Jay-Z has become the first Hip-Hop superstar to obtain a billion-dollar empire, but how did he make this happen? According to news articles, Jay was able to earn the title of billionaire through investments in liquor, art, real estate, and shares in growing companies like Uber. The breakdown is as follows
Armand de Brignac: $310 Million
The champagne brand is also known as Ace of Spades has been mentioned and used in Jay-Z’s music since 2006. Since his “Show Me What You Got video where Jay first mentioned the brand, the $300 bottle of alcohol has received a half a billion dollar value after the release of the Meek Mill song What’s Free.
Cash & Investments: $220 Million
With a strategic business mind, Jay holds a stake in Uber worth $70 million. According to sources, he brought his share for $2 million back in 2013.
D’Ussé: $100 Million
With a partnership with Bacardi, the cognac moves up to 200,000 cases and has grown 80% annually
Tidal: $100 Million
In 2015, Jay-Z purchased the Scandinavian streaming service’s parent company for $60 million. He relaunched Tidal later that year with a roster of celebrity investors including his wife, Beyoncé, Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, and other music artists
ROC Nation: $75 Million
This entertainment company created over a decade ago as part of a joint venture with concert giant Live Nation. Roc Nation represents some of the top stars in entertainment and sports such as Kevin Durant, Todd Gurley as well as its record label and artist-management members Rihanna, and J. Cole.
Music Catalog: $75 Million
Before becoming the president of Def Jam in 2004, Jay-Z negotiated the eventual return of his master recordings from the label that helped launch his career; in a separate deal with EMI, he retrieved his publishing rights. His songs now come close to 1 billion streams annually.
Art Collection: $70 Million
In the song “Picasso Baby,” Jay-Z boasted about a “Basquiat in my kitchen corner.” For over a decade, he’s been buying masterpieces like Basquiat’s “Mecca,” purchased in 2013 for a reported $4.5 million. “He’s rapped about it all in detail,” says Fab 5 Freddy, a contemporary and friend of the late painter. “Jay-Z helped educate millions of hip-hop fans mentioning Jean-Michel.”
Real Estate: $50 Million
After welcoming twins in 2017, Jay-Z and Beyoncé bought a pair of homes to match: a $26 million East Hampton mansion and a $88 million Bel Air estate. Jay-Z also owns a Tribeca penthouse, he purchased for $6.85 million in 2004.