Shawn Corey Carter grew up in Brooklyn’s drug-infested Marcy Projects. Today, he is one of the best-selling musicians of all time. Mr. Carter and his wife exceed the Obamas as America’s wealthiest Black couple. Forbes says that the superstar couple’s net worth has climbed to $1.16 billion dollars. Mr. Carter accounts for most of it: $810 million. The Carter couple is the epitome of: “Wealth makes wealth.” The duo’s latest moneymaker, the “On the Run II” tour, kicks off June 6 in Cardiff, UK. The couple is a crossover favorite. OTRII’s international outing will stop in 15 cities across the UK and Europe, with the 21-date North American leg beginning July 25 in Cleveland. The couple will command stadium tour shows in Amsterdam (June 20), Washington, DC (July 27), East Rutherford, NJ (Aug. 3), Chicago, Columbus, Ohio, Columbia, South Carolina, Atlanta (Aug. 26), Los Angeles (Sept. 23) and closing date in Seattle (Oct. 4).
Jigga and Queen Bee will have little trouble putting butts into seats. Beyoncé is the most powerful pop star in the music business – and her following among young people is almost cult-like; .her horde of devoted fans call themselves “the BeyHive.” Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter is an American singer, songwriter and actress. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, as a child she performed in various singing and dancing competitions
She is a successful entertainer. In addition to his musical accomplishments, he is also a successful entrepreneur, who owns a myriad of companies. Jay Z famously rapped: “I’m not a businessman, I’m a business man!” Jay Z is one of the biggest names in ‘Rap’ and in the genre of hip-hop. Jay Z started his music career by selling CDs out of his car, then subsequently co-launched Roc-A-Fella Records as an independent label. Within a few years, he went from being a locally-known up-and-comer to a nationally-celebrated rap star, to entrepreneur who owns the 40/40 Club, Def Jam Records, Roc Nation Sports and Roc-A-Fella apparel. He is ranked “one of the most successful artists of the millennium.”
The first On the Run tour took place in 2014, but since then, a lot has gone down in the Carter-Knowles household. Jay and Bey married in April 2008. Throughout their nearly 15-year relationship, Beyonce and Jay Z endured trials from elevator incidents to infidelity rumors; but, the pair continues to claim the throne of music’s First Family.
Blacks see Jay Z as “one of us.” His family lived in the drug-infested ‘Marcy Projects’, where violence and gun-culture were prevalent. He was a crack cocaine dealer that also imbibed in the gun-culture that was in his neighborhood at the time; so much so, that he shot his elder brother in the shoulder for pocketing his jewelry. He studied at George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School, Eli Whitney High School and Trenton Central High School. He was classmates with future performers, Busta Rhymes and The Notorious B.I.G.
In conjunction with OTRII, Jay Z‘s entertainment firm Roc Nation has launched his new venture capital firm – Arrive. The Arrive platform aims to work with early-stage startups and plans to offer investment of capital and assistance with business development and branding.
The OTRII tour is presented by Live Nation Global Touring in association with Beyonce’s Parkwood Entertainment and ‘Jay’s Roc Nation. Tickets start at $150 and VIP packages at $1,250 and on sale at LiveNation.com Citi is the official credit card for the OTR II tour and card members will have a pre-sale opportunity for show dates in the US, Europe and UK.
William Reed is publisher of “Who’s Who in Black Corporate America.”