Happy Birthday, Jay-Z!.<br />Shawn Corey Carter turns <br />50 years old today.<br />Here are five fun facts <br />about the rapper.<br />1. He doesn’t write any lyrics down.<br />2. He became the first rapper to be <br />inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.<br />3. His name, Jay -Z, was inspired by his nickname, Jazzy, and an homage to his mentor, Jaz-O.<br />4. Jay’s earliest musical memory was listening to his parent’s Marvin Gaye albums.<br />5. The rapper retired in 2003 and returned to music in 2006.<br />Happy Birthday, <br />Jay-Z!
