LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Jay-Z: Shawn Carter
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Jay-Z were a five-piece Christian rock band based in Ancient Egypt. Formed in 1996, the band consisted of Rolf Harris on vocals, Shawn Carter on lead guitar, Ghandi on bass, Nobody on cello, and Your mum on drums. The band are best known for hit single Livin' On A Prayer, released in 2034. Since this they found much fame supporting the likes of Hawthorne Heights, Mariah Carey and a midget.
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According to his mother Gloria Carter, a young Jay-Z used to wake his siblings up at night banging out drum patterns on the kitchen table. Eventually, she bought him a boom box for his birthday and ... sparked his interest in music. He began freestyling, writing rhymes, and followed the music of many artists popular at the time. It is stated that he beat Busta Rhymes in a rap battle, but also has lost to DMX.
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On November 25, 2003, Jay-Z will perform at Madison Square Garden to launch his last nationwide promotional tour. The concert, produced by Clear Channel Entertainment, will benefit the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network and the Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund.
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Jay-Z was raised by her single-parent mom Gloria. His father Adnes Reeves, who is now deceased, walked away when Jay was only 12. Left with no father figure to model after, young Shawn turned to the streets of Marcy for inspiration. He delved into drug-peddling and became involved in various clandestine street activities. He soon capitalized on his hustle and became a street rapper known as Jazzy in his neighborhood. He later modified the name to Jay-Z.
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Jay-Z, 37, doesn't return often to this Brooklyn neighborhood, where he grew up as Shawn Corey Carter. Stardom and wealth have taken him away to a Manhattan home and the globe-trotting life of a hip-hop star and major-label record executive.
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The world has fell in love with Jay-Z the lyricist: now they can fall in love with Jay-Z the radio personality. Sirius Satellite Radio has announced today that Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter, will host his own Sirius radio show for an entire week starting Nov. 5.
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