Vol. 2, Hard Knock Life [Explicit Lyrics]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
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 Caramanica

The Source
With production support from such diverse trackstars as Primo, Timbaland, Swizz and Erick Sermon, among others, Jigga is off to the finals. No creatine. No andro. Just a simple formula for quality hip-hop.

Vol. 2, Hard Knock Life [Explicit Lyrics]

Vol. 2, Hard Knock Life,Jay-Z,Roc-a-Fella,East Coast Rap,Hip-Hop,Pop,Pop-Rap,Rap,Rap & Hip-Hop

Vol. 2, Hard Knock Life [Explicit Lyrics]

Vol. 2, Hard Knock Life [Explicit Lyrics]

Average customer rating:

HOW COME HAVE WE LET THIS RAPPER GET FAMOUS ????

Hard life

The beginning of Jay-Z Superstar!

one of jigga's best

It's A Hard Knock Life For Us (4 stars)

Vol. 2, Hard Knock Life
Jay-Z
Manufacturer: Roc-a-Fella
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

East Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
Gangsta & Hardcore | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Vol. 3: Life and Times of S. Carter

In My Lifetime, Vol. 1

The Blueprint

The Dynasty: Roc La Familia 2000

Reasonable Doubt

ASIN: B00000AFF9
Release Date: 1998-09-29

Tracks:

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

Amazon.com

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 Caramanica

Customer Reviews:

HOW COME HAVE WE LET THIS RAPPER GET FAMOUS ????.......2007-07-07

I bought this album in the last 1998, because I liked the Jermaine Dupri's song " Money ain't thang" (the last track of this album). In the same time I bought the excellent album of Jermaine Dupri "Life in 1472".
Just and only for this reason, I own this album of Jay-Z.
According to me, Jay-Z does well at Rap just and only in the collaborations with other rappers, that have him a guest in their albums, like Foxy Brown in "ILL NA NA " in the excellent track " I'll be" feATURING jAY-z OR LIKE NOTORIOUS B.I.G. in " Life after Deafh" in the nice track "I love the dough".
For the rest, Jay-z IS USEFUL FOR NOTHING !!!!!!!!!!!
So a question rises in spontaneous way : HOW COME HAS JAY-Z GOTTEN SO FAMOUS ?
PERHAPS THANKS TO PEOPLE LIKE ME, THAT BOUGHT A CD OF JAY-Z BY MISTAKE !!!!!!
WE have to support and let get famous talented rappers like Redman, Camp Lo, M.O.P., Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz, Onyx etc, and not, by mistake, rappers like Jay-Z.
If you want to buy a nice rap album, please check up my rap listmania, just clicking on my nickname and clicking above my listmania. Here there are 40 Hip-Hop albums choosed by me just for winning people and not for fans of the mortal masochism rap !!!
I assure that in my rap albums' list you will find the best American Hip-Hop albums. There are dance beats and strong ones and lyrics just for the winninf person in the life !!!

Hard life.......2006-12-05

Many people will diagree with me, but out of all the albums Jay has done this album is the hardest for me to listen to. Because he has to many people on this album. Jay does not need a person breathing on a album with him more or less having other people on the album. Yes, I know he was introducing Beans and others on this album. The Best Song is Hard Knock Life, and that's because he is on the record by himself. I have never liked this album as much as the rest because of all the people on the album. However, numbers do not lie, and many platinum sales later who care what I think, and opinions are like butt's everyone has one. But in my humble opinion the best parts of this album is whenever Jay spits other than that I skip the rest.

The beginning of Jay-Z Superstar!.......2006-09-22

Can I get a? was the first banger off this joint, then came the full leap to mainstream acceotance with Hard Knock Life(with it's Annie chorus). After this album Jay ruled hip hop. Even when DMX came along they co ruled but Jay was never knocked out of his #1 spot till Nas responded with ether in 2001. Anyways back to this review, Jay steps his game up from where he left off with "In my Lifetime vol 1". Most of the songs on here could have been sucessful singles such as Money Cash Hoes, Jigga What, Jigga Who, It's Alright, Money Aint A Thing and a couple more. The production was next level by Timbo and Swizz Beats.

one of jigga's best.......2006-07-29

i own this album and i like all the songs.
buy it! if you're a jay-z fan you won't be dissapointed

its tha ROC!

It's A Hard Knock Life For Us (4 stars).......2006-07-05

It seems like a lot of reviewers are idiots and just want to bash Jay-Z.

Jay-Z's third album Hard Knock life was a boost in his commercial sucess. More money, more cash, more hoes...and what not comming to him. Ironically, he decides to take a dive in the subject on the song "Money, Cash, Hoes". His second single "Hard Knock Life" was a rememberable song, because it was played on the radio. No problem with that, but it was stuck in my head. "N***a What?, N***a Who?" (or Jigga What? Jigga Who?) is a fast paced song featuring Jaz-O and Amil. I have the edited version of this CD, and for some reason they took out the entire hook to the song, so I'm just left with blank spots as the chorus and Amil comming in as the song fades out. One of my favorite tracks is "Reservoir Dogs" with The Lox, Beanie Sigel, and Sauce Money. Another favorite track is "It's Alright" with Memphis Bleek, rapping decent, but the beat makes the song more enjoyable.

There are a few skippable tracks though. "Comming Of Age (Da Sequel)" is okay, but I like the first one on the Reasonable Doubt album. "Ride Or Die" and "If I Should Die" both sounds dry and slapped together. "Paper Chase" isn't all that good because Foxy Brown spits some trashy rhymes in the beginning. The well known hit "Can I Get A..." from the Rush Hour OST. I have the radio edited version of this album, but I've also heard the explicit version to the song and it sounds trashy because of it's heavy vulgarity (mostly comming from Amil).

