Jay Z Essay

The “Hard Knock Life” of Jay-Z

There are numerous of people who fought for change who fought for change by giving back to society. Jay-Z was one of those people. Jay-Z has gave back to the community for 19 years. He has contributed to education, national efforts and much more. He is an entrepreneur who has been blessed to give back to the community to support various causes.

Jay-Z was born Shawn Carter on December 4, 1969 in Brooklyn, New York. “His father, Adnes Reeves, left the family when Jay-Z was 11 years old. The young rapper was raised by his mother in Brooklyn’s drug-infested Marcy Projects.” (biography.com). He started selling drugs as a teenager, but would turn to rap to escape the violence. He attended George Westinghouse High School

He later changed it to Jay-Z to give respect to his mentor Jaz-O, as well as the subway “J/Z” that’s in Brooklyn. Jay-Z believed that Jazzy was “too glittery”. In 1996, Jay-Z and two close friends founded Roc-a-Fella Records. His first album, Reasonable Doubt, is considered as a classic in hip-hop. He won his first Grammy for Best Rap Album for Vol. 2 ...Hard Knock Life in 1998. In 2003, Jay-Z released the Black Album and announced his retirement. During his retirement, he founded the Shawn Carter Foundation to further individuals education who wanted to attend college. During the Shawn Carter Foundation the media asked why Jay-Z retired he said, “The game ain’t hot, I love when someone makes a hot album and then you’ve go to make a hot album. I love that. But it ain’t hot.” (Toure). What Jay-Z was trying to say the music industry was boring and not competitive. His creativity is heightened when there is competition. He proved that when he heard the Notorious B.I.G. new track. His music inspired him to come out of

Jay-Z created the Budweiser Made in America Festival which is an event that helps donate money to different charities. There was also a special area free of charge called Cause Village which donates money to various organizations. All of the tickets sold went to different charity organizations. According to an article about the event, Kevin Dow says, “We invest in initiatives that support youth success and family stability to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty in the Greater Philadelphia area and throughout South Jersey.” (Bolling). 100% of the proceeds were donated to other organizations in Philadelphia.

Jay-Z helped the people in Puerto Rico who were affected by Hurricane Maria. Jay-Z hosted a concert to help raise money for the tragedy. The money he raised, he bought supplies to be sent to Puerto Rico. According to Jay-Z, he said, “Leaving on Friday, October 7th, this first plane will carry 200,000 pounds of batteries, flashlights, portable lanterns, diapers, baby wipes, cases of water and feminine hygiene products."(Heller). Jay-Z did what he could to help others in need. He felt that he had been blessed and wanted give back to people in