Jay-Z expected prison for life after shooting brother

Rapper Jay-Z has revealed that when he shot his brother at the age of 12, he was terrified he would be locked up for life.

The 99 Problems star said guns were rife growing up in Brooklyn, reports the Sun.

“I thought my life was over. I thought I'd go to jail forever...it was terrible. I was a boy, a child. I was terrified,” he said.

The incident occurred after the rapper's crack-addicted brother Eric stole his ring.

But, Eric did not press charges against him, and apologized for his addiction instead.

The Grammy-winner raps about the ordeal on the track You Must Love Me singing: “Saw the devil in your eyes, high off more than weed, confused, I just closed my young eyes and squeezed.”