Happy 43rd Birthday Hov! Jay-Z's 10 Biggest Moments Of 2012
A decade and over 11 studio albums later, Jay-Z has accomplished a plethora of feats not only in the studio but in the public eye.
From building an arena in his neck of the woods to becoming a daddy, Jiggaman, or simply Shawn Carter, embodies all nessary traits to be one of hip-hop's leading moguls and is destined to expand his empire. He said it best, "I'm not a businessman, I'm a business, man."
In celebration of his 43rd birthday, check out this gallery of his top 10 biggest moments.
CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO BEGIN
From building an arena in his neck of the woods to becoming a daddy, Jiggaman, or simply Shawn Carter, embodies all nessary traits to be one of hip-hop's leading moguls and is destined to expand his empire. He said it best, "I'm not a businessman, I'm a business, man."
In celebration of his 43rd birthday, check out this gallery of his top 10 biggest moments.
CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO BEGIN
Hello, Blue Ivy!
Undoubtedly the highlight of Hov’s year, the rap mogul and his superstar wife Beyonce welcomed their first daughter on Jan. 7. Blue Ivy Carter -- the spark that ignited the start of an incredible year for Jay-Z -- became the subject of the rapper’s most touching track to date, “Glory.” The song -- featuring the coos of B.I.C. herself -- caught fire , making Blue Ivy the youngest person to ever appear on the Billboard charts. Beyonce also indulged in motherhood with the release of a Tumblr page featuring pictures of their new bundle of joy.
Undoubtedly the highlight of Hov’s year, the rap mogul and his superstar wife Beyonce welcomed their first daughter on Jan. 7. Blue Ivy Carter -- the spark that ignited the start of an incredible year for Jay-Z -- became the subject of the rapper’s most touching track to date, “Glory.” The song -- featuring the coos of B.I.C. herself -- caught fire , making Blue Ivy the youngest person to ever appear on the Billboard charts. Beyonce also indulged in motherhood with the release of a Tumblr page featuring pictures of their new bundle of joy.
Charge It To The Game
What’s a year for Jay-Z without new business deals? 2012 marked the beginning of the mogul’s endorsement of the nifty new Duracell Powermat. Though the charger proved to be practical new technology, the commercial -- which features Jay taking a call from Beyonce -- made it that more attractive.
What’s a year for Jay-Z without new business deals? 2012 marked the beginning of the mogul’s endorsement of the nifty new Duracell Powermat. Though the charger proved to be practical new technology, the commercial -- which features Jay taking a call from Beyonce -- made it that more attractive.
Pour It Up
El jefe took it to the head with a new cognac called D'usse (doo-say), and made it the beverage of choice at his home turf the Barclays Center in Brooklyn (more on this later).
El jefe took it to the head with a new cognac called D'usse (doo-say), and made it the beverage of choice at his home turf the Barclays Center in Brooklyn (more on this later).
Nothin' But Net
The talk of the Nets’ migration to center of New York City and Jay-Z’s hometown was just talk until the team’s new identity started taking shape. Spearheading the move as a partial owner of the team, Hov was also an integral part of the design of the Brooklyn Nets’ new logo in April. Since the opening of their new home at Barclays Center, the backing of the borough has led the team to placing among the top teams in the NBA’s Eastern Conference. After hitting the original hometown heroes the Knicks with defeat, Shawn took to his Twitter to put the neighborhood on notice: "The city is under new management." Hova also instituted a branch of his famed 40/40 club in the venue.
The talk of the Nets’ migration to center of New York City and Jay-Z’s hometown was just talk until the team’s new identity started taking shape. Spearheading the move as a partial owner of the team, Hov was also an integral part of the design of the Brooklyn Nets’ new logo in April. Since the opening of their new home at Barclays Center, the backing of the borough has led the team to placing among the top teams in the NBA’s Eastern Conference. After hitting the original hometown heroes the Knicks with defeat, Shawn took to his Twitter to put the neighborhood on notice: "The city is under new management." Hova also instituted a branch of his famed 40/40 club in the venue.
It Was The Best of Times
While Jay makes a rare appearance on the Twitter streets, he still initiated a digital take-over in the form of his new site and YouTube channel Life + Times, featuring a variety of special interest shows and lyrical breakdowns for the culture-hungry.
