In My Lifetime, Vol. 1
Encyclopedia
In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 is the second studio album
by American rapper Jay-Z
, released November 4, 1997 on Roc-A-Fella Records
. Despite mixed criticism towards its more mainstream-oriented sound and lyrical substance, the album debuted at number 3 on the U.S. Billboard 200
chart and was certified platinum
in sales by the RIAA in the United States.
, Teddy Riley, Too $hort
, Lil' Kim
, and Puff Daddy. Producers for Reasonable Doubt such as DJ Premier
and Ski
contribute to a limited number of beats on this album, though the majority of the production is handled by beatmakers from Puff Daddy's Bad Boy label, giving the album a generally glossier sound than its predecessor. It displayed a shift from the mafioso rap themes of his first effort to the so called "jiggy" era of late 90's hip-hop, often credited to videos and albums from Puff Daddy and his Bad Boy
record label's roster of artists including Notorious B.I.G. (the first two singles from his second album were both huge pop hits) and Mase
.
gave the album three out of four stars and called it "a rock-solid set with both street and pop appeal". Chicago Tribune
writer Soren Baker commented that Jay-Z's lyrics "contain a finesse and insight few can articulate as succinctly", adding that "His use of pop producers Teddy Riley and Sean "Puffy" Combs will alienate listeners, even as Jay-Z establishes himself as that rare underground rhymer with commercial appeal". In his consumer guide for The Village Voice
, critic Robert Christgau
gave the album an honorable mention rating, indicating "[a] likable effort consumers attuned to its overriding aesthetic or individual vision may well enjoy". Christgau noted "(Always Be My) Sunshine" and "Real Niggaz" as highlights and quipped "arrogant yet diffident, ruthless yet cute--a scary original". However, Chris Norris of Spin
commented that Jay-Z's raps are "for the most part [...] in search of meaty ideas or distinctive charm—skills without pleasure" and criticized its several producers, stating "without one sure, guiding vision, the Combs
blueprint comes off as either mundane or embarrassing".
In a retrospective review, Allmusic editor John Bush gave the album four-and-a-half out of five stars and stated "Though the productions are just a bit flashier and more commercial than on his debut, Jay-Z remained the tough street rapper, and even improved a bit on his flow". Bush viewed that he "struts the line between project
poet and up-and-coming player", adding that "he balances both personas with the best rapping heard in the rap game since the deaths of 2Pac
and Notorious B.I.G.
".
"The City Is Mine"
"I Know What Girls Like"
"Imaginary Player"
"Streets Is Watching"
"Friend or Foe '98"
"(Always Be My) Sunshine"
"Who You Wit II"
"Face Off"
"Rap Game/Crack Game"
"Where I'm From"
"You Must Love Me"
Singles
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by American rapper Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
, released November 4, 1997 on Roc-A-Fella Records
Roc-A-Fella Records
Roc-A-Fella Records is a record label founded by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Damon "Dame" Dash, and Kareem "Biggs" Burke. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Island Def Jam Motown Music Group.-Formation and Early Years:...
. Despite mixed criticism towards its more mainstream-oriented sound and lyrical substance, the album debuted at number 3 on the U.S. Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
chart and was certified platinum
RIAA certification
In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets. Other countries have similar awards...
in sales by the RIAA in the United States.
Music
The album features guest contributions by Foxy Brown, Babyface, BlackstreetBlackstreet
Blackstreet is an American R&B group founded in 1991 by Thomas Taliaferro and Teddy Riley, the inventor of New Jack Swing known for his work as a member of Guy. Chauncey Hannibal and Levi Little were signed under production and management contracts with Thomas Taliaferro and were merged into what...
, Teddy Riley, Too $hort
Too $hort
Todd Anthony Shaw , better known by the stage name Too Short , is an American rapper, producer, and actor who started his career at the age of fourteen in East Oakland, Oakland, California.-Career:...
, Lil' Kim
Lil' Kim
Kimberly Denise Jones , better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper and actress who was a member of the group Junior M.A.F.I.A.....
