Shawn Jay Z Carter Bibliography Annotated

EDL 271: Leadership and the Profession

Kelsey Hoeksema

Drake University
APA Citation for Book Read:

Greenburg, Z. (2011). Empire state of mind: How Jay Z went from street corner to corner office.

New York, NY: Portfolio/ Penguin.

Abstract / Key Words:

A focus on Shawn Carter and his journey to becoming infamous rapper, entrepreneur, and
brand label, known today as Jay Z. The influential icon of the hip-hop world climbed his way to
leading his entrepreneurial empire. An unprecedented leader, Jay Z showcases characteristics of
effective leadership.

Key Words: entrepreneur, rap musician, biography

Summary of the Book:

In Brooklyns Marcy Housing Project Shawn Carters life began. Today, he is known as Jay Z, a
multi-million dollar business empire. The biography of Jay Z as told in Empire State of Mind: How
Jay Z Went from Street Corner to Corner Office provides snapshots to key stages of the rappers
successful business career.

Jay Z started his business exchanges dealing drugs between subway lines J and Z in Brooklyn, New
York. Through connections made in the streets, Jay Z took an opportunity to abandon that lifestyle
and move forward as a rapper. On the way to the top he failed many times, losing friends and
business partners along the way, Jay Z stayed determined towards success. Jay Z shows the
entrepreneurial quickness he possesses in decisions he made during these difficult times. He set a
precedent for rappers to come.

Since his time as President of Def Jam Records, Jay Z used his I will not lose, ever mentality to
create new opportunities to increase his wealth. Jay Z no longer desired to give out free
endorsements. In rapping about his lifestyle, Jay Z promoted his brands and business endeavors. In
this he saw great benefit. When his lyrics spoke of fancy clothes and exclusive clubs with
champagne overflowing, his videos flashed to scenes of men and women dressed in Rocawear
outfits sitting at the 40/40 Club with bottles of Ace of Spades on hand. Initially these labels seem
meaningless, however, each is a reference to components of Jay Zs vast business portfolio. Each
were business endeavors of Jay Zs and he profited immensely in endorsing them in his music. He
took these brands and showcased them to his already large fan base. Jay Z even raps about his
business career, Im not a businessman, Im a businessman. (p.211). His vision of success and
talented leadership abilities propelled him to his success in the business world. Jay Z was had
become a leader in the hip hop world. His influence over the genre was powerful.

As stated in Black Enterprise Magazine:

 Hip-hop is the thread that holds together the fabric of todays urban-youth culture and it
touches a multitude of industries from entertainment to apparel to marketing to
technology. To put it bluntly, hip-hop is big business (May, 2002).

That is just what Jay Z has done. He turned his passion for hip hop music into a multifaceted
business.

Educational Leadership Standards in connection to Jay Z:

Tie to Standards:

STANDARD 1: A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of

all students by facilitating the development, articulation, implementation and stewardship of a
vision of learning that is shared and supported by the school community.

Keep a Firm Vision. Through it all, Jay Z remained focus on becoming the best. He
endured the ups and downs in his successful businesses and failed business attempts. He
created a vision and reflected on it to stay at the top.
Be involved. Stay connected to the projects- pay attention to the small details.
o The key to staying on top of things is to treat everything like its your first
project, know what Im saying? Like its your first day when you was an intern,
rapped Biggie in spoken word in My 1st Song. (p.99)
Share the vision.
Invest in the staffs passion for their work. Be genuine is conversation, relate to each
other to create shared purpose.
Create purposeful communications. Say what you mean.
Be confident in decision making skills. Trust your instinct to let go of a failed initiative.
Be reflective.
STANDARD 2: A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of
all students by advocating, nurturing and sustaining a school culture and instructional
program conducive to student learning and staff professional development.

Know your strengths and weakness. Use each others strengths.

Share knowledge with others. He served as a mentor to young artists on his label. He
shared his personal expertise and passions as an artist. He assisted the artists in honing
their crafts.
STANDARD 6: A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of
all students by understanding, responding to, and influencing the larger political, social,
economic, legal, and cultural context.
Share knowledge with others. He served as a mentor to young artists on his label. He
shared his personal expertise and passions as an artist. He assisted the artists in honing
their crafts.
Know your audience. Invest in the community to know what they are looking for.
 o You [can] read it as him trying to take care of the core audience, says Jeff
Chang. (p.61).
Take calculated risks.
o [In speaking of Jay Z] its all a gamble. And I guess the thing that makes one
gambler better than the next is those that understand when they have a better
chance to win. Fred Brathwaite. (p.78)
Celebrate Success
o What I stand here and represent is hope for Brooklyn, New York City, says Jay
Z, I think about growing up in Brooklyn in Marcy projects and shooting jump
shots thinking I could make it in the NBA. Now Im standing here as an owner of
a team thats coming back to Brooklyn and [taking] pride in that, in bringing that
dream so much closer. (p.154)