Jay-Z has a way of living his own lyrics. In 2008, he took the line, “I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man,” to the next level as the ultimate industry leader. While continuing to lend his time to the UN’s Water for Life initiative, Hov left Def Jam and teamed up with touring company Live Nation, who rep Madonna and U2, securing the first ever major strategic partnership of its kind in Hip-Hop to the tune of $150 million. The multi-platform endeavor sparked the beginning of his own label, Roc Nation, in which he signed newcomer J. Cole. The NJ Nets part-owner also offered a showstopping verse on T.I.’s “Swagger Like Us” featuring Lil Wayne, M.I.A. and Kanye West. And can anyone say Blueprint 3? The early release of the “Jockin’ Jay-Z” single kept heads bopping. Last year, Jigga also became the first rapper ever to headline the rock-oriented Glastonbury Festival. Rocawear also fared well in 2008. Despite the failing economy, the brand racked up $18.3 million in sales in the third quarter. Last fall also marked the launch of Roc4Life.com, a one-stop social network and Hip-Hop lifestyle trend site that features everything Roc-related and more. Jay also married Beyoncé, one of the biggest entertainers in the world. Together the power couple claimed number #1 on Forbes’ Hollywood’s Top-Earning Couples list in 2008, by earning a reported $162 million (from June 2007 to June 2008). In more recent news, and in one of his greatest power moves to date, Jay-Z became the new face of independence by purchasing the rights to his master recordings from Def Jam. Victory and congratulations!