, and Puff Daddy. Producers for Reasonable Doubt such as DJ Premier
DJ Premier
Christopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru...
and Ski
Ski (producer)
David Willis, otherwise known as DJ Ski and Ski Beatz, is an American record producer mainly working in hip hop.-Biography:Discovered by DJ Clark Kent, Ski was originally known as "MC Will-Ski". In the 1990s, he was a member of the group Original Flavor, the first group managed by future recording...
contribute to a limited number of beats on this album, though the majority of the production is handled by beatmakers from Puff Daddy's Bad Boy label, giving the album a generally glossier sound than its predecessor. It displayed a shift from the mafioso rap themes of his first effort to the so called "jiggy" era of late 90's hip-hop, often credited to videos and albums from Puff Daddy and his Bad Boy
Bad Boy Records
Bad Boy Records is a record label founded in 1993 by producer/rapper/entrepreneur Sean "Diddy" Combs. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, and is distributed by Atlantic Records.-Beginnings:...
record label's roster of artists including Notorious B.I.G. (the first two singles from his second album were both huge pop hits) and Mase
Mase
Mason Durell Betha , better known by stage name Mase who was previously known as Murda Ma$e, is an American rapper, songwriter, actor and inspirational speaker...
.
Reception
Steve Jones of USA TodayUSA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
gave the album three out of four stars and called it "a rock-solid set with both street and pop appeal". Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
writer Soren Baker commented that Jay-Z's lyrics "contain a finesse and insight few can articulate as succinctly", adding that "His use of pop producers Teddy Riley and Sean "Puffy" Combs will alienate listeners, even as Jay-Z establishes himself as that rare underground rhymer with commercial appeal". In his consumer guide for The Village Voice
The Village Voice
The Village Voice is a free weekly newspaper and news and features website in New York City that features investigative articles, analysis of current affairs and culture, arts and music coverage, and events listings for New York City...
, critic Robert Christgau
Robert Christgau
Robert Christgau is an American essayist, music journalist, and self-proclaimed "Dean of American Rock Critics".One of the earliest professional rock critics, Christgau is known for his terse capsule reviews, published since 1969 in his Consumer Guide columns...
gave the album an honorable mention rating, indicating "[a] likable effort consumers attuned to its overriding aesthetic or individual vision may well enjoy". Christgau noted "(Always Be My) Sunshine" and "Real Niggaz" as highlights and quipped "arrogant yet diffident, ruthless yet cute--a scary original". However, Chris Norris of Spin
Spin (magazine)
Spin is a music magazine founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr.-History:In its early years, the magazine was noted for its broad music coverage with an emphasis on college-oriented rock music and on the ongoing emergence of hip-hop. The magazine was eclectic and bold, if sometimes haphazard...
commented that Jay-Z's raps are "for the most part [...] in search of meaty ideas or distinctive charm—skills without pleasure" and criticized its several producers, stating "without one sure, guiding vision, the Combs
Sean Combs
Sean John Combs , also known by his stage names Diddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally...
blueprint comes off as either mundane or embarrassing".
In a retrospective review, Allmusic editor John Bush gave the album four-and-a-half out of five stars and stated "Though the productions are just a bit flashier and more commercial than on his debut, Jay-Z remained the tough street rapper, and even improved a bit on his flow". Bush viewed that he "struts the line between project
Public housing in the United States
Public housing in the United States has been administered by federal, state and local agencies to provide subsidized assistance for low-income and people living in poverty. Now increasingly provided in a variety of settings and formats, originally public housing in the U.S...
poet and up-and-coming player", adding that "he balances both personas with the best rapping heard in the rap game since the deaths of 2Pac
Tupac Shakur
Tupac Amaru Shakur , known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. Shakur has sold over 75 million albums worldwide as of 2007, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world...
and Notorious B.I.G.
The Notorious B.I.G.
Christopher George Latore Wallace , best known as The Notorious B.I.G., was an American rapper. He was also known as Biggie Smalls , Big Poppa, and The Black Frank White .Wallace was raised in the Brooklyn borough...
".
Track listing
- The track "Streets Is Watching" is edited on both the explicit and edited versions of the album.
Sample credits
"Intro: A Million and One Questions/Rhyme No More"- "One in a MillionOne in a Million (Aaliyah song)"One in a Million" is an R&B song by American recording artist Aaliyah from her second studio album, One in a Million . The song was the third main single from One in a Million following "Got to Give It Up", but in North America the song was the second single, because "Got to Give It Up" was not...
