Jay-Z has earned a lot of fame as an American rapper, hip-hop singer, and also successful entrepreneur. Currently, a question has been searched on the internet “Is Jay-Z Retired?”
Yes, Jay-Z retired from hip-hop in 2003 when he was 33 years old. But the retirement did not last long. Three years later he back to his musical career again.
Recently, Jay-Z released a new music video song “Success 2” feat. Nas. This song got almost one million views on YouTube within a short time. However, retirement is not a cut-and-dry thing for a rapper.
Related Read: Is Jay Z Jamaican
Why did Jay-Z Retire?
Jay-Z was bored with hip-hop and that is why he made a decision to retire from his music career. Finally, the rapper retired from his music career in 2003.
That year, he had held a concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City billed as a retirement party. Later, it focused on his documentary film about his career “Fade to Black.”
At the time of retirement, Jay-Z had to follow various side projects and appearances. When he attested a retirement from making new albums, he released “Unfinished Business.”
It was the second & final collaboration album which was released by Jay-Z and R. Kelly. Jay-Z was ready to stop his rapping career in 2003. The superstar rapper was feeling nostalgic at that time due to the new millennium rolling around.
Thus he made his retirement decision. Jay-Z missed the old days of hip hop at the time of his retirement. While Biggie & Tupac challenged each other for making better music than each other, Jay-Z was far from his music life.
Jay-Z had staged one of the most famous farewells for his retirement. It was held in New York City, the United States. Surprisingly, he gives all proceeds to charity from the concert.
Does Jay-Z Back to His Career?
Yes, Jay-Z was back to his music career three years later of his retirement. He retired from his musical career in 2003 and went back to his career in 2006.
The superstar rapper returned and released a new album “Kingdom Come” on 21st November 2006. It was the ninth studio album of Jay-Z. “Show Me What You Got” was the comeback single of the rapper.
The song was leaked on the internet and got lots of views within a short time. Thus he informed his fans about his comeback from retirement. Jay-Z released a lot of hit songs from that time to now.
By the way, most of the fans were not considered Jay-Z to be retired. The American rapper went back to his music career and made his fame again as a superstar hip hop artist.
Jay-Z’s Musical Career
The American rapper Jay-Z started his music career in 1995 by releasing his debut single “In My Lifetime.” One year later, he released his debut album “Reasonable Doubt.”
After releasing the album, Jay-Z became a famous rapper in the United States. Because the debut album took place at number 23 on the Billboard 200 & also achieved platinum status.
In 1997, Jay-Z dealt with a multinational record label and released his second musical album “My Lifetime, Vol. 1.” Jay-Z’s biggest hit song was Hard Knock Life at that time.
His third studio album got the most commercially successful album which was certified 5× Platinum. Surprisingly, the album sold over five million copies at that time & won a Grammy Award.
However, he took retirement from his music career and went back later. Jay-Z released several hit albums during his whole career. One of the best albums is “4:44.” It is the thirteenth studio album by Jay-Z.
Other Ventures
Jay-Z is an entrepreneur besides his rapping career. He is a successful businessman in several industries like clothing lines, beverages, real estate, sports teams & record labels.
Jay-Z founded an American Clothing Brand “Rocawear” in 1999 with Damon Dash. On the other hand, he is the co-owner of a sports bar the “40/40 Club.” Jay-Z rolled as a part-owner of the “Brooklyn Nets” basketball team for about ten years.
The American rapper co-founded a record label “Roc-A-Fella Record” in the late 1980s. Jay-Z was the early supporter of the candidacy of former U.S. President Barack Obama.
Jay-Z’s New Songs in 2022
In 2022, Jay-Z released a couple of music videos including “Success 2.” His first feature was a collaboration with Pusha-T’s album “It’s Almost Dry” in 2022.
Now Jay-Z is one of the most talented rappers in the United States. Currently, he did not officially announce his retirement.