Vol. 2 Hard Knock Life

09/29/1998 3:00 AM, Yahoo! Music
Billy Johnson Jr

Not much needs to be said about hip-hop's current victor. Jay-Z simply has an incredibly infectious nonchalant rhyme flow and his lyrics shine brighter than his two carat, VVS diamond studded earrings. What motivated him to cop the spotlight, becoming hip-hop's newest phenomenon? Check "Money, Cash, Hoes," where he rhymes: "What's the dealings/ it's like New York's been soft/ ever since Snoop came through and crushed the buildings/ I'm trying to restore the feelings..."

Following the critical acclaim of his first two albums, Reasonable Doubt and In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, respectively, Vol. 2 Hard Knock Life presents more stories of street hustling over the largest batch of throbbing, irresistible hip-hop beats since Snoop's Doggystyle. Where Doggystyle boasts Dr. Dre's production, Vol. 2's most notable work comes from up-and-coming producer Swizz Beats, who impresses with his work on the staggering chimed "If I Should Die"; the tapping-bass-chord inclusive "Coming Of Age"; and the videogame-sound-effect incorporating "Money, Cash, Hoes," a slicing duet with DMX.

Still, there's plenty more to love: "Hard Knock Life"'s surprising sample of the Little Orphan Annie song. "Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator 99)" and "Paper Chase"'s punching drums and guitar plucks, compliments of Timbaland. Not to mention Jigga's other recent hits, "Can I Get A..." featuring Amil and Ja Rule as well as "Money Ain't A Thang," his collab with Jermaine Dupri which helped Dupri's Life In 1472 debut at the top of the charts.