Shawn Carter started rapping from a young age, but the pastime began turning into a career when he joined Jaz-O on a song called “The Originators” in the late ‘80s. The song was a success and the duo was featured on “Yo! MTV Raps.”
Around this time, Shawn adopted the name Jay-Z. The name was partially inspired by his childhood nickname, Jazzy, but it also paid homage to Jaz-O’s influence. Jay-Z may also have been referencing the J/Z subway station near his childhood home.
Getting featured on MTV wasn’t an instant ride to fame, but Jay-Z’s career wouldn’t stay underground for long. The rapper’s debut album charted at number 23 on Billboard, solidifying Jay-Z as an up-and-coming star.
Today, Jay-Z is one of the most successful rappers of all time — and one of the richest. In 2019, Jay-Z was named “hip hop’s first billionaire” by Forbes. There’s some debate about the accuracy of that title, but there’s no doubt that Jay-Z is rich. Just look at his car collection.
The rapper owns a range of crazy-expensive cars, including one of the most expensive cars ever made.
Keep reading to learn more about the most expensive cars in Jay-Z’s garage!
8. 2005 Ferrari F430 Spider
Car Feature: V8 engine
Number Made: About 14,000
Interesting Fact: This car was featured in the music video for “Show Me What You Got”
photo source: bringatrailer.com
First up is the 2005 Ferrari F430 Spider. Jay-Z might have purchased the car around 2006 when the music video for his song “Show Me What You Got” was released. The video features the car alongside a 2003 Pagani Zonda C12 7.3S Roadster — and both are extremely expensive.
The 2003 Roadster could cost more than $300,000 while the Spider is valued right around 150 grand.
The Spider isn’t the rarest car on the planet, but production was pretty limited. About 14,000 units were made, which may sound like a lot, but it’s actually tiny compared to more standard vehicles. Honda often sells more than 20,000 Accords each month, while Ford sold nearly 4 million cars to dealers across the globe in 2021. Fourteen thousand is nothing in the world of cars.
Did you know?
According to Classic.com, the most expensive F430 Spider sold for more than $400,000.
7. 2018 Bentley Continental GT
Car Feature: Leather and wood interior
Number Made: Unknown
Interesting Fact: Jay-Z posed by a Bentley for his 1998 album cover
photo source: gq-magazine.co.uk
It’s not clear exactly how many 2018 Continental GTs were made, but there probably aren’t a whole lot since Bentley only sold about 14,600 cars in 2021. The luxury carmaker doesn’t need to sell many vehicles to make some serious cash though — a single Continental goes for more than $200,000.
Jay-Z has a long history with Bentley’s. The rapper posed in front of one for the cover of his 1998 album “Vol.2… Hard Knock Life,” then purchased the 2018 Continental GT a couple of decades later according to GQ.
Valued at more than $200,000, this is the seventh-most expensive car in Jay-Z’s collection. That may be a ton of money, but it’s nothing compared to other cars on this list!
Did you know?
Bentley made five versions of its 2018 Continental GT. The cheapest trim goes for more than two hundred grand, while the most expensive costs a steep $322,600.
6. The Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII
Car Feature: Coach doors
Number Made: Between 3,200 and 5,100
Interesting Fact: Each Phantom VIII has a custom art fixture on the dash
photo source: businessinsider.com
GQ says Jay–Z purchased a Phantom VIII around 2017. Rolls-Royce made around 3,000 cars in total that year, so the Phantom VIII is probably pretty rare.
Data from the Rolls-Royce company says the car has a starting price tag of more than $400,000, but many customers end up paying $600,000 after customizing their vehicle.
One of the most unique features of the Phantom VIII is the custom panel along the dash. Buyers can have any art fixture installed, from golden designs to expensive clocks. Rolls-Royce calls this section The Gallery. Jay-Z hasn’t revealed his custom Gallery, but you can bet it’s expensive.
Did you know?
The Phantom VII, this car’s predecessor, was released in 2003 — about 13 years before the Phantom VIII.
