Watch a young Jay Z rap for the first time on camera

Shawn Carter, known as Jay Z, is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists now, but he first started his path 25 years ago.

In vintage footage that surfaced on Feb. 12, Jay Z is seen with Big Daddy Kane on Rap City, and in just over a minute, we see him freestyle for the first time.

We hear him drop his name in there a few times as he concludes with a "peace."

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Jay Z's first official rap single was called "In My Lifetime."

In 2013, he released his 12th studio album Magna Carta Holy Grail, and it sold 528,000 copies in its first week. At the time of its release, it had the second-biggest sales week for 2013.

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Just last year, he grossed more than $100 million with his wife and singer Beyonce when they performed together for their On the Run tour.

Jay Z has certainly come a long way!