Disco de Jay-Z: “In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 (Explicit)”

A lot of the kids rating this album were in diapers when it first came out. Don't get it twisted, the album is hot! And that's coming from someone who was there...right there, listening to it, as soon as it came out! This is the last album that Jay put out that was truly Hip-Hop. And it came out during a time when true Hip-Hop music was on the decline. It got horrible air play. The only time I'd hear it on the radio was late Saturday nights when WHPK played "Streets is Watchin'" during their Hip-Hop show. Otherwise, the mainstream radio stations, at least in Chicago, didn't give it a second thought. I bumped the sh%$ out of this album. Many good tracks. The production tight, but not commercial. But Jay-Z's words are what captured me. His lyrics are deep...creative...unbelievable! Check out "Imaginary Players". But this time, try to follow what he's saying (if you can). That's probably the song that gets the least respect on the album.

I love Jay-Z. His first two albums solidified that for me many, many years ago. I've bought all of his albums since. But this really is his last real Hip-Hop album...before going commercial. I'm not mad at him. He manages to sneak in some Hip-Hop in all of his work, but this is different. Really speaks to the period...and the fans that were close to Hip-Hop and understood what it was all about. Lately, he's speaking to a broader audience. That's how he makes money- appealing to the masses- and that's fine. It's just a shame that the earlier works (those that I believe are better works) don't get the same attention, record sales, and air play.

I was there.

Keith

I actually like this album better than Reasonable Doubt. I know, most of you out there like it the least. Before everybody attempts to lynch me, check out why I dig it so much:

In My Lifetime came out at a very confusing time for Jay. He had just lost his rhyme partner Biggie. He was catching a lot of flack from the legion of 2pac fans he had alienated by allowing Big to use his "get it, two pacs" line on the song "Brooklyn's Finest". Jay would later admit in interviews that this time was one of the worst in his life and he was in a depressive state.

Emotions, both high and low, are the breeding grounds for great music, (hip-hop or otherwise). "In My Lifetime" is no exception to this rule. While Jay had been able to convey quite a range of emotions on Reasonable Doubt, (which I neglected to notice), here his delivery has taken on a decidedly more superior tone. In short, Jay began to develop that arrogance we have come to know and love. At first put off by it, I began to develop a newly found love for his "I'm not impressed" routine during forced repeated listenings, (while working at a record store). Just who did this guy think he was? He was smug, bitter, and sounded almost bored with competition.

And lyrically, his imagery and content were also improving. "Where I'm From" and "You Must Love Me", in my opinion, surpass almost all of his other works in terms of subject matter and emotion. How many emcees ever would share the extremely personal history of asking your lover to be your courier, shooting your brother, and selling dope to your moms over the course of an entire album, much less in one song. Jay gave of himself for this album. He wouldn't do it again on this level until his classic "Blueprint" was released.

His wit shines brighter than before as well. When he shoots down a rival dope dealer in "Friend or Foe II", tosses him two ice cubes and tells him to "take that ice up for the nicest emcee" and to "tell BIG he's unbelievable" you gotta smile. Or when he tells the radio host that he'll tell them all they want to know on "A Million and One ?'s" and then asks "first, how bad they wanna know?" you get to fill in the punchline yourself.

Admittedly, there are missteps. "I Know What Girls Like" and "Sunshine" falls into the Puffy school of song writting. Honestly, the subsequent video for "Sunshine" may have been what truly derailed the overall public opinion of this album. Jay appeared in this strangely colorful video full of special effects that immediately brought comparisons of his physical appearance to "Joe Camel", the camel mascott of Camel cigarette ads. Overall, however, the production was not that dissimilar from Reasonable Doubt with the exception of these two songs.

Maybe I haven't convinced you. If not, do like I did with Reasonable Doubt 4 years after its release - give In My Lifetime a chance. Listen to it again with a clear mind. It may just surprise you.

Jay Z's Volume 2 was good, but this is better. "The City is Mine" is the joint on this album. Jay Z is the man.

This is Jay-z's must underreated album! Everyone was not feeling this album, but the were just not understanding the content! Besides two dumb tracks (One featuring Puff Daddy, the artist killer), the rest of the songs are pretty solid when it comes to lyrics. You have to remeber that at the time he recording, Biggie just died and that took a toll. Also, He was preparing to retire after this album and have Memphis Bleek become the star of Rocafella. Basically, this album is one of his best!!!!

This CD is ver good people just hate it because of the pop like songs for instance "I Know What Girls Want", "Sunshine", and "City Is Mine" but they forget some of Jay's best songs here ill rate the tracks for you

1.Intro/A million and one questions/rhyme no more - great beats and very good lyrics 10/10

2.City Is Mine - Hate The Chorus and the song just doesnt do it for me 7/10

3.I Know What Girls Like - Bad Puffy Should Leave Rap Alone 4/10

4.Imaginary Players - Talking about no one else is a smooth as himself pretty good 9/10

5.Streetz Is Watching - probably one of the best songs,Talking bout what happens in the street and how fame effects how he has to take situatiuons in the street 10/10

6.Friend Or For '98 - Great Song sequel to his classic on reasonable dount 10/10

7.Lucky Me - personal track about life pretty lyrical 10/10

8.sunshine - i give it a 5/10

9. who you witt II - kind od commercial but very lyrical and smooth 9/10

10.Face Off - Bad Beat and not on par with lyrics 6/10

11.Real N*gg*z - beat isnt great but good lyrics 8.5/10

12.Rap Game/Crack Game - odder beat but pretty good about comparing selling cd to selling drugs

13.Where Im From - About His Home Marcy Projects 9/10

14.You Must Love Me - Best Song On The Album Very personal 12/10