It is undeniable greatness to be notable, well respected and relative for 20 years. That is exactly what Shawn Carter, more commonly known as Jay-Z, has done. From "Can’t Knock the Hustle" the first track on his first, now 20-year old, album Reasonable Doubt to “Nickels and Dimes” the last track on his latest album Magna Carta, Holy Grail, Jay-Z has cemented a legendary legacy in hip-hop. 12 solo studio albums along with notable collaborations along the way, Jay-Z’s impact on hip-hop cannot go unappreciated and understated. Recognized by many in the hip-hop/rap community as the “Greatest of All Time “ he must have done something right.

If anyone is unsure of some of those things Jay-Z has done, let’s break it down. First before diving in, not everything can be covered as there is just so much that Jay-Z has done and that is a testament to the greatness that is Hov. So these are the highlights if you will.

So how did the rise of Jay-Z begin? He went from selling drugs on the streets in Brooklyn to becoming worth $550 million dollars. The ultimate success story. Him pushing drugs was some of his content matter for his first album. Reasonable Doubt was the launching pad for Jay-Z’s career as it was a display of quality storytelling and great lyricism. It is even noted that at times he does not write his lyrics down on paper just “off the dome,” as many would put it. Reasonable Doubt itself was released on Roc-A-Fella Records, the independent record label that Jay-Z founded himself along with Damon “Dame” Dash Kareem Biggs. Using the iconic “Roc” name Dame and Jay-Z also founded Roc-A-Wear the worldwide known clothing label. The “Roc” was strong in the late 90s and early 2000s.

There was however at this time a beef with another hip-hop powerhouse in Nas. The beef was personal and fans were at the mercy of the titans going blow for blow with verse and verse directed towards each other. Fans got “Ether” and “The Takeover” from the beef two iconically known hip-hop tracks which debateable have become the standard for hip-hop/rap beef diss track. The beef is duly noted as an important mark in Jay-Z career because it was the competition that Jay-Z needed as he was at the top of hip-hop and needed a rival at the time and it was indeed for some Nas.

To fast forward five years from his debut album, Jay-Z brought out late and legendary Michael Jackson to Summer Jam in 2001 and it is regarded as one of the most memorable hip-hop performances of all time. Later that year he dropped The Blueprint on September 11 on one of the nation’s darkest days. According to billboard.com, The album still sold 427,000 copies during the first week, while the country was in shambles. Many still went out and bought his album. The streaming services and iTunes downloads were not what they are today. You still had to go out and buy the album at the store.

Two years later Jay-Z dropped The Black Album, the album in which many may say was one of his best and according to Jay-Z himself in 2013, he personally ranks it his third best album. After that album, Jay-Z announced he was “retiring” from music and was appointed president of Def Jam by L.A. Reid. His time as president did not go to waste. From bringing several artists to Def Jam such as Kanye West and Rihanna two highly profiled artist of today, it is safe to say while being talented he can scope out talent as well.

Skipping to 2007, the year where Jay-Z stepped down as president of Def Jam and the year when he dropped an underappreciated album by many in American Gangster, inspired by the similarly titled film starring Denzel Washington. The album was a cohesive project that showcased vintage Jay-Z bars over quality production. An album that Jay-Z would rank fifth amongst his 12 studio albums.

Five years later, Watch The Throne happened. The collaboration with his “little brother” Kanye West. The duo went on a worldwide tour that grossed millions and featured their hit “Ni****s In Paris.”

Throughout the years, Jay-Z has made hit, after hit, after hit, after hit and can keep going. He helped launched the careers of Beanie Sigel, Just Blaze, Kanye West, Rihanna and J. Cole. He has 21 Grammy Awards. He has the most solo number one albums of all time. He is a musical legend. But what about his business acumen and influence on popular culture? From launching Rocawear, opening 40/40 clubs nationwide and buying and selling a stake in the Brooklyn Nets his business acumen is unquestioned. In 2008, Jay-Z became the owner of Roc Nation. That is the multifaceted entertainment company. It is a record label, sports and talent agency and a production company all in one. Some artist that he has on this label would include J.Cole, Rihanna and Jay Electronica. That same year he inked a 10-year $150 Million dollar deal to release music through Live Nation.

Jay-Z is also not afraid of any challenges that he may face along the way as he is an aspiring sports agent and a majority shareholder in TIDAL, the music streaming platform. All of Jay-Z’s moves seem to be calculated, especially when they come to his money. Having notable athletes sign to Roc Nation, such as Robinson Cano, Dez Bryant and Kevin Durant and having notable artist sign to TIDAL such as his wife Beyonce, Prince, Rihanna, Kanye West and Nicki Minaj just goes to show how calculated the moves are that he makes. Having these notable figures work with Jay-Z that drive business in their respective markets is a wise move in itself.

For his popular culture influence, it is unquestioned. At the time of his venture with Rocawear, it was a global phenomenon. Everyone wore Rocawear. It is no question that clothing line was worth $700 Million dollars in 2007 when Jay-Z sold his rights to the company for an astounding $204 Million. He is a fashion icon. He indeed “Made the Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can”. He has a superstar wife in Beyonce. He can navigate the sports world and the music world with no hesitation. He is cool with President Barack Obama. In 2013, Time listed him as number 42 on their list of the 100 most influential people. Arguably one of the most recognizable people in the country. Hip-hop has a strong influence on popular culture and Jay-Z being near the forefront of Hip-Hop for two decades it only makes sense that his popular culture influence is remarkable. You can say many want to be like Kanye, sure but many may rather be Jay-Z.

The hip-hop/rap legend, business icon and pop culture mogul that is Jay-Z just goes without showing why he is the greatest of all time. 20 years in the business shows the same hardworking attitude that transcended him from Marcy to the top of the game where he forever will reside. So if you read this and still don’t think so, read it again and as Jay-Z said it himself “Add that to the fact I went plat a bunch of times. Times that by my influence on pop culture I supposed to be number one on everybody's list. We'll see what happens when I no longer exist.”