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Jay-Z "In My Lifetime, Vol. 1" Explicit Lyrics
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Title: In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 Format: Explicit Lyrics Label: Roc-a-Fella Released: 1997-11-04 |
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Buy In My Lifetime, Vol. 1! |
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Tracklisting & Lyrics
1. Intro/A Million And One Questions/Rhyme No More lyrics »2. The City Is Mine lyrics »
3. I Know What Girls Like lyrics »
4. Imaginary Player lyrics »
5. Streets Is Watching lyrics »
6. Friend Or Foe 98 lyrics »
7. Lucky Me lyrics »
8. (Always Be My) Sunshine lyrics »
9. Who You Wit II lyrics »
10. Face Off lyrics »
11. Real Niggaz lyrics »
12. Rap Game/Crack Game lyrics »
13. Where I'm From lyrics »
14. You Must Love Me lyrics »
Reviews
In an earlier age, when the likes of Public Enemy and Gang Starr ruled the roost, Jay-Z would have garnered the same kind of serious attention and respect as, say, the Fresh Prince. But in the devalued hip-hop universe of the late 1990s--where political activism is irrelevant, and entrepreneurial mediocrities like Puff Daddy and Master P hold sway--it's tempting to hail him as a conquering hero. Tempting, but mistaken. For one thing, he lacks the pipes to be considered among the truly great MCs (Chuck D, Guru, Ice Cube, Method Man). For another, his rhymes--both structurally and in terms of subject-matter--are way too simplistic. Rather than draw any conclusions from his world, or postulate any form of action, Jay simply calls 'em like he sees 'em--a post-Biggie dialectic of thinly-veiled threats ("Friend or Foe '98", "Face Off") and dreary self-aggrandisment ("I Know What Girls Like", "City Is Mine"). Hang on, didn't this used to be known as whack? ~Andrew McGuire, Amazon.co.ukThe other day I was listening to Jay-Z's near classic album Reasonable Doubt, and it occurred to me that Jay-Z has fallen way off. Though I'm sure that this statement is shocking to every reviewer on this site. I also realized that I never checked out Jay's sophomore album Volume 1: In My Lifetime. I know I had listened to a couple of tracks, but I never checked out the album as a whole. And to be honest with you, I don't think it's as bad as a lot of people on the site claim it is.
The biggest problem with the album is the lack of consistent sound. The first half of the album is very upbeat while the last couple tracks are very dark and moody. Reasonable Doubt was able to weave the boundaries between these two styles by utilizing an impeccable track list that almost created a story. IML's track list seems rushed and boggled and does nothing but further prove how much of a hypocrite Mr. Sean Carter truly is. Another problem with the album are the terrible guest appearances. While Reasonable Doubt could boast artists such as Biggie Smalls, Foxy Brown, Mary J. Blige and two absolute fluke performances from Memphis Bleek and Big Jaz and Sauce Money, IML rounds together a group of pop artists such as Lil Kim, Blackstreet, and Puff Daddy just to name a few.
It seems like Jay's lyricism isn't quite up to par on this album either. While his rhyme scheme and flow are still off the charts, his subject matter takes a nosedive into the deep, dark pit of commercialism. Seldom do you hear about Jay's ghetto tales or his strive for riches. Instead Jay just talks about his status in the rap game and now he seems to think that he is God's gift to woman. Yeah…. I'm not sure about that one either.
The album starts off promising enough with Intro/A Million and One Questions/ Rhyme No More which is as you might have guessed, three tracks rolled into one. The introduction is basic Jay-Z with Pain In Da Azz doing his best Carlito's Way impression, and then we kick into Questions. Produced by living legend DJ Premier, Jay gives us a very enjoyable listen. Primo's production is very laid back featuring light piano beat and modest samples. Jay speaks about how his fan base, and the media flock him with questions constantly. Rhyme No More isn't too bad either, but it is a step back from Questions. Primo's production is slowed up and Jay basically kicks freestyle lyrics. Overall it is a solid opening to the album. ~snoogans86, epinions.com