Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life

Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life
Studio album by Jay-Z
Released	September 29, 1998
Recorded	October 1997 - July 1998
Studio	D&D Studios (New York City, New York) Sony Music Studios (New York City, New York) Manhattan Center Studios (New York City, New York) Quad Studios (New York City, New York)
Genre(s)	East Coast hip hop, Hardcore hip hop, Mafioso rap, Conscious hip hop
Length	61:43
Label	Roc-A-Fella Records / Def Jam Recordings
Producer(s)	Kareem "Biggs" Burke (exec.), Jay-Z (exec.), Damon Dash (also exec.), DJ Premier, Jermaine Dupri, Irv Gotti, J-Runnah, Kid Capri, Lil' Rob, Mahogany, DJ Mark the 45 King, Erick Sermon, Stevie J., Swizz Beatz, Timbaland, Darold "POP" Trotter, Rockwilder

Jay-Z chronology
Previous	In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 (1997)
Next	Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter (1999)

Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life is the third studio album by American rapper Jay-Z. It was released on September 29, 1998 through Roc-A-Fella Records. Recording sessions took place at Sony Music Studios, D&D Studios, Quad Studios and Manhattan Center Studios in New York City from October 1997 to July 1998. It is the follow up from In My Lifetime, Vol. 1. Production was handled by Swizz Beatz, Timbaland, Jermaine Dupri, Rockwilder, J-Runnah, DJ Premier, Lil' Rob, Kid Capri, The 45 King, Mohagany, Irv Gotti, Darold "Pop" Trotter, Erick Sermon and Stevie J., with Damon Dash, Kareem "Biggs" Burke and Jay-Z himself serving as executive producers. It includes guest appearances by Memphis Bleek, Da Ranjahz, Jaz-O, DMX, Too $hort, Ja Rule, Amil, Foxy Brown, Kid Capri, The LOX, Beanie Sigel, Sauce Money and Jermaine Dupri himself.

The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life released the singles: "Can I Get A...", "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)", Money, Cash, Hoes" and "N*!^a What, N*!^a Who (Originator '99)". The album was a commercial success, with selling over 350,000 copies in its first week.

Track listing

No.	Title	Performer(s)	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Time
1.	"Intro - Hand It Down"	Memphis Bleek	Carter, Cox, Martin	DJ Premier	2:56
2.	"Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)"	Jay-Z	Carter, Charmin, James, Strouse	Mark 45 King	3:58
3.	"If I Should Die"	Jay-Z, Da Ranjahz	Byer, Carter, Dean, Leguerre	Swizz Beatz	4:55
4.	"Ride or Die"	Jay-Z	Carter, Jordan	Stevie J.	4:48
5.	"N*!^a What, N*!^a Who (Originator '99)"	Jay-Z, Big Jaz	Burks, Carter, Mosley	Timbaland	3:53
6.	"Money, Cash, Hoes"	Jay-Z, DMX	Carter, Dean, Simmons	Swizz Beatz	4:46
7.	"A Week Ago"	Jay-Z, Too $hort	Carter, Isley, Isley, Isley, Isley, Isley, Jasper, Shaw, Stoute	J-Runnah	5:00
8.	"Coming of Age (Da Sequel)"	Jay-Z, Memphis Bleek	Carter, Dean	Swizz Beatz	4:21
9.	"Can I Get A..."	Jay-Z, Amil, Ja Rule	Atkins, Carter, Lorenzo, Mays	Irv Gotti, Lil' Rob	5:09
10.	"Paper Chase"	Jay-Z, Foxy Brown	Carter, Mosley	Timbaland	4:34
11.	"Reservoir Dogs"	Jay-Z, The Lox, Beanie Sigel, Sauce Money	Carter, Gaither, Grant, Hayes, Jacob, Phillips, Sermon, Styles	Erick Sermon, Darold "POP" Trotter (co.)	5:19
12.	"It's Like That"	Jay-Z, Kid Capri	Carter, Freidman, Love	Kid Capri	3:45
Bonus tracks
13.	"It's Alright"	Jay-Z, Memphis Bleek	Byrne, Carter, Dash, Eno, Franz, Harrison, Leeper, Weymouth	Damon Dash, Mahogany	4:02
14.	"Money Ain't a Thang"	Jay-Z, Jermaine Dupri	Arrington, Carter, Carter, Dupri, Hank, Parker	Jermaine Dupri	4:13