Jay-Z makes his only European appearance of 2017 at V

The husband of Beyoncé – together they have three children and a combined worth of more than $1 billion – has plenty of hits to choose from. He’s released 13 albums, 82 music videos and 115 singles during a career that began in 1986.

The rapper, businessman and philanthropist has released a remarkable 11 consecutive number one USA albums. That streak began in 1998 with Vol 2 . . . Hard Knock Life and continued with Vol 3 . . . Life and Times of S Carter, The Dynasty – Roc La Familia, The Blueprint, The Blueprint 2 – The Gift & The Curse, The Black Album, Kingdom Come, American Gangster, The Blueprint 3, Magna Carta – Holy Grail and this year’s worldwide smash 4:44.

His latest release features guest appearances from Frank Ocean, Damian Marley, Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s mother, Gloria Carter. It was released after a teaser ad was shown during the NBA Finals, in June, and was made with producer No I. D.

Jay Z and No I. D. Took inspiration from some of the greatest soul and rap albums of all time when they were making it, such as What’s Going On by Marvin Gaye, Confessions by Usher, Jay Z’s own album The Blueprint, Illmatic by Nas, and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West.

The title track was written when Jay Z woke up in the middle of the night and began recording using Beyoncé’s mic. Critics dubbed the track – and the album – a response to Bey’s Lemonade, in which she had alleged that he was unfaithful. It alluded to those alleged infidelities and talked about marital troubles.

Jay Z hit the road in support of the record, playing 31 huge dates across North America, and the record was well received by critics who admired its personal qualities and Jay Z’s ability to open up about his own flaws.

He spoke out about the record as part of his promotional campaign for 4:44. In one video, he said: “This is my real life.

“I just ran into this place and we built this big, beautiful mansion of a relationship that wasn’t totally built on the 100 per cent truth and it starts cracking. Things started happening that the public can see. Then we had to get to a point of ‘OK, tear this down and let’s start from the beginning . . .’ it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

At one point, he had to beg Bey not to go.

“We just got to a place where in order for this to work, this can’t be fake. Not one ounce. I’m not saying it wasn’t uncomfortable because obviously it was.”

The lyrics on 4:44 included many of Jay Z’s woes, including the difficulties that his mother faced in coming to terms with her own homosexuality. He has been a strong champion for LGBT equality and was supportive of then-President Obama’s efforts to end discrimination.

He told reporters: “What people do in their own homes is their business, and you can choose to love whoever you love. That’s their business. [It] is no different than discriminating against blacks. It’s discrimination, plain and simple.” Appearances at V Festival – which has previously welcomed his wife, Beyoncé, as a headliner – and the release of Jay Z’s 4:44 record aren’t the only past times that have kept the musician and entrepreneur busy.

The star also owns New York’s 40/40 Club and was the co-creator of the Rocawear clothing line. He was president of Def Jam Recordings and co-founded Roc-A-Fella Reocrds, as well as the entertainment company Roc Nation and the sports agency Roc Nation Sports.

Born in New York, he grew up on a housing project in Brooklyn after his father, Adnis Reeves, had abandoned his family. His father eventually met and reconciled witih Jay Z before dying, in 2003.

He started rapping at an early age and flirted with trouble, dealing crack cocaine and being shot three times. Music, however, was ever present and his mother has recalled how he would beat out drum patterns on the kitchen table before freesytling and writing lyrics.

Jay Z made his way on to this first recordings in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The rest is history as he went on to become hip hop’s biggest mogul of all time.