" by AaliyahAaliyahAaliyah Dana Haughton , who performed under the mononym Aaliyah , was an American R&B recording artist, actress and model. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was raised in Detroit, Michigan. At the age of 10, she appeared on the television show Star Search and performed in concert alongside... - "Let Me Go" by LatimoreLatimore (musician)Benjamin "Benny" Latimore , usually known professionally simply as Latimore, is an American R&B singer, songwriter and pianist....
- "Car of Love" by Main Ingredient
- "Break Up to Make Up" by Ferrante & TeicherFerrante & TeicherFerrante & Teicher were a duo of American piano players, known for their light arrangements of familiar classical pieces, movie soundtracks, and show tunes.-Career:...
- "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" by Isaac HayesIsaac HayesIsaac Lee Hayes, Jr. was an American songwriter, musician, singer and actor. Hayes was one of the creative influences behind the southern soul music label Stax Records, where he served both as an in-house songwriter and as a record producer, teaming with his partner David Porter during the...
- "Cause I Need It" by Dorothy AshbyDorothy AshbyDorothy Ashby was an American jazz harpist and composer.Along with Alice Coltrane, Ashby extended the popularization of jazz harp past a novelty, showing how the instrument can be utilized seamlessly as much a bebop instrument as the saxophone...
(sampled in the DJ PremierDJ PremierChristopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru...
remix of "A Million and One Questions") - "Suspense, Approaching, and Landing" by John CacavasJohn CacavasJohn Cacavas is a composer and conductor probably best known for his television scores, notably Kojak, for which he was the chief composer, and for which he composed the second main title theme, used throughout the show's 5th and final season...
(sampled in the DJ PremierDJ PremierChristopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru...
remix of "A Million and One Questions")
"The City Is Mine"
- "You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else" by The Jones GirlsThe Jones GirlsThe Jones Girls were an R&B trio of sisters from Detroit, Michigan. They first recorded for GM Records in 1968, then recorded for Philadelphia International Records with Gamble & Huff.-History:...
- "You Belong to the City" by Glenn FreyGlenn FreyGlenn Lewis Frey is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and actor, best known as a founding member of the Eagles. Frey formed the Eagles after he met drummer Don Henley in 1970 and the two eventually joined Linda Ronstadt's backup band for her summer tour. The Eagles formed in 1971 and...
"I Know What Girls Like"
- "I Know What Boys Like" by The WaitressesThe WaitressesThe Waitresses were an experimental new wave band from Akron, Ohio. The group was led by guitarist/songwriter Chris Butler with lead vocals performed by Patty Donahue.-Career:...
- "A Fly Girl" by Boogie BoysBoogie BoysBoogie Boys was an American hip hop group from Harlem, New York. It was the first hip hop group that signed with Capitol/EMI Records, and it had a major hit in America in 1985 with the single "A Fly Girl" and several successful albums...
"Imaginary Player"
- "Imaginary Playmates" by René & AngelaRené & AngelaRené & Angela were an 1980s R&B duo consisting of artist/producers René Moore and Angela Winbush. The group dissolved by the mid 1980s. Both went on to successful solo careers as performers, songwriters, and producers.-Studio albums:-Compilation albums:...
"Streets Is Watching"
- "I Got The" by Labi SiffreLabi SiffreLabi Siffre is a British poet, songwriter, musician and singer most widely known as the writer and singer of " So Strong", "It Must Be Love" and "I Got The", the sampled rhythm track which provides the basis for a number of well-known hip hop tracks such as Eminem’s breakthrough hit single, "My...
- Dialogue from Sleepers
"Friend or Foe '98"
- "Car Of Love" by Main Ingredient
"(Always Be My) Sunshine"
- "Sunshine" by Alexander O'NealAlexander O'NealAlexander O'Neal is an American R&B singer. He is best-known for the songs "If You Were Here Tonight" and "Fake", and the duets with Cherrelle, "Saturday Love" and "Never Knew Love Like This".-Biography:...
- "Rockin' It" by The Fearless Four
- "Cha Cha Cha" by MC LyteMC LyteMC Lyte is an American rapper who first gained fame in the late-1980s becoming the first solo female rapper to release a full album with 1988's critically acclaimed Lyte as a Rock.-Early life:...
