Jay-z - Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life Album
Hard Knock Life is the third studio album by American rapper Jay-Z. It was released on September 29, 1998, by Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. Find great deals on eBay for vol. Hard knock life. Jay-Z Hard Knock Life Vol.2. Hard Knock Life Jay-Z CD album.
Contents. Background Speaking in December 1998 to noted UK urban writer Pete Lewis of the award-winning, Jay described the background to the album's lyrical themes: 'Primarily I see myself as so much more than a rapper. I really believe I'm the voice for a lot of people who don't have that microphone or who can't rap. So I wanted to represent and tell the story of everybody who's been through what I've been through, or knows somebody that has. I also wanted to speak about our lifestyle to people who – though they may live, say, in the suburbs and not be part of that world – still want to know about it and understand it.' Production Several tracks in this feature a rougher sound than the glossier production on, most notably the three tracks produced by beatmaker.
With the exception of Stevie J on 'Ride or Die,' Bad Boy producers play no role in Vol. 2, though Jay-Z enlisted, and for a more pop-oriented sound on three of the albums' singles. This would also be Jay-Z's last album to feature his mentor. Critical reception Professional ratings Review scores Source Rating 8.3/10 4.5/5 In a contemporary review for, deemed Vol. Hard Knock Life a progression from its predecessor, featuring more noticeable beats that would appeal to listeners other than just hip hop aesthetes. He highlighted the title track's 'audacious Annie sample' and the production of Swizz Beats, who he believed took influence from composers such and.
'And whatever Jay-Z's moral values', Christgau wrote, 'the man knows how to put words together and say them real fast.' He later gave it a three-star honorable mention in his Consumer Guide book, indicating 'an enjoyable effort that consumers attuned to its overriding aesthetic or individual vision may well treasure'.
In, said the record was 'an uneven if worthwhile' album whose best songs 'strip gangsta rap of its superthug bravado and replace it with a more nuanced understanding of the human emotions behind the gangsta facade'. Called it 'the epitome of mainstream hip hop' at the time. Hard Knock Life was later ranked number 46 on magazine's list of the 100 greatest albums from the 1990s. Commercial performance Vol. Became Jay-Z's first album to debut at #1 on the, selling over 350,000 copies in its first week. It is Jay-Z's best selling album as of 2013 and was certified 5x Platinum by the in 2000.
By 2013, the album had sold 5,400,000 copies in the United States. The album won at the.
Though he won the nomination he boycotted the ceremony, citing what he sees as the Grammys' continuing disrespect of hip hop because they were not going to broadcast the rap nominations. He told MTV, 'I am boycotting the Grammys because too many major rap artists continue to be overlooked. Rappers deserve more attention from the Grammy committee and from the whole world. If it's got a gun everybody knows about it; but if we go on a world tour, no one knows.' Track listing No.
Title Writer(s) Producer(s) Length 1. 'Intro – Hand It Down' (featuring ). Carter. Charles Carter. Buddy Hank. Roger Parker Dupri 4:13 Notes. – co-producer.
– uncredited co-producer. 'If I Should Die' features additional vocals by Wais and Half Dead. 'Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator 99)' features additional vocals. 'It's Like That' features additional vocals by Liz. Sample credits Intro (Hand It Down).
'Are You Man Enough' by. Contains lyrics from 'Coming of Age' by feat. Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem). 'It's The Hard Knock Life' from Money, Cash, Hoes. 'Theme of Thief' from Tohru Nakabayashi & Y. 'Dolphin' Takada (from the soundtrack) A Week Ago. 'Ballad for the Fallen Soldier' by Reservoir Dogs.
'Theme from Shaft' by. '24- Carat Black (Theme)' by 24 Carat Black. 'Know How' by It's Like That. 'Beggar's Song' by It's Alright.
'The Hall of Mirrors' by. 'Once In a Lifetime' by Money Ain't a Thang. 'Weak at the Knees' by Charts. Weekly charts Chart (1998) Peak position 20 76 U.S. Billboard 1 Singles Year Song 1998 ' 19 6 22 ' 15 10 2 1999 ' 116 36 19 ' 84 23 19 End of decade charts Chart (1990–1999) Position U.S. Billboard 200 62 Certifications Region Certification /Sales Canada Platinum 100,000 ^ United Kingdom Silver 60,000 ^ United States 5× Platinum 5,000,000 ^.sales figures based on certification alone ^shipments figures based on certification alone See also.
References. Lewis, Pete.,. at. ^ (2000). Christgau's Consumer Guide: Albums of the '90s. Pp. xvi, 149. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
Baker, Soren (1998-10-10). Retrieved 2013-07-16. ^ 'Review'.
Jay-z Vol. 2.. Hard Knock Life Full Album
December 2000. Retrieved 2013-07-16. Retrieved 2013-07-16. Christgau, Robert (November 1998). Retrieved September 4, 2016. Rabin, Nathan (2002-03-29). Retrieved 2013-07-16.
Retrieved September 4, 2016. Reiss, Randy (October 14, 1998). Retrieved June 26, 2017. Retrieved June 26, 2017. Retrieved June 26, 2017. Geoff Mayfield (December 25, 1999). Retrieved October 15, 2010.
Hard Knock Life in the search field and then press Enter. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH External links. at. at. at Awards and achievements Preceded by Succeeded by Preceded by by October 17, 1998 – November 20, 1998 Succeeded.