Shopping > Music > Jay-Z > Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life

Jay-Z - Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life (CD)

Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life
$8.89 - $8.99
4.3 out of 5.0 stars 32 Ratings (31 Reviews)

Album Details: Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life

Release Date:09/29/1998
Label:Roc-a-fella
UPC:731455890228

Other Available Formats: Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life

User Reviews: Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life

  • Overall:

    JIGGA JIGGA JAY-Z...

    By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jul 13, 2001 | 1 out of 1 found this Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life review helpful

    PHAT CD....NOT AS GOOD AS REASONABLE DOUBT, BUT SOME FUKIN BLAZIN TUNES ON THIS, WELL WORTH CHECKIN OUT

  • Overall:

    Lyrics:

    Music:

    HARD NOCK LIFE IS STILL GOOD

    By Yahoo! Shopping User  May 21, 2005

    Pros: ITS HOVA

    Cons: TOO MANY ARTISTS

    HARD KNOCK LIFE WAS A1 AND TO TELL THE TRUTH WHO AM I TO CRITICIZE ANOTHER MANS WORK. BUT PRETTY MUCH EVERY SONG ON THERE GOES A100 AND THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAD WAS ONE SONG WITH TOO MANY ARTIST AND NOT ENOUGH JIGGA.

Pro Reviews: Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life

  • All Music Guide

    Coming on the heels of two strong records which revealed the extent of Jay-Z's talents, Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life (it may be titled Vol. 2, but it's his third album, arguably his fourth if you count the Streets Is Watching soundtrack) is a little bit of a relative disappointment. Jay-Z had established himself as a savvy, street-smart rapper on those two records, but with Hard Knock Life he decided to shoot for crossover territory, for better and for worse. At his best, he shows no fear -- witness how the title track shamelessly works a Broadway showstopper from Annie into a raging ghetto cry, yet keeps it smooth enough for radio. It's a stunning single, but unfortunately, it promises more than the rest of the album can deliver. Jay-Z remains a first-rate lyricist and MC, but too often his subjects are tired, especially since he winds up with no new revelations. Unfortunately, the same could be said for his music. For every "Hard Knock Life," there are a couple of standard post-gangsta ja...ms that don't catch hold -- and that's really too bad, because the best moments (including several tracks produced by such stars as Timbaland, Kid Capri, and Jermaine Dupri) are state-of-the-art, RB-inflected mainstream hip-hop. And that's the problem -- before, Jay-Z wasn't trying to play by the rules of the mainstream, but here he's trying to co-opt them. At times he does, but the times that fall flat have less strength or integrity than their predecessors, and that's what makes the entire record not quite as effective, despite its numerous high points. - Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide Read more Less

Compare Prices: Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life

Store Store Rating Price Notes/Coupons

Tower Records

51 Ratings

(41 Reviews)

Write a review

$8.99Total Price N/A New Item free us shipping for items over $25!!! Go to Store

Amazon.com Marketplace

48 Ratings

(29 Reviews)

Write a review

$8.89Total Price N/A New Item fantastic prices with ease & comfort of amazon Go to Store

SecondSpin.com

Write a review

$8.99Total Price N/A New Item

3 Coupons & Deals

Go to Store

Rate & Write a Review: Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life

All fields marked with * are required
0 out of 5.0 stars
0 out of 5.0 stars
0 out of 5.0 stars
Maximum of 4,000 characters
Cancel

Rate & Write a Review: Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life

Thank You. Your review has been posted.
View your postClose

Biography

Jay-Z

Embodying the ragstoriches rap dream, JayZ pulled himself up by his bootstraps as a youth to eventually become the reigning rapper of New York City and, in turn, a majorlabel executive following his shortlived retirement from musicmaking. In the wake of his 1996 debut, Reasonable Doubt, JayZ's albums sold millions upon millions with each release, and his endless parade ... Read more