Jay Z's Biggest (And Best) Career Moves
“I’m not a business man, I’m a business, man...”
Jay Z said it best, and he definitely wasn’t lying. Since taking control of the business side of his career—after an infamous public split from former business partner, Damon Dash—Hov has been single-handedly building an empire for himself. From a sports bar to a sports agency, this man is a boss in every sense of the word. Check out 10 of Jay Z’s biggest business moves to see how he made being a CEO just as lucrative as his multiplatinum music career.
Jay Z Launches A Chain Of Sports Bars Called ‘The 40/40 Club’ (2003)
Over the years since launching in 2003, The 40/40 Club has been host to tons of epic nights. Named after the elite set of athletes who can claim 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a single season, the line of sports bars have four locations in Manhattan, Atlantic City, Las Vegas, and the newly opened Brooklyn/Barclays venue. Stop by and have some wings while catching a game.
Jay Z Becomes President/CEO Of Def Jam Recordings (2005)
Even though this lasted for only two years, Jay’s time spent at Def Jam as CEO wasn’t a waste. He helped launch the careers of R&B heavyweights Rihanna and Ne-Yo, as well as releasing yet another number one album, 2006’s Kingdom Come. Besides, “CEO of Def Jam” sounds lovely on a resume.
Jay Z And Nas End Their Decade-Long Rap Beef (2005)
This union was a great business move, simply because of the message it relayed. Beef is never a good thing to keep going—especially in hip-hop. Seeing both Jay Z and Nas together on stage after years of tumultuous exchanges on wax, the hip-hop culture as a whole really got a chance to see an example of what could’ve been if Tupac and Biggie put aside their differences before things got ugly.
Jay Z Signs Rihanna To Island Def Jam (2005)
Who could’ve known that a Barbadian beauty from “the left side of an island” would become one the most successful pop acts of the new millennium? Jay Z, of course. Since signing Ri-Ri to a six-album deal back in 2005, Hov hasn’t regretted the decision since—especially with Rihanna’s latest album, Unapologetic, garnering the highest first-week sales of her career. That Rihanna reign just won’t let up, and you can call Jay Z the weatherman.
Jay Z Teams With The Smiths To Invest In ‘Carol’s Daughter’ (2005)
Here’s one you probably didn’t know. Back in 2005, The New York Post reported that Jay Z had teamed with Will and Jada Pinkett Smith to invest in Lisa Price’s beauty supply company, Carol’s Daughter. Taking stock in the lucrative market of beauty products is pretty unexpected—particularly for a male hip-hop star—but nonetheless extremely clever. Good move, Hov.
Jay Z Gets Married To Pop Superstar Beyoncé (2008)
The union of marriage is a big business move regardless of who you are, but especially when it’s to the biggest female pop star to hit the stage since 2003. Jay-Z and Beyoncé are a power couple in every way possible, and uniting two such powerful brands can only be lucrative, as well as loving. On top of everything, have you seen Beyoncé’s, well, everything? Jay Z is definitely a lucky (and smart) man.
Jay Z Launches Roc Nation (2008)
After splitting with Dame and selling his share of Rocafella Records, Jay decided to keep the music rolling with a new imprint, Roc Nation. What made this decision such a good business deal was that he partnered with Live Nation. Covering music, management, and the tour/venue aspect of things, Jay Z definitely put himself in great position with Roc Nation—both as an artist and music mogul.
Jay Z Acts As Curator For Budweiser’s Made In America Festival (2012)
It makes sense that Hov’s next big move would create a platform that has engaged him directly with the fans. Creating an actual music festival not only provides a place for his Roc Nation roster to show off their skills, it also set forth a series of shows that have now reached annual status.
Jay Z Becomes A Sports Agent With Roc Nation Sports (2013)
Although Hov isn’t a stranger to getting into the sports realm (see: Brooklyn Nets), becoming “Jay-Z, Sports Agent” launches his brand onto a completely different level. Unlike his ownership in the Nets, being a sports agent allows him to delve into sports outside of basketball—opening up his entrepreneurial reach to a far bigger range of talent.
Jay Z Goes Platinum Overnight, Via Deal With Samsung (2013)
Getting a major company to buy the first million copies of his new album, Magna Carta Holy Grail—which resulted in an automatic Platinum certification—is probably the biggest thing Jay has done when it comes to business power moves. Call it what you want, but moves like this define generations of music and show you who the real power players are in this business. Time will tell if someone else can match Hov’s overnight-platinum status, but he’ll always be known as the first to successfully do it on a grand level like this.
“I’m not a business man, I’m a business, man…”
Jay Z said it best, and he definitely wasn’t lying. Since taking control of the business side of his career—after an infamous public split from former business partner, Damon Dash—Hov has been single-handedly building an empire for himself. From a sports bar to a sports agency, this man is a boss in every sense of the word. Check out 10 of Jay Z’s biggest business moves to see how he made being a CEO just as lucrative as his multiplatinum music career.