The Jay-Z of ten years ago was virtually unknown the hottest Brooklyn rapper back then was The Notorious B.I.G., and Jay-Z wasn't even signed to a major label when his first record came out.

Now, Jay-Z also known as Shawn Carter, the president of Def Jam Records is one of the most successful, respected figures in rap history.

But he also threw in some obscure, gritty Hova songs, if only to prove that the essence of the grimy Brooklyn hustler still remains.

"I never lost sense of who I was-not for a day, not before I had a record deal, and certainly not after," he told AP. "I believe that's why I'm sitting right here with you today — it didn't change it one bit."

>> Biography
Jay-Z Shawn Corey Carter born December 4, 1969, popularly known as Jay-Z or by a variety of nicknames (Jigga, Jay-Hova, Hova, Young), is a rap/hip hop performer and current President and CEO of Def Jam. He has been one of the most prolific and successful American rappers of the late 1990's and early 2000s. In a recent MTV top ten list compiled by hip-hop critics, he was listed as the greatest MC of all time, above Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G. [1]

Known for his deft use of metaphor, freestyling abilities, crafty word play, and blending of street and popular hip hop, Jay-Z became one of the most respected rappers in the music industry before his retirement in 2003. He is one of the founders of Roc-A-Fella Records, a hip-hop record label which also launched the careers of artists such as Beanie Sigel, Kanye West, Memphis Bleek, Young Gunz, Freeway and Teairra Mari. As of 2005, he is estimated to be worth around $320 million [2]. It is heavily rumored that he will release a new album of some type in 2006.

Official Website: http://www.jayzonline.com

+ Rihanna +

>> Biography
Birth name Robyn Rihanna Fenty
Born February 20, 1988
Origin St. Michael, Barbados Years active 2005–present

Rihanna was discovered by music producer Evan Rogers while he was vacationing in Barbados with his wife Jackie, who is also Barbadian. Rogers , along with his partner Carl Sturken, helped Rihanna record demo material that was sent to various recording companies including Def Jam, where Rihanna auditioned for CEO Jay-Z and was signed on-the-spot.

* Standing tickets with 2 drinks complimentary

>> Click to see floor plan for the concert at
BEC-TERO Hall

Her debut album Music of the Sun, which she co-wrote, was released in August 2005 and was led by the single "Pon de Replay", which peaked at number two on both the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart. The second single, "If It's Lovin' That You Want", was less successful than its predecessor but still reached the top twenty in many countries. The album itself peaked within the top ten in Canada , and the U.S. , and within the top forty in the UK . It has received platinum certifications in several countries. To promote the album, Rihanna toured with Gwen Stefani.

In 2006, Rihanna landed several endorsement deals, including ones for Nike and J.C. Penney. In addition to a cameo role in Bring It On 3, she also released her second album, A Girl Like Me, in April 2006 less than eight months after the release of her debut album. The album debuted at number five in the U.S. and number six in the UK . The lead single, "SOS (Rescue Me)", was used in her endorsement deal with Nike. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, Pop 100, Hot Dance Music/Club Play, and debuted at number one on the Hot Digital Songs chart where it became the biggest first week digital single ever with over 169,000 copies sold in its first week. The song also peaked at number one in Australia and number two in the UK . The second single from the album, "Unfaithful" written by Ne-Yo, is a slow ballad which addresses the feelings of guilt a girl faces as she cheats on her boyfriend. The song became her third top 10 hit in the U.S.

She performed live during the 2006 MMVAs and won the Best International Video Artist award for her song S.O.S. (Rescue Me)

Official Website: http://www.rihannasite.com/