Hard Knock Life [PA] by Jay-Z (CD, Sep-1998, Def Jam (USA))

Album Features
UPC:	731455890228
Artist:	Jay-Z
Format:	CD
Release Year:	1998
Record Label:	Def Jam (USA)
Genre:	East Coast Rap, R&B

Track Listing
1. Hand It Down (Intro) - (featuring Memphis Bleek)
2. Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)
3. If I Should Die - (featuring Da Ranjahz)
4. Ride or Die
5. Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator 99) - (featuring Big Jaz)
6. Money, Cash, Hoes - (featuring DMX)
7. Week Ago, A - (featuring Too $hort)
8. Coming of Age (Da Sequel) - (featuring Memphis Bleek)
9. Can I Get A... - (featuring Amil/Ja Rule)
10. Paper Chase - (featuring Foxy Brown)
11. Reservoir Dogs - (featuring The LOX/Beanie Sigel/Sauce Money)
12. It's Like That - (featuring Kid Capri)
13. It's Alright - (bonus track, featuring Memphis Bleek)
14. Money Ain't a Thang - (bonus track, featuring Jermaine Dupri)

Details
Contributing Artists:	DMX, Beanie Sigel, Too Short, Kid Capri, Ja Rule, Foxy Brown, Jermaine Dupri, Memphis Bleek, The Lox, Big Jaz, Sauce Money, Amil, Da Ranjahz
Distributor:	Universal Distribution
Recording Type:	Studio
Recording Mode:	Stereo
SPAR Code:	n/a

Album 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.Personnel: Ja Rule (vocals, rap vocals); Jake Carter (guitar).Audio Mixers: Eddie Sancho ; Jimmy Douglass; Joe Quinde; Kevin Crouse; Tony Black.Recording information: D&D Studios, New York, NY; Hit Factory, New York, NY; Manhattan Center Studios, New York, NY; Quad Studios, Nashville, TN; Sony Studios, New York, NY.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.

Editorial Reviews
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...
The Source (19981101)

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.
Q (20001201)

Included in Rolling Stone's Essential Recordings of the 90's.
Rolling Stone (19990513)