Today In Hip Hop History: Jay-Z Dropped His Third LP ‘Vol.2…Hard Knock Life’ 24 Years Ago

On this date in 1998, Jay-Z and his Roc accomplices dropped his 3rd album Vol.2…Hard Knock Life on their independent Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam imprint.

Recorded in a few of New York City’s most sought after studio areas, Vol. 2…Hard Knock Life included a few of the video games finest manufacturers, consisting of Jermaine Dupri, Swizz Beatz, and Timbaland, Hov’s 3rd album was the evidence that Jigga had actually discovered the formula to produce the most effective full-length job of his profession at that time.

Debuting at number 1 on the Billboard 200 and offering 350K in its very first week, Vol.2 …Hard Knock Life was accredited 5x platinum within 2 years of its release, setting Hov’s album bar so hight that it won a Golden Phonograph for Best Rap Album at the 41st Grammy Awards. Some of the leading songs from the 14 track gem consist of “Nigga What, Nigga Who(Originator 99)”, “Hard Knock Life,” “Can I Get A…” and “Money Ain’t A Thang” including Jermaine Dupri.

Salute to Jigga, Dame, Biggs, Memphis Bleek, Sauce Money, and the rest of the Roc for putting out such a classic piece of Hip Hop history!