It is easy to look at where Jay Z is and believe he has always been this way. The past thirteen years have seen Jay Z guide the careers of Rihanna, Beyonce, Rick Ross, Big Sean, Wale, Meek Mill, Young Jeezy, and many others. But, before this, he was an artist trying to get in, too.
Jay Z made an alliance with Irv Gotti, during the time of his debut album release. Following the Reasonable Doubt release, Irv Gotti brokered a deal to allow him to partner with Def Jam. On a hot streak, he also cut deals with DMX and Ja Rule, on the label.
As stardom came, it seemed as if Jay Z and DMX both had issues with Ja Rule, as they both dissed him. The beef with DMX and Ja Rule was more high-profile, but Jay Z and DMX also had issues, which included Nas being brought to Def Jam in exchange for X going to Columbia. In 2007, Jay Z and Ja Rule reunited, as did Rule and X in 2009 and they all have come together, along with DJ Khaled, tonight at the end of the “Formation” tour.
