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The Evolution of Jay Z - If you're a true Jay Z fan, you already know that today, Dec. 4, is Sean Carter's born day, thanks to the opener of The Black Album. But even if you aren't (wait — you aren't?), it's impossible to front on Hov's contributions to hip hop over his 44 years on the planet. It's hard to argue with 11 No. 1 albums—that's more than Elvis — and 50 million records sold worldwide. On top of all that, as a record exec — one worth nearly half a billi — he's helped usher in amazing artists like Kanye West, Rihanna and J. Cole. And let's just say his arm-candy game, whether he's escorting his wife or carrying his new baby, is top-notch as well. Click on to see the evolution of Jay Z, from the streets of Bed-Stuy to the top of the world. — Alex Gale (Photo: Jamie McCarthy/WireImage)

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Say Hello - Born Shawn Corey Carter on Dec. 4, 1969, Jay was raised in the Marcy housing project in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. He had a rough childhood by any measure: He was abandoned by his father, shot his brother in the shoulder for stealing his jewelry in 1982, and was heavily involved in drug dealing. (Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc)

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Allow Me to Introduce Myself - With that extra-dope Biggie collabo in his back pocket — not to mention help from Mary J. Blige and Foxy Brown (on hit singles "Can't Knock the Hustle" and "Ain't No N---a") — Jay introduced himself via his classic debut album, 1996's platinum-selling Reasonable Doubt. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Roc Boys - Reasonable Doubt was released via Roc-A-Fella Records, which Jay started in 1995 with Damon Dash and Kareem Biggs when no major label would sign him. Bankrolled by Jay's success, the label would go on to sign acts like Memphis Bleek, Beanie Sigel, and Kanye West. Dash, Biggs and Jay later launched Rocawear, one of the most successful urban clothing brands of all time. (Photo: Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect)

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Breakout Star - Jay released another dope platinum LP, In My Lifetime...Vol. 1, in 1997, but his true mainstream breakthrough arrived the following year with "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)." The Annie-sampling smash led Jay to his first No. 1 album, with Vol. 2...Hard Knock Life.  (Photo: SGranitz/WireImage)

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Game Changer - Jay released yet another No. 1 album, The Dynasty: Roc La Familia, in 2000. But it was the next year that he truly confirmed his status as one of the best to ever do it, by releasing The Blueprint. Packed with introspective verses and soulful production from then newcomers Just Blaze and Kanye West, the album, arguably Jay's best, hit No. 1 despite dropping on Sept. 11, 2011.

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Battle of the Titans - One of the standout cuts from The Blueprint was "Takeover," on which Jay took shots at Mobb Deep and Nas. The song led to a bitter war with Nas, who responded with the scathing "Ether." Jay stumbled when he released the less-dope, way-too-personal "Supa Ugly" in response, and later apologized. The two eventually reconciled, and Jay even signed Nas in 2006 when he was president of Def Jam. (Photo: Jerritt Clark/WireImage)

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From Marcy to Madison Square - After The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse (yet another No. 1 of course), Jay announced he was releasing one more album and then retiring. His purported swan song, 2003's The Black Album, was simply fantastic, boasting classics like "Encore," "99 Problems," and "Dirt Off Your Shoulder," and selling 3 million copies in the U.S. alone. Jay said good-bye — for now — with an unforgettable concert at Madison Square Garden, and a film documenting it, Fade to Black. (Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

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The Carter Administration - Most folks move to Florida to play bridge when they retire. Not Jay. He became president of Def Jam, splitting with his partners Dash and Riggs, and selling the Roc-A-Fella imprint to his new employer. During his three-year tenure he signed Rihanna and helped launch the careers of Kanye West and Ne-Yo. (Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images for NARAS)

Photo By Larry Busacca/Getty Images for NARAS

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The Ruler's Back - "Can't leave rap alone the game need me," Jigga rapped on 2001's "Izzo," and he proved it true in 2006 when he cut short his pseudo-retirement with Kingdom Come. Like clockwork, the album hit No. 1, though many critics and long-time fans thought that it showed Jay had lost a step.

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Power Couple - After years of keeping their relationship a secret, Jay Z and Beyoncé tied the knot in 2008. Forbes named them Hollywood's top-earning couple (and eventually, the first pop music couple to break a billion). (Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

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A Business, Man - In 2009, two years after after releasing the underrated American Gangster (well, as underrated as a No. 1 album can be), Jay announced he was leaving Def Jam and starting Roc Nation, his own record label, talent/management agency and music publishing company. The imprint has signed emerging stars like J. Cole, Jay Electronica and Willow Smith. Roc Nation joined Jay's 40/40 sports bar franchise, his part ownership of the New Jersey Nets and several other ventures as part of the rapper-turned-entrepreneur's growing business empire. (Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

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New King - Jay truly returned to form with 2009's The Blueprint 3. Not only did it beat Elvis' record for most No. 1 albums by a solo artist, but it included the anthemic "Empire State of Mind," featuring Alicia Keys, Hov's biggest hit thus far and his first to top Billboard's Hot 100.

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In My Lifetime - In 2010, Jay added author to his growing résumé with Decoded. The book broke down the lyrics of some of Jay's best songs, giving a revealing look at his life, his upbringing, and his philosophies along the way.

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Ruling Party - Hov continued his astonishing run when he teamed up with his former protégé turned superstar-in-his-own-right Kanye West to release the conversation-dominating Watch the Throne. With instant classics like "Otis" and "N---as in Paris" as ammunition, the pair pushed the album with a hugely successful world tour. (Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com)

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Blue Magic - Rapper, businessman, author—and now father. Jay Z and Beyoncé welcomed their first child, Blue Ivy, into the world on Jan. 7, 2012. (Photo: courtesy Tumblr)

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Hello Brooklyn - Jay became part owner of the then New Jersey Nets in 2002, and his investment came full circle in September 2011, when Jay Z christened the Nets' new stadium in Brooklyn, the Barclays Center, with eight sold-out shows. Hov has become a prominent presence on the sidelines at home games. "The city is under new management," he tweeted after watching the Nets defeat their cross-town rivals, the New York Knicks, two months after the arena opened. (Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

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New World Order - In 2012 when President Barack Obama needed to make a final push to secure a second term, he called on one of the most powerful voices in the nation, Jay Z. Hov joined Obama at an campaign rally in Columbus, Ohio a day before the election to help drive the president's messgae home. (Photo: REUTERS /JASON REED /LANDOV)

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New Rules - Being a game changer has been what Jay Z has been about his entire care. The hip hop mogul proved his business acumen once again when he released the critically-acclaimed album, Magna Carta Holy Grail, this past July. Through a first of its kind partnership with Samsung, the album was free to the first 1 million Samsung users who download it to their phones. The LP rapidly hit platinum sales and was the 13th No. 1 of the rapper's career. (Photo: RocNation)

Photo By Photo: RocNation

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Super Agent - Having asserted his dominance in music, Jay Z tossed his hat in a new arena in 2013. Jay gave up his ownership in the Brooklyn Nets to start a career as a sports agent. The mogul opened Roc Nation Sports by signing star athletes like Robinson Cano and Kevin Durant.(Photos from left: Alo Ceballos/FilmMagic, Elsa/Getty Images)