(ThyBlackMan.com) Jay-Z –aka- Shawn Carter is no stranger to the streets. He was raised in the projects and has transformed his life in to one of the most successful careers in entertainment. As a rapper, he has changed how the art form is performed and viewed in critic’s eyes. I will always remember when I first met him and Damon Dash. They were in Dallas, Texas for a Sprite Summer Tour. It was hot, and I had to take photographs of Jay-Z, and he was very amped and hyped about the concert. His management team stated that he was cool, and there would be no problem with getting the material that I needed for the newspaper.
Once I was in front of Jay-Z, I realized that he was tall as he looked in the photos that I had previously seen, and that he had a beautiful smile. I knew 
that this was going to be a good concert and photography shoot. He stood in front of me and showed off his rapping physique. It was monumental for a young journalist on the rise and I believe that he felt the same—in 2002.
Yes, he had a name already at that time, but it was not on the level that it is today, and I wanted to make sure that I informed Southern rappers of his brilliance that was before my eyes. His entire entourage which featured Memphis Bleek, Damon Dash, and Neanie Sigel, was one of my greatest memories too. I found myself making the HOV sign as they all begin to hype the crowd for what was to come.
The stage was set, Jay-Z started chiming and the hip-hop favorite, It’s A Hard Knock Life, began to boom very loudly. There were over twenty people on the stage that ran back and forth getting the crowd to sing the memorable verses. Never in a million years would I ever have thought that this Brooklyn-bred rapper was dating Beyonce, another star who was on her path to greatness during that time. I sit and think now about beef that I had with Jay-Z too, because I loved (still do) Tupac. I was always on the side of Pac’ whenever they had words with each other. Today, I am just happy that one of them is still alive. I think that has to do with maturity. I believe that Jay-Z has also grown too as an artist.
Jay-Z has completed a full circle since 2002, and then some. He is now married to Beyonce Knowles Carter, has a baby girl named Blue Ivy Carter and is a successful businessman, philanthropist, author and artist. One can only imagine what his life would have been like, had he decided to intervene in the Biggy-Tupac fiasco. I believe that he did the right thing by continuing to learn from his mentors, and work his own magic in the world of music. No one can deny that Jay-Z –aka- Shawn Carter is one of the best rappers to come along with staying power. His life is indeed a blueprint for success.
Associate Editor; kYmberly Keeton
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