A Lifetime Ago: A Look Back At The Significance Of Jay-Z’s Sophomore Album
by Steve Howze
Disclaimer: I wrote this article before Jay-Z released his 13th album ‘4:44’. Though an amazing project, and his most personal release, I didn’t feel enough time had passed to contextualize its significance in Jay’s career.
20 years later, In My Lifetime: Vol. 1 is the most important album in Jay-Z’s career. Not the best of course, that honor goes to [REDACTED]. But situated between the “underground” classic Reasonable Doubt and mainstream success of Hard Knock Life Vol. 2, Vol. 1 is a snapshot of an artist at a crossroads in their career. Coming off the underwhelming commercial performance of RD, Jay made some clear attempts to cross over into pop success much as his Brooklyn brother, Notorious B.I.G., had done masterfully. For what it’s worth, Jay ranks this in the bottom half of his discography, but the lessons learned here gave him a clearer perspective on what kind of artist he wanted to be. And much like Lebron’s frustratingly and mysteriously ineffective 2011 Finals performance, growth and clarity often follows a painful experience where your regrettable decisions fuel your climb to the next level.
On November 4th, 1997, In My Lifetime: Vol. 1 was released into a tense and fractured hip hop landscape. It was almost 8 months to the day from the death of Biggie and barely a year after Tupac’s fatal September night in Las Vegas. Having lost two icons, there was a void. Though Puff Daddy had released a inarguable mega hit album with No Way Out that summer, it was understood that Puff was more global entertainer than hip hop champion. With the kings of each coast taken, who would emerge as rightful successor? Enter Jay-Z.
Motherfuckers, can’t rhyme no more
Bout crime, no more
Til I’m, no more
’Cause I’m, so raw… -“Rhyme No More”- Jay-Z
On Reasonable Doubt, Jay-Z had introduced himself as a mafioso don type. He’d shoot if forced, but was too slick and smart to get put in a situation like that. From the outset of Vol. 1, it was apparent that he was elevating his own mythology and clearing out whoever was in the way. The first half of “Intro/A Million and One Questions/Rhyme No More”, Jay raps about the rumors swirling about himself, making the listener already believe his larger than life status. Midway the beat switches to a more rugged bounce, the lyrics turn aggressive and confrontational, letting the audience know he is also coming to seize the rap game from the trenches. This sets the tone for the entire album, Jay is above you and somehow, at the same time, hungrier.
Another departure from RD is the production. While the previous album was rooted in a post-Illmatic melodic boom bap, Puff executive produced Vol. 1, bringing his bag of jiggy with him. Aiming to attain crossover success, tracks like “The City Is Mine,” “I Know What Girls Like,” and “(Always Be My) Sunshine,” are built on the skeletons of popular 80’s records. The results are mixed. While Jay never falters lyrically, sonically you can hear the light bulb turn on in Diddy’s head. “…What Girls Like” in particular sounding like a glitzy dead eyed version of RD’s “Ain’t No Nigga”. But even these missteps, show Jay’s willingness to experiment and desire for a greater fanbase.
On songs like “Imaginary Players,” “Friend Or Foe ‘98,” and “Rap Game/Crack Game,” Jay-Z displays a surgeon’s precision in dismantling competitors, his flow and confidence having taken a step forward. A Brooklyn street anthem was born in “Where I’m From,” in which Hov speaks himself into the top tier NY caliber and provides the spark of one of the biggest rap feuds:
I’m from where niggas pull your card, And argue all day about
Who’s the best MCs, Biggie, Jay-Z, or Nas?
Vol. 1 is also home to some of the most introspective bars Jay-Z has ever laid to tape. On “You Must Love Me,” he details the pain of selling crack, shooting his drug addicted brother, and having to use his girlfriend to transport cocaine. This track closes the album and is a window into the tragic situations that steeled Jay’s nerve, giving him the almost-chilly calm demeanor and letting the audience know the life, to which, he was determined to never return.
From a raw numbers perspective, you can see the growth and broadening of Jay-Z’s fanbase. While Reasonable Doubt debuted at 23 on Billboard 200, Vol. 1 came in at number 3, proving Jay’s viability as burgeoning rap star. The follow up album Hard Knock Life: Vol. 2 with its Annie sampling title track gave Hov the #1 that debut that he clearly started shooting for with this album.
When looking at an artist’s catalogue as a whole, you can spot how their best projects function as statements to the game. Blueprint said “I’m the King,” The Black Album said “Farewell,” and American Gangster calmly stated “I still does this.” Those messages were sure handed, regal, and received with the respect due, like a decree being issued to one’s subjects. But if Reasonable Doubt was Jay saying “I’m here,” with In My Lifetime: Vol. 1, Shawn Corey Carter, announced to the court “I’m next.”