While Jay makes a rare appearance on the Twitter streets, he still initiated a digital take-over in the form of his new site and YouTube channel Life + Times, featuring a variety of special interest shows and lyrical breakdowns for the culture-hungry.
Self-Made
It’s not everyday that your favorite rap star headlines his own music festival, so Jay-Z’s “Made in America,” was quite special, to say the least. The rapper brought the likes of Drake, MMG, G.O.O.D Music, Run DMC, D’Angelo and many others to perform at the first annual event in Philadelphia this past September. During his own set, Hov revealed the most talked about cameo of the two-day event: a video with President Barack Obama. How he plans to top that next year, we have no idea.
It’s not everyday that your favorite rap star headlines his own music festival, so Jay-Z’s “Made in America,” was quite special, to say the least. The rapper brought the likes of Drake, MMG, G.O.O.D Music, Run DMC, D’Angelo and many others to perform at the first annual event in Philadelphia this past September. During his own set, Hov revealed the most talked about cameo of the two-day event: a video with President Barack Obama. How he plans to top that next year, we have no idea.
Presidential Suite
Hip-hop's first couple hosted a special Obama fundraiser in the heat of election season. The couple reportedly helped raise $4 million for the President’s campaign at the event which took place at Jay's exclusive 40/40 club, charging $40,000 per ticket.
Hip-hop's first couple hosted a special Obama fundraiser in the heat of election season. The couple reportedly helped raise $4 million for the President’s campaign at the event which took place at Jay's exclusive 40/40 club, charging $40,000 per ticket.
Ball So Hard
NBA2K13 didn’t really need any help flying off the shelves this year. The highly-anticipated basketball video game is always sought after by throngs of gamers who stand on lines to cop it every year. And just when you thought there could be no improvements to such a well-oiled machine, enter Jay-Z. Coming on as executive producer for this year’s version of NBA2K, Hov revamped the soundtrack by adding Kanye West, Coldplay and U2 to the lineup.
NBA2K13 didn’t really need any help flying off the shelves this year. The highly-anticipated basketball video game is always sought after by throngs of gamers who stand on lines to cop it every year. And just when you thought there could be no improvements to such a well-oiled machine, enter Jay-Z. Coming on as executive producer for this year’s version of NBA2K, Hov revamped the soundtrack by adding Kanye West, Coldplay and U2 to the lineup.
Standing O
Hov's support for his bestie Barack includes performing at a rally when the Prez calls in a favor. Jay-Z joined Bruce Springsteen at Obama's Ohio campaign and made his performance memorable with a lyrical twist: ""I got 99 problems but a Mitt aint one."
Hov's support for his bestie Barack includes performing at a rally when the Prez calls in a favor. Jay-Z joined Bruce Springsteen at Obama's Ohio campaign and made his performance memorable with a lyrical twist: ""I got 99 problems but a Mitt aint one."
Homecoming King
There was absolutely no other way to christen the Brooklyn Nets' new home at Barclays Center than with a Jay-Z concert -- better yet, eight. In a display of overachievement mixed with over-appreciation, Hov took to the stage for an emotional homecoming, performing for some of his biggest fans in his native Brooklyn. As if blasting through hits from every studio album for seven shows was not enough, the rapper ended the series with an extra special finale. While streaming live for the fans that did not get to witness the history in person, Beyonce joined Jay-Z on stage for the eighth night.
And this year, Jay-Z plans to close it out just like he started it: with a bang. The rapper plans to end 2012 at none other than Barclays Center, with a two-night concert event featuring Coldplay.
There was absolutely no other way to christen the Brooklyn Nets' new home at Barclays Center than with a Jay-Z concert -- better yet, eight. In a display of overachievement mixed with over-appreciation, Hov took to the stage for an emotional homecoming, performing for some of his biggest fans in his native Brooklyn. As if blasting through hits from every studio album for seven shows was not enough, the rapper ended the series with an extra special finale. While streaming live for the fans that did not get to witness the history in person, Beyonce joined Jay-Z on stage for the eighth night.
And this year, Jay-Z plans to close it out just like he started it: with a bang. The rapper plans to end 2012 at none other than Barclays Center, with a two-night concert event featuring Coldplay.
