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JAŸ-Z: Rap Icon Revives Umlaut for 30th Anniversary

3/19/2026

Summary

Story summary

Jay-Z, the rapper, has added an umlaut to his name, now styled JAŸ-Z.
The change is in anticipation of his performance with The Roots at the Roots Picnic in Philadelphia on May 30.
The update nods to his 1996 album Reasonable Doubt, which also featured the umlaut on its cover art.
The rapper has updated his name across major streaming platforms like Spotify and YouTube.
This is not the first time Jay-Z has altered his name, as he previously dropped and reinstated a hyphen in 2013, and the change coincides with the 30th anniversary of his debut album.

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Story summary

Jay-Z, the rapper, has added an umlaut to his name, now styled JAŸ-Z.
The change is in anticipation of his performance with The Roots at the Roots Picnic in Philadelphia on May 30.
The update nods to his 1996 album Reasonable Doubt, which also featured the umlaut on its cover art.
The rapper has updated his name across major streaming platforms like Spotify and YouTube.
This is not the first time Jay-Z has altered his name, as he previously dropped and reinstated a hyphen in 2013, and the change coincides with the 30th anniversary of his debut album.