Jay-Z Becomes Hip-Hop’s First Billionaire

Jay-Z has recently been pegged hip-hop's first billionaire. 

Forbes recently claimed that the Brooklyn rapper is the first hip-hop artist that "has accumulated a fortune that conservatively totals $1 billion."

The "99 Problems" rapper has a steadily growing empire comprised of liquor, art, real estate, and stakes in companies like the ride share company Uber.

The rapper's homes are located in Los Angeles, the Hamptons, and Tribeca (New York City).

Jay-Z, a former NYC drug dealer, started his own record label Roc-A-Fella Records in 1996, on which he released his classic debut album, Reasonable Doubt.

Since then Hov, a father of three, has amassed 14 No. 1 albums, 22 Grammy awards and over $500 million in pretax earnings in a decade.

“It’s bigger than hip-hop … it’s the blueprint for our culture. A guy that looks like us, sounds like us, loves us, made it to something that we always felt that was above us," said Swizz Beatz, a producer behind some of Jay's biggest hits like "On To The Next One." “If he’s a billionaire now, imagine what he’s about to be, because he’s only just starting.”

Scroll below to check out photos of the billionaire rapper through the years.

VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA - APRIL 27: Jay-Z performs onstage at SOMETHING IN THE WATER - Day 2 on April 27, 2019 in Virginia Beach City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Something in the Water)

HOUSTON, TEXAS - MAY 10: Jay-Z and Beyonce watch from courtside during Game Six of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on May 10, 2019 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 26: JAY-Z and Nas perform B-Sides 2 at Webster Hall on April 26, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Roc Nation)

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 22: Jay-Z attends The Broad Museum celebration for the opening of Soul Of A Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power 1963-1983 Art Exhibition at The Broad on March 22, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for The Broad Museum)

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 16: Snoop Dogg (L) and Jay-Z attend the PUMA x Nipsey Hussle 2019 Grammy Nomination Party at The Peppermint Club on January 16, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for PUMA)

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 19: Rapper Jay-Z attends the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 19, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

SANTA MONICA, CA - OCTOBER 11: Tiffany Haddish (L) and Jay-Z attend the City of Hope Spirit of Life Gala 2018 at Barker Hangar on October 11, 2018 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for City of Hope)

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 28: Recording artist Beyonce, Jay Z and daughter Blue Ivy Carter attend the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Madison Square Garden on January 28, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NARAS)