Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life [PA]

Performer: Jay-Z
Artist: DMX; Foxy Brown; Memphis Bleek; Da Ranjahz; Big Jaz; Too Short; Ja Rule; Amil; The Lox; Beanie Sigel; Sauce Money; Kid Capri; Jermaine Dupri
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Personnel includes: Jay-Z (rap vocals); Wais, Half Dead, Big Jaz, Amil, Liz (vocals); Steven Jordan, Lil' Rob (various instruments); Jake Carter, Mike (guitar); Kid Capri (programming); Memphis Bleek, Da Ranjahz, DMX, Too Short, Ja Rule, Amil, Foxy Brown, Jermaine Dupri, The Lox, Beenie Siegel, Sauce Money. Producers include: Premier, Mark 45, Swizz Beats, Steven Jordan, Timbaland. Engineers include: Eddie Sancho, Paul Falcon, Joe Quinde. VOL. 2 HARD KNOCK LIFE won the 1999 Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. "Hard Knock Life" was nominated for a 1999 Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance. "Money Ain't A Thang" was nominated for a 1999 Grammy for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group. Jay-Z is a rapper's rapper. He is the lyricist all other MCs want to be, and he has the beats over which every other MC wants to rhyme. His third album, VOL. 2 HARD KNOCK LIFE, further verifies Jay-Z's #1 status. Throughout his musical career, Jay-Z has shown that he has the skills to pay more than just the bills. Experimenting like few other rap artists have, Jay-Z uses the Broadway musical Annie's "Hard Knock Life" for his title track and first single. With its hardcore production, "Money, Cash, Hoes" allows Jay-Z to demonstrate his lyrical skill alongside DMX. "Paper Chase" features Foxy Brown and diversifies VOL. 2 with its Southern Timbaland-produced feel.

Rolling Stone (5/13/99, p.77) - Included in Rolling Stone's "Essential Recordings of the 90's." Q (12/00, p.144) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Boasts Timbaland, DMX, Jermaine Dupri, Foxy Brown and an infectious title track sampling the musical Annie. It couldn't fail: the epitome of mainstream hip hop, and intentionally so." The Source (11/98, p.190) - 4.5 Mics (out of 5) - "...On his third try for the trophy, the mayor of Marcy Projects took time during the offseason to perfect his method..."

Considered one of the best lyricists to emerge in the wake of the Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac's deaths, Jay-Z has since carried the flag of hip-hop narrative skill. His Roc-A-Fella family had already created a solid reputation based on Jay-Z's 1997 debut. As his fame has grown, so has his tendency to bring more R&B production elements into his work, creating a club-friendly, danceable version of east coast gangsta hip-hop that hasn't diminished his reputation as a preeminent force in rap. Perhaps even more importantly, Jay-Z has become a powerful musica impresario. In his role as president/CEO of Def Jam in the early 2000s, he fostered the careers of popular R&B singers Rihanna and Ne-Yo, and enjoyed a high profile as a co-owner of the New Jersey Nets basketball team. His long relationship and eventual marriage to superstar Beyonce has further endeared him to fans.

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