In My Lifetime, Vol. 1

by

Jay-Z

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In My Lifetime Vol. 1 is Jay-Z's 3rd best album after Reasonable Doubt and Blueprint respectively. This album is very underrated for the simple fact that it came out after the classic RD and before Jay's "blow up" album Vol. 2 Hard Knock Life. A lot of the tracks here are pretty good and as always Jigga has his lyrics on point. Now for the track by track breakdown. The number after the description is based on a 1 to 5 scale with one being the worst.

1. A Million and One Questions - A very good track. Premo laced Jay with a sick beat for this track. This track had Jay-Z's best intro on any LP until the Dynasty album came out. (5)

2. The City is Mine - This track is hot. I love the mellow beat and it makes me feel calm everytime I hear it. I think on this one Jay was making a statement telling everyone how he was about to take over the rap game (which he has now accomplished). (4.5)

3. I Know What Girls Like - The worst track on the album in my opinion. Even Lil' Kim's appearance can't help this track's annoying beat and the weak topic. This is one of the tracks that prevent this album from being a classic. (2.5)

4. Imaginary Player - An excellent track. It has a real street feel to it. Jay raps about wearing white air force ones and platinum jewelry way back in 1997 when most of the nation was still wearing Reeboks and gold chains. Jay definitely proves himself to be a trendsetter in the rap game, not to mention that the flow is sick on this one. (5)

5. Streets is Watching - This track is one of Jay's more hardcore tracks. He talks about how the streets see and talk about whatever you do. So watch your actions. (5)

6. Friend or Foe '98 - A humorous track, it will make you laugh everytime you hear it. (3.5)

7. Lucky Me - A revealing track and actually the best on the album next to "You Must Love Me". Jay raps about the drawbacks to being a celebrity and how people try to bring you down when you're doing good. One of Jay-Z's all-time best tracks. (5)

8. Sunshine - Jay's first try at making a commercial track. He had Babyface on the hook but this formula for success didn't work. Jay's flow was good but the song was the other track that prevents this album from being classic. (3)

9. Who You Wit II - This track doesn't stand out. It's a good club joint though with a nice beat. (4)

10. Face Off - A pretty good track. This one is slightly above average. (3.5)

11. Real N***** - Jay-Z talks about what a real street n**** does on the streets. He also raps about a confrontation with a friend back in the day. This track is one of the better ones of this album. (4.5)

12. Rap Game/Crack Game - This track is another hot one. It has a street style beat and a pretty good hook. Jay raps about the similiarties between Rap music and selling crack. (4)

13. Where I'm From - One of the most hardcore tracks Jay-Z has ever made. The track will seem like it's coming from an underground mc but with Jay's sick flow. This one is hot from start to finish and it's the track where Jay says he, Biggie, and Nas are the best mcs in the rap game. (5)

14. You Must Love Me - The best is saved for last on this album. This is where Jay raps about how he regrets shooting his older brother in the shoulder. He also talks about how he regrets selling crack. This is one of, if not Jay's most revealing track ever. Definitely one of the best tracks of 1997. (5)

Over all this is a very hot LP and I would call it very near classic. Jay should have left off the worst 3 tracks on this LP and then he would have had 2 consecutive classics. If you are a fan of east coast rap or hip-hop in general then I definitely recommend that you buy this album.

Jay-Z second album "In My Lifetime, Vol 1" (1997) is a solid release. I liked the way Hov used Scarface samples in his intros, he started this joint off on a good note with "A Million and One Questions/Rhyme No More", which benefits from some deadly premo production. Jay-Z then delivers a standout cut with "The City Is Mine", the Blackstreet hook, and the track beat is ill. The next two tracks fall under skip material for me, and then Hov drops some on point rhymes on "Streets is Watching"- don't know why this was censored. Jay-Z shows some heart on the laidback "Lucky Me", rhyming well backed by a smooth female chorus. The album then hits a low point for me, not feeling the next three tracks at all, find them to be weak in lyrics and production. Jay-Z picks things up again for two more standouts: "Real N****z" feat. Too $hort and the albums closer "You Must Love Me". Its an artist gift and curse to deliver a classic, because later albums often get compared I won't lie though after "Reasonable Doubt" this was a disappointment for me, while there a number of standouts, there is also a lot of skip material. What I really missed was the consistency in production found on his first album, I wasn't interested in buying into Jay-Z claim of the throne being his, was bumping Big and Pac (and missing them big time) classics and wondering where Hip-Hop was going. 3.5.