Rapper
Jay-Z
Jay-Z was born on December 4, 1969 in Brooklyn, New York. He released his debut album the year he turned 27, and released 'Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life' the year he turned 29.
Jay-Z was born in 1969 and is currently 56 years old. Anyone born before 1969 is older than Jay-Z.
Jay-Z is 56 years old in 2026, born on December 4, 1969 in Brooklyn, New York (Sagittarius).
Jay-Z is 56 years old in 2026 and turns 57 on December 4, 2026. Jay-Z's age in every year ↓
Born
December 4, 1969
World pop. at birth
~3.6B
Jay-Z's age
56
Your age
20
Are you older than Jay-Z?
No — Jay-Z was born in 1969. You were born in 2006, making you 37 years younger.
At your age (20), Jay-Z hadn't yet reached his first major milestone: he released his debut album the year he turned 27. That's 7 years from now for you.
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Jay-Z's age vs family
Jay-Z's Life Timeline
Shawn Corey Carter, known professionally as Jay-Z, was born on December 4, 1969, in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in the Marcy Houses, a public housing project, where he was exposed to the struggles of urban life. Jay-Z developed an interest in music at an early age, particularly hip-hop, which would later become his career. He began rapping in the late 1980s and quickly gained recognition for his lyrical prowess and unique style.
Read more
Jay-Z's career took off in the mid-1990s when he co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records and released his debut album, 'Reasonable Doubt,' in 1996. Over the years, he achieved significant success, releasing 14 #1 albums on the Billboard 200 chart, making him one of the most commercially successful artists in music history. He has won numerous awards, including 24 Grammy Awards, and has collaborated with various artists across genres, solidifying his status as a leading figure in the music industry.
In addition to his music career, Jay-Z has made a name for himself as a businessman, becoming a billionaire through various ventures, including his ownership of the Roc Nation entertainment company and investments in sports teams and liquor brands. He married singer Beyoncé in 2008, and they have three children together. Jay-Z's influence extends beyond music, as he has become a cultural icon and advocate for social justice, leaving a lasting legacy in both the entertainment and business worlds.
Released his debut album
Shawn Corey Carter was 27 years old when he released his debut album 'Reasonable Doubt.' This album is considered a classic in hip-hop and established him as a formidable lyricist and artist in the music industry.
Jay-Z turned 27 in 1996, the year he released his debut album. Are you older than Jay-Z was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Released 'Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life'
Jay-Z was 29 years old when he released 'Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life,' featuring the Grammy-winning title track. The album debuted at number one and sold over five million copies.
Jay-Z turned 29 in 1998, the year he released 'Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life'. Are you older than Jay-Z was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Founded Roc-A-Fella Records
Shawn Corey Carter was 31 years old when he co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records. This label played a crucial role in the careers of several prominent artists and contributed significantly to the hip-hop genre.
Jay-Z turned 31 in 2000, the year he founded Roc-A-Fella Records. Are you older than Jay-Z was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Released 'The Blueprint'
Jay-Z was 32 years old when he released 'The Blueprint,' widely regarded as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time, featuring production from Kanye West and Just Blaze.
Jay-Z turned 32 in 2001, the year he released 'The Blueprint'. Are you older than Jay-Z was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Won his first Grammy Award
Shawn Corey Carter was 33 years old when he won his first Grammy Award for Best Rap Album for 'The Blueprint.' This recognition marked a significant milestone in his career and solidified his place in the music industry.
Jay-Z turned 33 in 2002, the year he won his first Grammy Award. Are you older than Jay-Z was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Released 'The Black Album'
Jay-Z was 34 years old when he released 'The Black Album,' which he initially billed as his farewell album. It included the hit '99 Problems' and is considered a hip-hop classic.
Jay-Z turned 34 in 2003, the year he released 'The Black Album'. Are you older than Jay-Z was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Became a part-owner of the New Jersey Nets
Shawn Corey Carter was 37 years old when he became a part-owner of the New Jersey Nets. This move demonstrated his business acumen and interest in sports, expanding his influence beyond music.
Jay-Z turned 37 in 2006, the year he became a part-owner of the New Jersey Nets. Are you older than Jay-Z was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Married Beyoncé
Shawn Corey Carter was 39 years old when he married singer Beyoncé. Their union has been highly publicized and has made them one of the most influential couples in the entertainment industry.
Jay-Z turned 39 in 2008, the year he married Beyoncé. Are you older than Jay-Z was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Founded Roc Nation
Jay-Z was 39 years old when he founded Roc Nation, a full-service entertainment company that manages artists across music, sports, and entertainment.
