Prior to Jay-Z's rise to the top of an estimated $450 million empire, the 40-year-old mogul once thought that he would never see the light of day as a free citizen due to his troubled upbringing.
During a recent interview for his debut memoir, 'Decoded,' the Brooklyn rapper (born Shawn Carter) revealed to British newspaper The Guardian the thoughts that ran across his mind after shooting his brother over a stolen ring at age 12.
"I thought my life was over," he said. "I thought I'd go to jail for ever. It was terrible. I was a boy, a child. I was terrified. ...Guns were everywhere. You didn't have to go far to get one. Just everywhere. There were shootouts, but I never shot anyone else. Most people in shootouts don't get shot."
Although his brother, who Jay admitted was addicted to crack at the time, did not press charges on the future Grammy Award winner, he detailed the incident on his 1997 song 'You Must Love Me,' rapping, "Saw the devil in your eyes, high off more than weed, confused. I just closed my young eyes and squeezed."
For Hov (as he is also known) the dark period included being shot at three times-- and never hit. Of his assailants' poor aim, Jay-Z muses, "It's like there was some rogue angel watching over us." Perhaps a few hail Mary's are in order.
Jay-Z's 'Decoded' is available in stores now.
Jay-Z: Forty @ 40
For the better part of the last 15 years, the Brooklyn-bred hip hop icon Jay-Z has become one of the most respected men in and beyond the hip hop business. From his revered rap style to his savvy business acumen, the man known as Shawn Carter (and "Jigga," "Hov" and "Jay," among others monikers) is worthy of celebrating in a special way. Here are 40 things to know about Jay-Z.
Born on Dec. 4 1969, Shawn Corey Carter was the last of Gloria Carter's four children. Throughout his career, he has made his childhood stomping grounds -- Brooklyn's Marcy Houses Housing Projects -- one of the borough's most well-known neighborhoods.
With what many would describe as one of Hova's defining career moments, the rapper's breakout single came from the hands of 'The Nutty Professor' soundtrack. The motion picture's companion album featured Jigga's second single, 'Ain't No...' featuring then newcomer 17-year-old female MC, Foxy Brown.
New York's 'Finest' may have needed more than a 'Reasonable Doubt' to help stop Jay and Biggie's 1996 verbal assault. The Brooklyn duo traded lyrics from Marcy to Bed-Stuy on the classic track, 'Brooklyn's Finest.'
Jay-Z once told Foxy Brown no one could love her better, the MC turned around and attempted to hook up with Brown's raunchy rival Lil' Kim -- lyrically that is. Jigga and the self proclaimed Queen Bee gave fans a mouth full on the sexual charged track, 'Big Momma Thang' in 1996.
In midst of 1997's "shiny suit" era, Shawn Carter tried his luck on the Babyface and Foxy Brown assisted hit, 'Sunshine,' which was also complimented with a kaleidoscopic video.
It appeared veteran R&B powerhouse Angela Winbush loved money more than her former lover and musical partner René Moore. The singer reworked her original vocals from their classic 1980's hit 'I Love You More' on Notorious B.I.G.'s 'I Love the Dough' (featuring Jay-Z).
Back in 1998 the future music moguls and sought after rappers proclaimed that they avoided anything that didn't 'gleam clean' on the chart-topping hit 'Money Ain't A Thing.'
Jay-Z has garnered a total of five Grammy Awards to date. In 1999, he won 'Best Rap Album' for 'Vol. 2 ... Hard Knock Life.
If looks could kill, video vixen Gloria Velez left no innocent bystanders to witness her performance sequence during Jay's party anthem, 'Big Pimpin' video in 2000.