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In My Lifetime, Vol. 1

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Untitled
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]
Chicago Tribune[2]
Robert Christgau(2-star Honorable Mention)(2-star Honorable Mention)[3]
Entertainment Weekly(B+)[4]
Rolling Stone[5]
The Source[6]
Spin(5/10)[7]
USA Today[8]
Vibe(mixed)[9]
Yahoo! Music(favorable)[10]

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,[9][11][12] 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.[13][14]

Music

The album features guest contributions by Foxy Brown, Babyface, Blackstreet, Teddy Riley, Too $hort, Lil' Kim, and Puff Daddy.[12][15] 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.

Reception

Steve Jones of USA Today gave the album three out of four stars and called it "a rock-solid set with both street and pop appeal".[8] 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".[2] In his consumer guide for The Village Voice, critic Robert Christgau gave the album an honorable mention ((2-star Honorable Mention)(2-star Honorable Mention)) rating,[3] indicating "[a] likable effort consumers attuned to its overriding aesthetic or individual vision may well enjoy".[16] Christgau noted "(Always Be My) Sunshine" and "Real Niggaz" as highlights and quipped "arrogant yet diffident, ruthless yet cute--a scary original".[3] 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".[7]

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".[1] 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.".[1]

Track listing

No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."A Million and One Questions/Rhyme No More" (Intro)DJ Premier3:21
2."The City Is Mine" (featuring Blackstreet)Teddy Riley, Chad Hugo4:02
3."I Know What Girls Like" (featuring Lil' Kim & Puff Daddy)Sean "Puffy" Combs, Ron "Amen-Ra" Lawrence for The Hitmen4:50
4."Imaginary Player"Daven "Prestige" Vanderpool for The Hitmen3:57
5."Streets Is Watching"Ski3:58
6."Friend or Foe '98"DJ Premier2:09
7."Lucky Me"Steven "Stevie J" Jordan for The Hitmen, Buckwild for D.I.T.C.4:59
8."(Always Be My) Sunshine" (featuring Foxy Brown & Babyface)Daven "Prestige" Vanderpool for The Hitmen4:43
9."Who You Wit II"Ski4:29
10."Face Off" (featuring Sauce Money)Poke and Tone for Trackmasters3:31
11."Real Niggaz" (featuring Too $hort)Anthony Dent5:07
12."Rap Game/Crack Game"Big Jaz2:40
13."Where I'm From"Deric "D-Dot" Angelettie, Ron "Amen-Ra" Lawrence for The Hitmen4:26
14."You Must Love Me" (featuring Kelly Price)Nashiem Myrick for The Hitmen5:47
UK/Europe bonus tracks
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
15."Wishing on a Star" (D'Influence Remix)  
16."Wishing on a Star" (Trackmasters Remix)Trackmasters 
  • The track "Streets Is Watching" is edited on both the explicit and edited versions of the album.

Sample credits

Chart history

Album
Chart (1997) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard 200 3
U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums 1
Singles
Year Song Billboard Hot 100 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks Hot Rap Singles
1997 "Who You Wit" #84 #25 #18
"(Always Be My) Sunshine" #95 #37 #16
1998 "The City Is Mine" #52 #37 #14

References

  1. ^ a b c Bush, John. Review: In My Lifetime, Vol. 1. Allmusic. Retrieved on 2010-02-05.
  2. ^ a b Baker, Soren. "Review: In My Lifetime, Vol. 1". Chicago Tribune: 29. December 26, 1997. (Transcription of original review at talk page)
  3. ^ a b c Christgau, Robert (February 1998). Robert Christgau: CG: Jay-Z. The Village Voice. Retrieved on 2011-06-20.
  4. ^ Ehrlich, Dimitri. Review: In My Lifetime, Vol. 1. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on 2010-02-05.
  5. ^ Hoard, Christian. "Review: In My Lifetime, Vol. 1". Rolling Stone: 424. November 2, 2004.
  6. ^ Columnist. "Review: In My Lifetime, Vol. 1". The Source: 180. December 1997.
  7. ^ a b Norris, Chris. "Review: In My Lifetime, Vol. 1". Spin: 105–106. February 1998.
  8. ^ a b Jones, Steve. "Review: In My Lifetime, Vol. 1". USA Today: 08.D. November 18, 1997. (Transcription of original review at talk page)
  9. ^ a b The Blackspot. "Review: In My Lifetime, Vol. 1". Vibe: 144. November 1997.
  10. ^ Linden, Amy. Review: In My Lifetime, Vol. 1. Yahoo! Music. Retrieved on 2010-02-05.
  11. ^ Spence D. Review: In My Lifetime, Vol. 1. IGN. Retrieved on 2010-02-05.
  12. ^ a b Shuster, Fred. "Review: In My Lifetime, Vol. 1". LA Daily News: November 21, 1997.
  13. ^ Columnist. Rappers Mase, Jay-Z, Rakim Lead Pack. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved on 2010-02-05.
  14. ^ Gold & Platinum: Searchable Database. Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved on 2010-02-05.
  15. ^ Harrington, Richard. "Review: In My Lifetime, Vol. 1". The Washington Post: B.07. November 26, 1997.
  16. ^ Christgau, Robert (October 15, 2000). Robert Christgau: CG 90s: Key to Icons. Robert Christgau. Retrieved on 2011-06-20.
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