Jay-Z turned 39 in 2008, the year he founded Roc Nation. Are you older than Jay-Z was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Released 'Watch the Throne' with Kanye West
Jay-Z was 42 years old when he released 'Watch the Throne,' a collaborative album with Kanye West that debuted at number one and spawned the hit 'N****s in Paris.'
Jay-Z turned 42 in 2011, the year he released 'Watch the Throne' with Kanye West. Are you older than Jay-Z was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Released '4:44'
Jay-Z was 48 years old when he released '4:44,' a deeply personal album addressing infidelity, family, and wealth. It was critically acclaimed and earned him multiple Grammy Awards.
Jay-Z turned 48 in 2017, the year he released '4:44'. Are you older than Jay-Z was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Became a billionaire
Shawn Corey Carter was 49 years old when he became a billionaire, according to Forbes. This achievement made him one of the wealthiest figures in the entertainment industry and highlighted his successful business ventures.
Jay-Z turned 49 in 2018, the year he became a billionaire. Are you older than Jay-Z was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
Shawn Corey Carter was 50 years old when he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. This honor recognized his contributions to music and songwriting, further cementing his legacy in the industry.
Jay-Z turned 50 in 2019, the year he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Are you older than Jay-Z was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Jay-Z was 52 years old when he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, becoming the first solo living hip-hop artist to receive the honor.
Jay-Z turned 52 in 2021, the year he was inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Are you older than Jay-Z was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Age by year
How old was Jay-Z in each year?
- 2026
- Jay-Z is 56 years old in 2026 and turns 57 on December 4, 2026.
- 1996
- Jay-Z was 26 at the start of 1996 and turned 27 on December 4, 1996. That year, he released his debut album.
- 1998
- Jay-Z was 28 at the start of 1998 and turned 29 on December 4, 1998. That year, he released 'Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life'.
- 2000
- Jay-Z was 30 at the start of 2000 and turned 31 on December 4, 2000. That year, he founded Roc-A-Fella Records.
- 2001
- Jay-Z was 31 at the start of 2001 and turned 32 on December 4, 2001. That year, he released 'The Blueprint'.
- 2002
- Jay-Z was 32 at the start of 2002 and turned 33 on December 4, 2002. That year, he won his first Grammy Award.
- 2003
- Jay-Z was 33 at the start of 2003 and turned 34 on December 4, 2003. That year, he released 'The Black Album'.
- 2008
- Jay-Z was 38 at the start of 2008 and turned 39 on December 4, 2008. That year, he married Beyoncé.
- 2011
- Jay-Z was 41 at the start of 2011 and turned 42 on December 4, 2011. That year, he released 'Watch the Throne' with Kanye West.
- 2017
- Jay-Z was 47 at the start of 2017 and turned 48 on December 4, 2017. That year, he released '4:44'.
- 2019
- Jay-Z was 49 at the start of 2019 and turned 50 on December 4, 2019. That year, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Jay-Z's age in every year
Ages change on December 4: the first number is before that birthday, the second after it.
- 19690 years old
- 19700 → 1 years old
- 19711 → 2 years old
- 19722 → 3 years old
- 19733 → 4 years old
- 19744 → 5 years old
- 19755 → 6 years old
- 19766 → 7 years old
- 19777 → 8 years old
- 19788 → 9 years old
- 19799 → 10 years old
- 198010 → 11 years old
- 198111 → 12 years old
- 198212 → 13 years old
- 198313 → 14 years old
- 198414 → 15 years old
- 198515 → 16 years old
- 198616 → 17 years old
- 198717 → 18 years old
- 198818 → 19 years old
- 198919 → 20 years old
- 199020 → 21 years old
- 199121 → 22 years old
- 199222 → 23 years old
- 199323 → 24 years old
- 199424 → 25 years old
- 199525 → 26 years old
- 199626 → 27 years old
- 199727 → 28 years old
- 199828 → 29 years old
- 199929 → 30 years old
- 200030 → 31 years old
- 200131 → 32 years old
- 200232 → 33 years old
- 200333 → 34 years old
- 200434 → 35 years old
- 200535 → 36 years old
- 200636 → 37 years old
- 200737 → 38 years old
- 200838 → 39 years old
- 200939 → 40 years old
- 201040 → 41 years old
- 201141 → 42 years old
- 201242 → 43 years old
- 201343 → 44 years old
- 201444 → 45 years old
- 201545 → 46 years old
- 201646 → 47 years old
- 201747 → 48 years old
- 201848 → 49 years old
- 201949 → 50 years old
- 202050 → 51 years old
- 202151 → 52 years old
- 202252 → 53 years old
- 202353 → 54 years old
- 202454 → 55 years old
- 202555 → 56 years old
- 202656 → 57 years old
