"I'm not a businessman. I'm a business, man," Jay-Z says quite accurately in the remix to Kayne West's "Diamonds from Sierra Leone."
Here's some of his entrepreneurial highlights:
Roc-A-Fella Records
Jay-Z started Roc-A-Fella Records with his partners Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke in 1996. The label has released every one of the rapper's albums. It was sold to Def Jam Records in 2004 for $10 million and still houses popular artists such as Kanye West.
Rocawear
In 1999, Jay-Z co-founded Rocawear clothing, which can be found in department stores across the country. He sold the brand in 2007 for $204 million.
Def Jam Records
In 2004, Jay-Z was named president and CEO of Def Jam Records, the goliath hip-hop label that Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin founded in 1984. Among other things, the label launched the careers of the Beastie Boys and Run DMC and has gone on to release work from artists such as Nas, Redman, Method Man, Ludacris and DMX. Jay-Z stepped down in 2007.
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40/40 Club
Jay-Z's high-end sports bar and lounge opened in New York in 2003 and has since branched out to Atlantic City. He's looking to expand into cities such as Chicago and Tokyo.
New Jersey Nets
In 2004, Jay-Z became part owner of the NBA's New Jersey Nets. Jay-Z, along with some business partners, bought the franchise for $300 million.
Live Nation
Jay-Z left Def Jam records last year and signed a $150 million deal with Live Nation that, among other things, includes recordings and tours for the next decade.
So much for quitting rap.
