From humble beginnings in Brooklyn to the big time in the music business and beyond, these superstars are inspirations on turning one's life around. These Grammy-winners emerged as innovators and influencers who brought hip hop into the mainstream.
Beyonce's better half is a rapper, songwriter, record executive and producer, as well as a billionaire businessman whose portfolio includes liquor, art, real estate and stakes in companies like Uber.
Queen Bee made her millions as a rapper, model and actress. Her 1997 album Hard Core is considered the greatest rap record of all time.
From bold lyrics to even bolder personas, the performers have paid their success forward with The Shawn Carter Foundation that funds college educations for low-income students and Lil' Kim Cares Foundation that raises funds and awareness for national programs assisting with homelessness, HIV/AIDS prevention, transitional living, neglect and violence against women and children.
15 They're Childhood Friends
"I love Jay-Z. We've Been friends since 15 years old," the She's All That actress told Black Voices.
Shawn Corey Carter grew up in the crime-filled Marcy housing projects in Bedford-Stuyvesant. Kimberly Denise Jones also hails from Bed-Sty but left home at 14. They both circulated in a world of drugs with a criminal element. Neither graduated high school.
14 Their Zodiac Signs Are Incompatible
She's a Cancer and he's a Sagittarius, one of the most challenging relationships to make work. A woman born under the crab sign is super sensitive and moody and wants to make a home with her mate. A man who's astrological symbol is the archer is the wild child of the zodiac who values his freedom. 'Nuf said.
13 They Loved Notorious B.I.G.
Rap legend Christopher George Latore Wallace (1972-1997) aka Biggie Smalls had a long affair with the Big Momma Thang rapper, even during his marriage to R&B star Faith Evans. The Where I'm From and Mo Money Mo Problems singers were high school friends who then became colleagues in the music industry.
12 They Support Each Other's Events
From celebrations of club openings and record launches, the I Know What Girls Like duo show up to raise a glass for each other. The Notorious K.I.M. hit-maker was even there the night in 1999 when the Hard Knock Life chart-topper stabbed Lance "Un" Rivera, then subsequently turned himself in.
11 They've Collaborated Professionally
Over their many years, the male and female rappers have been featured on each other's albums, with their very big moment coming in the mid-2000s when the industry powerhouse signed the glamorous songstress to a $150 million recording, touring, and branding agreement with his Roc Live Nation label, which also handled music publishing and talent management.
10 They Dated
The two New York natives dated from 1998 to 2000. The coupling began when the entrepreneur had the major hit Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem) and ended with the release of The Dynasty: Roc La Familia. During those years, the Queen Bee Entertainment mogul modeled for fashion companies such as Candie's and Baby Phat.
9 They Were Called Out In Tupac's Letter
Even though he was born in East Harlem, this trademark banana-wearing rapper became the head of the West Coast hip hop scene. In the original liner notes for the singer's final studio album, The Don Kiluminati: The 7 Day Theory before he was murdered, he got the last word in beefs with fellow rap greats.
8 They Were Each Involved With Foxy Brown
One was allegedly romantic and the other was a plain ol' beef. Guess which was with whom? The Oh Yeah singer's track Let Em Know alluded to a relationship with Beyonce's hubby and expressed annoyance with the Dancing With The Stars contestant, specifically her being on the show and disloyalty to the BK.
7 There's Been Disappointment
After a 2001 shoot out with a rival group by members of her entourage, the reality star was charged with perjury, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice then sent to jail for a year and a day, given a $50K fine and three years probation. The Empire State Of Mind singer supposedly did not visit her in prison.
6 They're Raising Daughters
The Blueprint performer has three children with the Crazy in Love superstar--Blue Ivy, and a set of twins: another girl named Rumi and a boy named Sir.
The little girl of the Lady Marmalade collaborator (she sang with Christina Aguilera, Mya, and Pink on the Missy Elliott cover) is Royal Reign whose father is rapper Mr. Papers.
