Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969),[6] known professionally as Jay-Z (/ˈdʒeɪˈziː/; stylized as JAY-Z),[a] is an American rapper, songwriter, producer, entrepreneur, and record executive. Considered among the best rappers of all time,[9] he is regarded as one of the world's most significant cultural icons and has been a global figure in popular culture for over two decades.[10][11][12]