"Who You Wit II"
- "Night Love" by Jeff Lorber FusionJeff LorberJeff Lorber is an American Grammy Award-nominated keyboardist, composer, and record producer.After leading his own group, The Jeff Lorber Fusion, he went on to pioneer the smooth jazz genre....
"Face Off"
- "Soul MakossaSoul Makossa"Soul Makossa" is a 1972 single by Cameroonian makossa saxophonist Manu Dibango. It is often cited as one of the first disco records. In 1972 David Mancuso found a copy in a Brooklyn West Indian record store and often played it at his Loft parties. The response was so positive that the few copies...
" by Manu DibangoManu Dibango-External links:*...
"Rap Game/Crack Game"
- "Fopp" by Ohio PlayersOhio PlayersThe Ohio Players were an American funk and R&B band, most popular in the 1970s. They are best known for their double #1 hit songs "Fire" and "Love Rollercoaster".- Biography :...
- "Represent" by NasNasNasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
- "Myintrotoletuknow" by OutkastOutKastOutkast is an American hip hop duo based in East Point, Georgia, consisting of Atlanta native André "André 3000" Benjamin and Savannah, Georgia-born Antwan "Big Boi" Patton. They were originally known as Two Shades Deep but later changed the group's name to OutKast...
(vocals by Andre 3000André 3000André Lauren Benjamin , better known by his stage name André 3000 is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and actor, best known for being part of American hip-hop duo OutKast alongside fellow rapper Big Boi...
) - "Resource" by Philip GlassPhilip GlassPhilip Glass is an American composer. He is considered to be one of the most influential composers of the late 20th century and is widely acknowledged as a composer who has brought art music to the public .His music is often described as minimalist, along with...
"Where I'm From"
- "Let Your Hair Down" by Yvonne FairYvonne FairYvonne Fair was an African American singer, best known for her 1976 recording of "It Should Have Been Me".-Biography:...
- "Bad Bad Man" by Fat JoeFat JoeJoseph Antonio Cartagena , better known by his stage name Fat Joe, is an American rapper, CEO of Terror Squad Entertainment, and member of musical groups D.I.T.C. and Terror Squad....
- "Young G's" by P. Diddy (vocals by Jay-Z)
- "Me & My Bitch" by The Notorious B.I.G.The Notorious B.I.G.Christopher George Latore Wallace , best known as The Notorious B.I.G., was an American rapper. He was also known as Biggie Smalls , Big Poppa, and The Black Frank White .Wallace was raised in the Brooklyn borough...
(in the post-song "interview" skit, B.I.G. says "BrooklynBrooklynBrooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
" in response to being asked where he's from)
"You Must Love Me"
- "What Am I Waiting For" by The O'JaysThe O'JaysThe O'Jays are an American R&B group from Canton, Ohio, formed in 1963 and originally consisting of Eddie Levert , Walter Williams , William Powell , Bobby Massey and Bill Isles. The O'Jays were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004, and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005...
Chart history
Album| Chart (1997) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
3 |
| U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums | 1 |
Singles
| Year | Song | Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks | Hot Rap Singles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | "Who You Wit Who You Wit "Who You Wit" is a 1997 single by rapper Jay-Z that is produced by Ski. It was released in promotion of the 1997 comedy film Sprung and appears on its soundtrack, Sprung . Its beat samples "Night Love" by the Jeff Lorber Fusion.A track named "Who You Wit II" appears on Jay-Z's second album In My... " |
#84 | #25 | #18 |
| "(Always Be My) Sunshine (Always Be My) Sunshine " Sunshine" is the second single from rapper Jay-Z's second album In My Lifetime, Vol. 1. It features vocals from Foxy Brown and Babyface as well as production from Daven "Prestige" Vanderpool. Vanderpool samples Alexander O'Neal's "Sunshine", Kraftwerk's "Man Machine" and the Fearless Four's... " |
#95 | #37 | #16 | |
| 1998 | "The City Is Mine The City Is Mine "The City Is Mine" is a the third single from rapper Jay-Z's second album In My Lifetime, Vol. 1. It features vocals from Blackstreet and production from Blackstreet member Teddy Riley... " |
#52 | #37 | #14 |
External links
- In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 at DiscogsDiscogsDiscogs, short for discographies, is a website and database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. The Discogs servers, currently hosted under the domain name discogs.com, are owned by Zink Media, Inc., and are...
- Album Review at RapReviews