'Vol. 2 … Hard Knock Life,' which turns 20 today (Sept. 29), marked a point of inflection for Jay-Z’s career as he transformed from respected New York MC to axis of American pop.

But, saturation aside, Hard Knock Life is a worthwhile if uneven album that, like Jay-Z's In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, alternates between hedonistic celebrations of wealth and songs that analyze street ...

In September 1998 with a show-stopping sample from a Broadway show to lead the way, Jay-Z dropped Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life and nothing quite has ever been the same in American pop culture.

Despite the runaway success of the "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)" single, Vol. 2 has a strange reputation critically. While not as acclaimed as the more varied Vol. 3 or as beloved as the more ...

On Sept. 29, 1998, Jay-Z dropped the album that made him a mainstream star, Vol 2. Hard Knock Life. The track, produced by Mark 45 King, was incredibly catchy, anchored by a hook that sampled "It ...

On this date in 1998, Jay-Z and his Roc cohorts dropped his third album Vol.2…Hard Knock Life on their independent Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam imprint.

MistaJam has another album focus for Black History Month, this time for JAY-Z, celebrating 20 years since the release of Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life.

In September 1998, Jay-Z released his third studio album Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life. A sequel to his 1997 sophomore LP In My Lifetime, Vol. 1.

In the late 1990s, Jay-Z was still struggling to find mainstream success, and it wasn’t until he released the hit single, “Hard Knock Life,” that he broke through globally.

On this date in 1998, Jay-Z and his Roc cohorts dropped his third album Vol.2…Hard Knock Life on their independent Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam imprint.