Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life Information & Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life Links at HealthHaven.com

Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life
Studio album by Jay-Z
Released	September 29, 1998
Recorded	1997-1998
Genre	East Coast hip hop
Length	61:43
Label	Roc-A-Fella Records/Def Jam
Producer	Swizz Beatz, DJ Premier, The 45 King, Timbaland, Stevie J, Irv Gotti, Erick Sermon, Kid Capri, Damon Dash, Jermaine Dupri, J-Runnah, Lil' Rob, Darold Trotter, Mahogany
Professional reviews
	Allmusic link; IGN (8.3/10) link; NME (6/10) link; Q link; RapReviews (2.0/10) link; Rhapsody (favorable) link; Rolling Stone link; The Source link; Yahoo! Music (favorable) link;
Jay-Z chronology
Singles from Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life
	"Money Ain't a Thang"; Released: April 1998; "It's Alright"; Released: July 21, 1998; "Can I Get A..."; Released: September 1, 1998; "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)"; Released: October 20, 1998; "Money, Cash, Hoes"; Released: February 23, 1999; "Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator 99)"; Released: November 30, 1999;

Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life is the third album released by rapper Jay-Z. 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 the Grammy award for Best Rap Album in 1999. The album sold 5 million copies in the US.It received mixed reviews from critics and hip-hop purists who felt his aims to be a crossover success had compromised the quality and complexity of his music. It was also criticized for its numerous guest appearances. However, it received a near-perfect 4.5 (out of 5)mics from The Source.

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.

[edit] Track listing

#	Title	Length	Producer(s)	Featured guest(s)
1	"Intro: Hand It Down"	2:56	DJ Premier	Memphis Bleek (only)
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

[edit] Samples

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

[edit] Chart positions

[edit] Album

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

[edit] Singles

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

Preceded by The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by Lauryn Hill	Billboard 200 number-one album October 17, 1998 – November 20, 1998	Succeeded by Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie by Alanis Morissette

[edit] External links