Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life

Untitled

Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life is the third studio album by American rapper Jay-Z, released September 29, 1998 on Roc-a-Fella Records in the United States. The album propelled Jay-Z into superstar status and cemented him as a household name. It also helped him emerge as an extremely dominant force in the post Biggie/Tupac era of hip hop. This album also won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album in 1999. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and eventually sold 5.7 million copies in the US and 7.9 million Worldwide. Upon its release, the album received generally mixed to positive reviews from most music critics, while hip hop purists felt his aims to be a crossover success had compromised the quality and complexity of his music.

Music

Several tracks on this album feature a rougher sound than the glossier Bad Boy production on In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, most notably the three tracks produced by Ruff Ryders beatmaker Swizz Beatz. With the exception of Stevie J on "Ride or Die," Bad Boy producers play no role in Vol. 2, though Jay-Z enlisted Jermaine Dupri, Timbaland and Irv Gotti for a more pop-oriented sound on three of the albums' singles.

Track listing

#	Title	Length	Producer(s)	Featured guest(s)
1	"Intro: Hand It Down"	2:56	DJ Premier	Memphis Bleek (solo)
2	"Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)"	3:59	The 45 King
3	"If I Should Die"	4:55	Swizz Beatz	Da Ranjahz
4	"Ride or Die"	4:48	Steven "Stevie J" Jordan of The Hitmen
5	"Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator 99)"	3:53	Timbaland	Big Jaz
6	"Money, Cash, Hoes"	4:46	Swizz Beatz	DMX
7	"A Week Ago"	5:01	J-Runnah	Too Short
8	"Coming of Age (Da Sequel)"	4:21	Swizz Beatz	Memphis Bleek
9	"Can I Get A..."	5:10	Irv Gotti & Lil’ Rob	Amil & Ja Rule
10	"Paper Chase"	4:35	Timbaland	Foxy Brown
11	"Reservoir Dogs"	5:19	Erick Sermon; Co-produced by Darold Trotter	The LOX, Beanie Sigel, & Sauce Money
12	"It's Like That"	3:45	Kid Capri	Kid Capri
13	"It's Alright"	4:02	Damon Dash & Mahogany	Memphis Bleek
14	"Money Ain't a Thang"	4:14	Jermaine Dupri	Jermaine Dupri

Sample credits

Intro (Hand It Down)

• "Are You Man Enough" by The Four Tops
• "Contains lyrics from "Coming Of Age" by Jay-Z ft Memphis Bleek

Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)

• "It's a Hard Knock Life" from Annie

A Week Ago

• "Ballad for the Fallen Soldier" by The Isley Brothers

Reservoir Dogs

• "Theme from Shaft" by Isaac Hayes
• "24- Carat Black (Theme)" by 24 Carat Black
• "Know How" by Young MC

It's Like That

• "Beggar's Song" by Wet Willie

It's Alright

• "The Hall of Mirrors" by Kraftwerk
• "Once In a Lifetime" by Talking Heads

Money Ain't a Thang

• "Weak at the Knees" by Steve Arrington
• "Broken Wings" by Mr. Mister

Chart history

Album

Chart (1998)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard 200	1
U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums	1
Canadian Albums Chart	13

Singles

Year	Song	Billboard Hot 100	Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks	Hot Rap Singles
1998	"Can I Get A..."	19	6	22
	"Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)"	15	10	2
1999	"Money, Cash, Hoes"	116	36	19
	"Jigga What, Jigga Who"	84	23	19

Chart procession and succession

External links

• Samplin' Annie at Vibe
• Jay-Z interview at Blues & Soul