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Growing up in such an atmosphere, Carter turned to writing and rap as his escape. He filled pages upon pages of a three-ring binder with his verses, each line a cathartic release from the chaos around him. Writing became his therapy, a means through which he would later recount the stories of struggle, hope, and survival.
Entering the Hip-Hop Scene
By the late '80s, as hip-hop began to gain traction, Jay-Z immersed himself in the burgeoning genre, performing in ciphers and honing his skills. Despite the difficulties he faced, he remained passionate about music, realizing that it held the power to tell the stories of his community. His initial foray into the rap scene included collaborating with his mentor, Jaz-O, which led to early successes on platforms like MTV.