Shawn Corey Carter, also known as Jay-Z, Jigga, and Jay-Hova (a play on Jehovah also seen in its variations as simply Hova, or Young Hov) (born December 4, 1969, Brooklyn, New York) is a rap/hip hop performer and record label executive. He was one of the most popular and successful U.S. rappers of the late 1990s and early 2000s and often claims to be the best rapper alive, (which is hard to dispute, but since he has 'retired'). He is one of the founders of Roc-A-Fella Records, a successful hip-hop label which also launched the careers of Beanie Sigel, Kanye West, Memphis Bleek, Young Gunz, Freeway, and others.