Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life · This third studio album by Jay-Z was released on 29 September 1998 on Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam. The rapper wanted to be the voice of people who have no microphone of their own, and in the sleeve notes he himself talked about various tracks. The sound is rougher than on its predecessor In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, mainly because of three tracks by Swizz Beatz. For more pop-oriented work he brought in Timbaland, Jermaine Dupri and Irv Gotti.

The title track builds on a sample from the musical Annie, which the critic Robert Christgau called daring. Christgau also praised the quick way in which the rapper lays down his words. The album went straight in at number 1 on the Billboard 200 and won a Grammy for Best Rap Album, but he boycotted the ceremony because the rap categories were not broadcast. Rolling Stone later placed it at number 46 among the best albums of the 1990s.

Listening

Track list

1. 1Intro - Hand It Down (feat. Memphis Bleek)2:56Apple Music ↗
2. 2Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)3:58Apple Music ↗
3. 3If I Should Die (feat. Da Ranjahz)4:55Apple Music ↗
4. 4Ride Or Die4:48Apple Music ↗
5. 5Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator 99) [feat. Big Jaz]3:53Apple Music ↗
6. 6Money, Cash, Hoes (feat. DMX)4:46Apple Music ↗
7. 7A Week Ago (feat. Too $hort)5:00Apple Music ↗
8. 8Coming of Age (Da Sequel) [feat. Memphis Bleek]4:21Apple Music ↗
9. 9Can I Get A... (feat. Amil & Ja Rule)5:10Apple Music ↗
10. 10Paper Chase (feat. Foxy Brown)4:35Apple Music ↗
11. 11Reservoir Dogs (feat. THE LOX, Sauce Money & Beanie Sigel)5:19Apple Music ↗
12. 12It's Like That (feat. Kid Capri)3:45Apple Music ↗
13. 13It's Alright4:02Apple Music ↗
14. 14Money Ain't a Thang (feat. Jd)4:13Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