Jay-Z is a rapper, songwriter and businessman who has a net worth of $500 million. Jay-Z has earned his net worth through his career in the music industry, beginning as co-founder (with Damon Dash and Kareem Biggs) of Roc-A-Fella records, where he began his recording career. In 1996, released his first album, Reasonable Doubt, with Priority Records. It ranked 248 on Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Albums of all Time. After that, he signed with Def Jam and released his next album, "In My Lifetime, Volume 1." This album had much to do with Jay-Z's life in his earlier years. It won platinum status. A year later, he released "Volume 2, Hard Knock Life," which has sold over five million copies and is five times platinum. With continued success, Jay-Z's net worth is expected to reach $1 billion or more within his lifetime. A truly incredible achievement for any celebrity. Here are the facts:

Clothing: Jay sold Rocaware clothing, which he co-founded, for $204 million back in 2007. If Rocaware met certain performance milestones he could pull down an additional $35 million in Iconix (the buyer) stock.

Records: Every single album he's ever released (over 15) have gone platinum.

Endorsements: Chevy, Budweiser, Armadale Vodka, Hewlett Packard

Concerts: His recent deal with Live Nation is reportedly worth $150 million

Miscellaneous: Jay's ownership stake in the New Jersey Nets, Arsenal Football Club, 40/40 nighclubs, Def Jam Records

His success as a solo artist is well known, but he has also performed with other recording artists, such as, The Edge, Mariah Carey, U2′s Bono Rihanna, and more. Jay-Z also has produced a musical titled, "Fela," along with Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, in celebration of Nigerian political activist, Fela Kuti. Jay-Z is known for his rythym and ryhme technique to him that perfect flow in his performances. He is also known for his ability to create lyrics in his head. Along with his musical career, Jay-Z has also appeared in films, such as, Back Stage, State Property, Streets is Watching, Paper Soldiers and Fade to Black. Fade to Black is a documentary about Jay-Z's career. There are many other performers in the cast of Fade to Black. Performers such as, Bleek, Beyonce, Funkmaster Flex, and many more talented artists.

Jay-Z is also a very successful entrepreneur with investments in clothing and record companies, as well as, being the co-owner of the 40/40 Clubs, in New York City, Atlantic City, and Chicago. He is the co-director of Budweiser Select and part owner of NBA's New Jersey Jets. Jay-Z has also been involved with helping to make people aware of the global water shortage. He has contributed $1 million to help with the victims of Hurricane Katrina, through the American Red Cross.

Jay-Z, along with fellow minority owner Bruce Ratner and majority owner Mikhail Prokhorov, have announced the official move of the New Jersey Nets to Brooklyn, with the team being renamed the Brooklyn Nets.

Jay-Z was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1969 and had a tough upbringing, with a father who abandoned him and getting mixed up in selling drugs. He attended Whitney High School, George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School, and Trenton Central High School, in Trenton, New Jersey. Jay-Z had a love of music and rythym, even as a child. After his mother bought him a boom box for his birthday, Jay-Z became creating his own style of hip hop. In 2002, Jay-Z worked with Beyonce in the song, "03-Bonnie & Clyde," as well as her hit single, "Crazy in Love," and "That's How You Like it." He made appearances in several of Beyonce performances. In 2008, Beyonce and Jay-Z were married, and have been named the top earning couple in the music industry. The power couple welcomed their first child Blue Ivy on January 8th 2012.