Jay-Z - Vol. 2, Hard Knock Life
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CD Details
Artist: Jay-ZEdition: Music CD
Format: Explicit Lyrics
CD Release Date: 1998-09-29
Music Label: Roc-a-Fella
Soundtracks:
- Intro - Hand It Down
- Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)
- If I Should Die
- Ride Or Die
- Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator 99)
- Money, Cash, Hoes
- A Week Ago
- Coming Of Age (Da Sequel)
- Can I Get A...
- Paper Chase
- Reservoir Dogs
- It's Like That
- It's Alright
- Money Ain't A Thang
Music reviews of Vol. 2, Hard Knock Life
Music Review: Case of a Flawless Mainstream Release!
Rating: 5 Stars
Jay-Z began his career off with Reasonable Doubt sounding somewhat underground [which he actually was] and blazing rhymes/lyrics. If the game is the NBA and each album is a player then Reasonable Doubt was definitely "Rookie of the Year." In My Lifetime Vol. 1 signalled Jay-Z attempting to go a bit more mainstream but keeping it street and still in the gutter. It was a great mix.
Hard Knock Life Vol. 2 is, in my eyes, the best overall mainstream attempt by an originally underground artist. He uses the likes of producers from MANY backgrounds to give a very diverse sound that always sounds the right pitch in my ears. His first two albums were introducing one of the greats and Hard Knock Life signalled that Jay was here to stay.
This album was for sure the first to give Jay MAJOR air and video play. It was through this album that I was introduced to Jay and his unique sound and for many others, I'm SURE.
Intro f/ Memphis Bleek: Nice bad-ass intro making Jay appear to be some supreme gangster that can't be touched. Bleek [Jay's protege] rides the Primo beat very well in his first return on a Jay album since Reasonable Doubt [he was, like what, 15 when he debuted on that].
Hard Knock Life: I would have thought that using the theme from Annie would be corny and useless but, in a strange way, he uses it to make his hot lyrics and delivery much harder. His 1st signle is a sure-shot-hit that will stick in your head.
If I Should Die f/ Da Ranjahz: Hot song produced by Swizz Beats. Jay provied a classic and Da Ranjahz, whoever they are, are tight as well. They talk about what it would be like if they died and how to leave their legacies going. One of my favorites from the album.
Ride Or Die: One of the very few average songs. Still nice... it's like Jay can take any beat and sound ill over it no matter what.
*iggawhat, *iggawho f/ Big Jaz-O & Amil: One of Timbo's BEST BEST tracks ever. Sometimes I wonder how the hell he can come up with tracks like this. Jay raps faster than normal as does Jaz-O and they both tear up this track probably better than any other. Another favorite.
Money, Cash, Hoes f/ DMX: More Swizz Beats... hot track and DMX outshines Jay on his own sh*t only because D is one of the best as well. Peep the remix with Bleek and Beanie--even hotter and one of the crew's best!
A Week Ago f/ Too $hort: Great track that tells a story of Jay and a friend upon which one gets locked up and how their relationship develops. Chill beat but hard at the same time. Too $hort gives only the chorus but just that contribution is tight alone. Good example of how all the collabos are relevant and none are useless or bad. Definitely one of my favs.
Coming of Age Pt. 2 f/ Memphis Bleek: Another Swizz track that BANGS. Tight narration of Jay and his protege in the drug game and how he wants more power to overthrow his mentor. They occasionally switch off between the hot chorus only to tear it up! Outshined pt. 1 which is hard to do because the track off Reasonable Doubt was flawless as well--same story too. First album favorite and one of the all-time contenders for Jay's best song.
Can I Get A... f/ Ja Rule & Amil: Wow... one of the hottest songs ever recorded! Production surprisingly by Irv Gotti from Murder Inc. definitely a stand-out and Irv's best beat. Amil is hot over it as is Ja Rule [this was actually Ja's first appearance on a major track--ever!] Introduced Ja to the world for the first time. Another fav!
Paper Chase f/ Foxy Brown: Hot song which sounds a lot like Foxy's Bonnie & Clyde Pt. 2 from Chyna Doll. Timbo gives his other ill-contribution here. Foxy does well teaming up wit her boy HOVA.
Resevoir Dogs f/ Sauce Money, Beanie Sigel & the LOX: Hot song surprisingly produced by E-Dub [Erick Sermon]. Different choice but WORKS! The LOX rip it up with Beanie and Jay but I think it is Sauce $$$ that takes the track! No real chorus so it's just a tight-ass crew track.
It's Like That f/ & produced by Kid Capri: I've heard this sample before... tight beat ha ha! Chiller than normal and Kid Capri adds to this. Jay stays consistent and provides tight lyrics as normal. Nice chorus.
It's Alright f/ Memphis Bleek: Hmmm... one of the weirdest beats I've ever heard [maybe that's cuz Dame Dash produced it and he's just good for running the biz and crap like that?...] Curious to hear another from Dame. Jay and Bleek do hot like normal and ride the weird beat pretty good. The weakest song on the cd--still nice though.
Money Ain't A Thang f/ & produced by Jermaine Dupri: HOT HOT HOT song by Jay & JD. The way mainstream sh*t should be. One of the hottest beats I've ever heard which is kinda weird cuz it's rather simple. But that can be explained by JD being behind the boards. Another great fav!
This album brought Jay to the masses! This is my favorite album of his though I know it isn't his best ~ the Blueprint and Reasonable Doubt etc. No matter what, it is some of the HOTTEST stuff I've ever heard. I'm a real hip-hop fan who appreciates everything the game has to offer so finding such a mainstream release to be so TIGHT is a miracle of God and H.O.V.A.! Cop it!
Description of Vol. 2, Hard Knock Life
Only an artist of Jay-Z's stature could have survived the indignity of In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, his stunningly poor second LP, and remain standing as one of the premier lyricists of his generation. Like Biggie did on Life After Death, Jay-Z diversifies his style here--with the Timbaland-laced "Nigga What, Nigga Who" and the dialogue "Coming of Age" (which revisits the young hustler from Jay-Z's first LP, Reasonable Doubt)--demonstrating that even when experimenting with flow, he can still crush his peers. Though the album falters notably at the end (the lazy funk of "Paper Chase," "Reservoir Dogs," and "It's Like That" could be safely cut without incident), Shawn Carter has nonetheless reclaimed his mantle as rap's leading don. --Jon CaramanicaOnly an artist of Jay-Z's stature could have survived the indignity of In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, his stunningly poor second LP, and remain standing as one of the premier lyricists of his generation. Like Biggie did on Life After Death, Jay-Z diversifies his style here--with the Timbaland-laced "Nigga What, Nigga Who" and the dialogue "Coming of Age" (which revisits the young hustler from Jay-Z's first LP, Reasonable Doubt)--demonstrating that even when experimenting with flow, he can still crush his peers. Though the album falters notably at the end (the lazy funk of "Paper Chase," "Reservoir Dogs," and "It's Like That" could be safely cut without incident), Shawn Carter has nonetheless reclaimed his mantle as rap's leading don. --Jon Caramanica
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