5. Pagani Zonda
Car Feature: V12 engine
Number Made: 140
Interesting Fact: The Pagani brand was made by Horacio Pagani
photo source: commons.wikimedia.org
The Zonda is a really rare car. Estimates say only 140 exist, although the Pagani brand is reportedly still making these vehicles for wealthy clients.
The story of the Zonda is pretty interesting. Horacio Pagani is a businessman from Argentina working in Italy. During the ‘80s, Pagani worked with Lamborghini as he researched and developed breakthrough carbon fiber technology.
Unfortunately, the Lamborghini company paused Pagani’s research when the global economy took a hit in the ‘90s — but that didn’t stop Pagani. With years of industry experience, the soon-to-be carmaker hit it out on his own and began developing the first of his many supercars: the Zonda C12. Pagani would go on to make several more Zonda models, all of which are rare and expensive.
While we don’t know exactly which Zonda Jay-Z owns, it’s safe to say the car is one of the rarest in the rapper’s collection. It’s also one of the most expensive with an estimated value of about $1.4 million.
Did you know?
The first Zonda featured a Mercedes-Benz V12 engine.
4. 1957 Chevrolet Corvette
Car Feature: V8 engine
Number Made: 6,339
Interesting Fact: This car can hit 60 mph in less than six seconds
photo source: hotcars.com
When you’re a billionaire, dropping more than one and a half million dollars on a Corvette is nothing. And that’s exactly what Jay-Z did. The ultra-expensive car was made in 1957 and it’s one of just 6,339 ever produced.
The rare vehicle sold for about $3,100 back in ‘57, but it’s worth more than a million dollars today.
The ‘57 Corvette isn’t exactly a race car — but the vehicle was pretty fast back in the day. The car hits 60 in less than six seconds before maxing out around 140 mph. The world’s fastest modern supercars can hit nearly 300 mph, but 140 was impressive for the ‘50s.
Did you know?
The ‘57 Corvette’s leather seats are often the same color as the car’s exterior.
3. 2010 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport
Car Feature: Carbon fiber body
Number Made: 58
Interesting Fact: Jay-Z got this car for his 41st birthday
photo source: motorauthority.com
In 2010, Jay-Z got a crazy birthday gift: a Bugatti. The present was from his wife, none other than Beyoncé. The $2 million gift was expensive and rare.
Bugatti reportedly made about 450 Veyrons — but only 58 of those were Grand Sports. That means this is one of the rarest cars in Jay-Z’s garage!
This car has all the luxury you’d expect from Bugatti. The exterior is made of carbon fiber while the inside offers comfortable and luxurious leather seats.
Did you know?
Jay-Z was born on December 4th in New York City.
2. Maybach Exelero
Car Feature: V12 engine
Number Made: 1
Interesting Fact: This car can hit 218 mph
photo source: hotcars.com
At number two is the one-of-a-kind Maybach Exelero. The car was made by Stola (an Italian carmaker) in collaboration with Daimler Chrysler — but this isn’t just a story about luxury carmakers. The unique vehicle was actually commissioned by a tire company called Fulda. Fulda wanted to show off its high-performance tires, and a pricey sports car seemed like the perfect way to do it.
Today, the Maybach Exelero is worth an estimated $8 million. The insanely expensive car is currently owned by Jay-Z, but previous owners include American rapper Birdman.
Did you know?
Jay-Z’s whole car collection includes about 15 vehicles.
1. Rolls-Royce Boat Tail
Car Feature: Built-in fridge
Number Made: Three
Interesting Fact: This is a custom-made car
photo source: autodesignmagazine.com
The Rolls-Royce Boat Tail is the most expensive car owned by Jay-Z.
At a whopping $28 million, Jay-Z’s Boat Tail is by far the most expensive car in his garage and one of the most expensive cars ever made. The custom vehicle is one of just three Boat Tails, and each edition is entirely unique.
Jay-Z’s version looks like it was made for luxurious days on the beach, with a built-in fridge, folding chairs, a small picnic table, and nautical design details. Image taking this thing on vacation!
Did you know?
Jay-Z and Beyoncé received two special-edition Bovet watches alongside this one-of-a-kind Rolls-Royce.