Those are the only flaws on this album. Other than that, if you love Jay-Z or mainstream 1998 rap music, I recommend this to you.

Lyrics: B
Production: B+
Guest Appearances: C+

Fav Tracks: Hand It Down, Hard Knock Life, Jigga What..., Money Cash Hoes, A Week Ago, Reservoir Dogs, It's Alright, Money Ain't A Thang

P.S.- To the reviewer below me: If you hate rap and Jay-Z so much, why did you buy this album?

Average customer rating:

Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life
Jay-Z
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

East Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Gangsta & Hardcore | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000243AA
Release Date: 1998-09-29

Tracks:

Hand It Down (Intro) - Jay-Z, Memphis Bleek
Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem) - Jay-Z
If I Should Die - Jay-Z, Ranjahz
Ride or Die - Jay-Z
Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator 99) - Big Jaz, Jay-Z
Money, Cash, Hoes - DMX, Jay-Z
Week Ago - Jay-Z, Too Short
Coming of Age (Da Sequel) - Jay-Z, , Memphis Bleek
Can I Get A... - Amil, Ja Rule, Jay-Z
Paper Chase - Foxy Brown, Jay-Z
Reservoir Dogs - Jay-Z, The LOX, Sauce Money, , Beanie Sigel
It's Like That - Jay-Z, Kid Capri
It's Alright [*] - Jay-Z, Memphis Bleek
Money Ain't a Thang [*] - Jermaine Dupri, Jay-Z

Vol. 2, Hard Knock Life [Edited Version]

Average customer rating:

"Stunningly poor second LP"? Puhlease!
Cool 2 tha core
classic
Good beats needs to tackle better issues
This Third album is betta than the second

Vol. 2, Hard Knock Life [Edited Version]
Jay-Z
Manufacturer: Roc-a-Fella
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

East Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Gangsta & Hardcore | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Vol. 3: Life and Times of S. Carter
Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse (Clean)
The Dynasty Roc la Familia
The Blueprint
Reasonable Doubt

ASIN: B00000AFFB
Release Date: 1998-09-29

Tracks:

Into-Hand It Down
Hard Knock LIfe
If I Should Die
Ride Or Die
N***A What, N*** Who
Money, Cash, H**s
A Week Ago
Coming Of Age
Can I Get A...
Paper Chase
Reservoir Dogs
It's Like That
It's Alright
Money Ain't A Thang

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

"Stunningly poor second LP"? Puhlease!.......2003-03-17

I will contradict and say this was Jigga's most pivotal LP and also launched the careers of Ja Rule and the phenomenal DMX.

Cool 2 tha core.......2002-11-02

It is a good album & I've got alot of cds!
But I like the way he uses the chorus from annie,
Buy this today!!
Dj will

classic.......2002-02-07

it doesn't get much better than this this cd all the tracks are good and volume 3 is just as good i dont know how this guy drops so many good track on one cd and come back and do it againgood job J

Good beats needs to tackle better issues.......2000-05-30

There's no doubt that Jigga is one of the most talented rappers around. He's great ryhmer and the beats in all his music are great. He needs tackle better issues than sex, hoes, drugs and pimpin' you know what i mean. I know thats part of his style and he can make any subject sound good. He just needs to rap about something a little more meaningful. Otherwise, this album is great.

This Third album is betta than the second.......1999-11-05

Nothing was better than Reasonable Doubts, but I must admit Hard-Knock Life is a good album, although I couldn't feel "In my lifetime". Trust me this is not a waste of money.

Average customer rating:

Best CD Ever!!!
WHAT, WHO?
This CD sucks!!!! j/k, it is tight
after albums drops put it in stores . rakim unversal allah
Jay-Z: Bomb lyracist gone commercial

Vol. 2, Hard Knock Life
Jay-Z
Manufacturer: Def Jam
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

East Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Gangsta & Hardcore | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000DALH
Release Date: 1998-09-29

Tracks:

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 Age
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

Tracks:

DJ Clue Snippets
Cru Love
Respect (Diamonds In Da Ruff)
Are You Ready (Sweaty)
Can I Live
Beanie Siegel Freestyle
Things Groupies Say
Pain In Da Ass (Outro)

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Best CD Ever!!!.......2004-10-04

I mean hard knock life was good with just 1 with 2 WHOA! watch out! DuDe!

WHAT, WHO?.......1999-05-06

JIGGA!!!!!!...has done it again I would have to say Jay-Z is one of the best lyricist of all time his flow is so smooth and his delivery is like the postman of the month, always on time. The only thing that kind of took away from the album was too many collabo's but not enough Jigga flows. Too be honest the collabo's wasn't that bad, I mean he had the #1 Dog DMX, the silky, yet improving Foxy Brown, and not to mention the hyped up Memphis Bleek.

This CD sucks!!!! j/k, it is tight.......1999-04-13

I would like to say, JAY-Z RULZ!!! So, that must mean that this album is pretty good too.

after albums drops put it in stores . rakim unversal allah.......1999-03-20

i didn't get a chance to actually hear the record but from what jay-z has put out the man has took hip-hop to another level .

Jay-Z: Bomb lyracist gone commercial.......1998-12-01

With this album, Jay-Z has gone mainsteam and the album suffers because of it. Jay-z, one of the smoothest skylers of all time continues to amaze with phat rhymes, but the beats and samples are sub-par. As Cipher Complete said: " Not a terrible album, but true hip-hop fans will come away dissapointed.