31. His mom was tricked by him into allowing him to use her voice for “December Fourth” in 2003. The Black Album. “I told her that I would meet you at the studio, and that we were going for lunch.” he wrote. The Code. “She came up to me in the studio. She brought it up, and I asked her to discuss the tracks. She was adamant that she would listen if I shared my thoughts. [she was going to be on the song]She would get very nervous. [She said]”What would you like me to say?” The rest is history.
32. His (ultimately temporary retirement) was announced at a concert in Madison Square Garden featuring The Roots. Missy Elliott, Mary J. Blige, Beyoncé Pharrell Williams. All proceeds were donated to charities.
33. He was then able to sell Roc-A-Fella, and he became the president of Def Jam Records.
34. His far-reaching empire includes clothing (retailer Rocawear), liquor brands (Armand de Brignac champagne and D’Ussé cognac), a stake in the Brooklyn Nets, streaming service Tidal and Roc Nation, which represents top names in entertainment (read: Rihanna) and sports (Kevin Durant, Todd Gurley).
35. He has signed lucrative endorsement agreements with Budweiser, Reebok and Audemars-Piguet.