Jay-Z has built a musical legacy laden with number-one hits and awards and boasts a reputation for being a rap icon.
A successful artist, record producer, and entrepreneur, Jay-Z is also known for being the husband of another top celebrity – Beyoncé.
The combined net worth of the power couple is about $1.8 billion, so they can afford to live in the world’s most expensive and magnificent houses.
Below, you can find more details about their property that will leave you speechless.
Jay-Z: A Brief Bio
Shawn Carter, also known as Jay-Z, grew up in a low-income family in Brooklyn. Living in a disadvantaged neighborhood left him few choices, so he ended up engaging in drug dealing, like many of his peers.
Luckily, his life took a drastic turn when he established Roc-A-Fella Records in 1995. He recorded his debut album, Reasonable Doubt there, and entered the rap scene as one of the most promising artists.
He quickly moved up the career ladder, earning his first Grammy in 1999. His most notable achievements in the music industry include 13 albums and numerous collaborations with world-famous artists like Linkin Park, Kanye West, Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, and many others.
He also helped launch some of the most successful careers (e.g., Rihanna’s). In 2021, the artist was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
As Jay-Z kept producing his countless chart-topping hits and managing his recording company, he also demonstrated unmatched business acumen.
He began by increasing his capital by purchasing the copyright to his songs. Then, a string of successful business deals followed, such as the launch of the Rocawear brand in 1999, which the rapper sold for $204 million in 2007.
Today, Jay-Z has everything a man could wish for: a beautiful wife and a fortune that is even hard to imagine. However, he is certainly not willing to stop.
The rapper continues to set up profitable businesses and invest in expensive real estate, cars, and art.
Jay-Z Personal Life
In 2008, Jay-Z married one of the most celebrated performers of our times, Beyoncé. The couple had a daughter named Blue Ivy Carter in 2012 and twins Rumi and Sir in 2017.
Jay-Z has always been very protective of his personal life. However, in his latest album, 4:44, Jay-Z admitted to infidelity, which fans perceived as a response to Beyoncé’s own critically acclaimed album, Lemonade, on which she revealed her marriage problems.
Jay-Z Businesses and Financial Status
Jay-Z officially became a billionaire in 2019. In 2022, his net worth was valued at $1.3 billion.
Although Jay-Z earned tons of money during his rap career, much of his fortune comes from his shares in lucrative businesses, including the following (some of them have been sold, earning him hundreds of millions of dollars):
- Streaming service Tidal
- Roc Nation and Roc Nation Sports
- Restaurant chain Club 40/40
- A clothing brand Rocawear
- Champagne brand Armand de Brignac
As if these successes were not enough, Jay-Z launched his cannabis business in 2020. His brand called Monogram produces hand-made luxury joints marketed as premium cigars.
Each costs around $50, so these are the most expensive cannabis-based products on the market.
Forbes reported that Jay-Z is not simply the face of the brand – he performs executive functions and is closely engaged in brand development.
If you want to get a glimpse of Jay-Z’s pre-rolls but are looking for something less pricey, check out CBD pre-roll cigarettes.
Jay-Z is also known as an art connoisseur. He has been collecting works of art for years, so his collection is currently worth about $70 million.
One of the most precious pieces he owns is Jean-Michel Basquiat’s painting “Mecca,” which he bought for $4.47 million.
Where Does Jay-Z Live
With some serious cash in his wallet, it’s no surprise that Jay-Z owns the largest and most luxurious property.
The rapper owns several houses in the Hamptons, a 30,000-square-foot property in Bel-Air, a penthouse in Tribeca, and even several private islands. Let’s look closer into some of these mind-blowing houses.
The Bel Air Mansion
If you are wondering where Jay-Z spends most of his time with his family, the answer is pretty obvious.
It’s one of the most expensive properties in the US and by far the largest investment in Jay-Z’s career. In 2017, the rapper bought the Bel Air mansion for a whopping $88 million.
The house has eight bedrooms and 11 bathrooms and has a 9302-meter outdoor living space that provides plenty of privacy to the power couple and their children.
The house has everything for comfortable living:
- A 15-car garage
- A spa
- A home cinema
- Four pools (including an impressive rooftop infinity pool overlooking Bel Air)
- Basketball court
- Bulletproof windows
- Staff quarters
When Jay-Z and Beyoncé bought the mansion, they spent around $700,000 on renovating the home to suit their design preferences.
The house’s interior is described as elegantly minimalist, with white walls, lots of glass, and beautiful art.
The house was created by renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando and took more than ten years to build.
It is estimated that about 7,645 cubic yards of concrete were used to construct the mansion, and even more was used for driveaways and motor courts.
The modernist glass-and-concrete structure is located on the bluff’s edge in Malibu, CA. It has stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and an expansive lawn on either side to enjoy the scenery.
The house was originally commissioned by the prominent Los Angeles art collector Bill Bell, Jr., who wanted an impressive house to match his art collection featuring the works of Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, Marcel Duchamp, and other artists.
No doubt, the house has become a great place to display the collection of its current owner.
East Hampton Mansion
Like any other billionaire, Jay-Z owns more than one house. His $26 million-worth East Hampton mansion is another work of art.
Designed by Stanford White, the house is located on the Georgica Pond and is surrounded by a 17-acre nature preserve.
The house is definitely more than a summer retreat, featuring the following:
- Seven bedrooms
- Seven bathrooms
- A 30-foot-high living room
- Private water space
- A pool
- 1,800-square-foot guest cottage
Inside, the house boasts a country-luxe interior design that is opulent but not too overpowering.
Oak paneling, marble fireplaces, and lots of sunlight make this home perfect for ultimate relaxation away from bustling city life.
NYC Penthouse
Jay-Z’s penthouse overlooking Central Park in New York is also worth mentioning.
The 5,500-square-foot four-bedroom apartment has a breathtaking view of Manhattan, which Jay-Z enjoys through 22-foot floor-to-ceiling windows.
What makes this penthouse stand out is a 1,500-square-foot outdoor space perfect for entertaining guests in the heart of the iconic scenery.
The urban hideaway located in one of the most expensive buildings exceeds expectations by offering:
- A 24-hour doorman
- A concierge
- A clubroom
- A fitness center
- A communal terrace
To get a glimpse of the interior design, check Jay-Z’s 2007 “Blue Magic” music video, which, among other things, shows a spectacular spiral staircase connecting the 19th and 20th floors occupied by the rapper.
Jay-Z’s Empire State of Mind Apartment
If you are an attentive Jay-Z fan, you know about another property of his mentioned in the 2009 hit “Empire State of Mind.”
Jay-Z lived in this two-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn in 1996 and 1997, at the beginning of his career.
The apartment’s design makes it a great bachelor’s place:
- Plenty of room for guests
- Oversized windows
- 10-foot ceilings
- Hardwood floors
- A small kitchenette
- Two bedrooms
- A roof deck with views of Lower Manhattan
- An office space
Back in the 1990s, the neighborhood was not considered a nice place to live, but things have changed immensely in the NYC real estate market.
The area is now filled with independent shops, fancy bars and restaurants, and a well-developed infrastructure for comfortable living.
If you have a spare $1.4 million, you have a chance to purchase this iconic apartment because Jay-Z has recently put it on sale.
Conclusion
Jay-Z’s savvy investments allow him to own some of the most spectacular properties in the world.
From the huge Bel Air mansion to a penthouse in NYC that oozes success, Jay-Z’s property is made to impress. With the rapper’s immaculate taste and love for art, Jay-Z’s houses are destined to stand out.
