Jay-Z: From Brooklyn to the Boardroom
Finance guru Alvin Hall charts the rise rap music entrepreneurJay-Z - a man who has become a brand in his own right.
Ten years ago rap superstar Jay-Z was struggling to get a record deal after being spurned by every major label - so he started his own. A decade on, with 20 million CD sales under his belt, he is now a major music industry player, and currently reigns as president of the legendary Def Jam records.
He built on his success with lucrative sidelines in the fashion industry, a chain of bars, his own brand of vodka, and is also part-owner of a professional basketball team. Now some of America's biggest brands are hiring him in hope his business savvy can help them, too.
Finance guru Alvin Hall meets Shawn Carter a.k.a Jay-Z for an in-depth discussion charting the birth of his business empire and rise from the notorious Marcy Projects in Brooklyn to C.E.O’s office, revealing the story of a man who has become a brand in his own right.
This programme was originally broadcast on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 on December 2, 2006.
Presenter: Alvin Hall
Producer: Richard Fenton-Smith
Editor: Tony Phillips
Last on
Watch the interview as Zane Lowe met Jay Z at the legendary Abbey Road Studios.
Tupac Shakur, Hip-Hop Immortal
Poet and playwright Al Letson recalls the life of Tupac Shakur
Broadcasts
- Tue 8 May 2007 11:30Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 FM
- Thu 27 Dec 2007 23:30Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
Featured in...
Behind the Music Industry—Radio 4 on Music
Stories behind the record labels and the people at the top of the Music Business.
Hip Hop
A collection of programmes and clips on the roots, inspirations and stars of hip hop.
Radio 4 on Music - the podcast
Download a brand new episode each week & listen on demand to the full collection.
Radio 4 On Music—Radio 4 on Music
From Armstrong to Zappa - music documentaries from the Radio 4 archive.
Radio 4 on Music
Re-releasing music documentaries from the Radio 4 Archive.