Jay-Z and his wife, Beyonce Knowles, form one of the most powerful couples in the music industry. He has recorded 13 hip-hop records and released more than 100 singles. He was born on December 4 and raised in New York and burst on to the music scene in 1996 with his debut album, Reasonable Doubt, which was a critical and commercial success. In addition to his music career, he also owns a fashion line and a sports entertainment company. He is the recipient of 21 Grammy Awards.