Personnel includes: Jay-Z (rap vocals); Wais, Half Dead, Big Jaz, Amil, Liz (vocals); Steven Jordan, Lil' Rob (various instruments); Jake Carter, Mike (guitar); Kid Capri (programming); Memphis Bleek, Da Ranjahz, DMX, Too Short, Ja Rule, Amil, Foxy Brown, Jermaine Dupri, The Lox, Beenie Siegel, Sauce Money.

Producers include: Premier, Mark 45, Swizz Beats, Steven Jordan, Timbaland.

Engineers include: Eddie Sancho, Paul Falcon, Joe Quinde.

VOL. 2 HARD KNOCK LIFE won the 1999 Grammy Award for Best Rap Album.

"Hard Knock Life" was nominated for a 1999 Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance. "Money Ain't A Thang" was nominated for a 1999 Grammy for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group.

Jay-Z is a rapper's rapper. He is the lyricist all other MCs want to be, and he has the beats over which every other MC wants to rhyme. His third album, VOL. 2 HARD KNOCK LIFE, further verifies Jay-Z's #1 status. Throughout his musical career, Jay-Z has shown that he has the skills to pay more than just the bills. Experimenting like few other rap artists have, Jay-Z uses the Broadway musical Annie's "Hard Knock Life" for his title track and first single. With its hardcore production, "Money, Cash, Hoes" allows Jay-Z to demonstrate his lyrical skill alongside DMX. "Paper Chase" features Foxy Brown and diversifies VOL. 2 with its Southern Timbaland-produced feel.

What the critics say...

Rolling Stone (5/13/99, p.77) - Included in Rolling Stone's "Essential Recordings of the 90's."
Q (12/00, p.144) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Boasts Timbaland, DMX, Jermaine Dupri, Foxy Brown and an infectious title track sampling the musical Annie. It couldn't fail: the epitome of mainstream hip hop, and intentionally so."
The Source (11/98, p.190) - 4.5 Mics (out of 5) - "...On his third try for the trophy, the mayor of Marcy Projects took time during the offseason to perfect his method..."