Jay-Z - Vol. 3... Life And Times Of S. Carter

I'm aware that I haven't caught up on the Hova catalogue in a little while, so I figured I'd better get on with it: there's quite a lot to go through.

Since albums always either come in ones or threes, it was inevitable that Jay-Z would have to follow up his Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life album with a Vol. 3 of some sort, and he did just so, and predictably on time: the album dropped in December of 1999, just preceding the turn of the new millennium, thereby continuing Jay's streak of one album per year. By now, Jay was a star, as the incredibly high sales of his previous album, an album I didn't even like that much, proved, and there was a lot riding on this upcoming release, especially after the title of Life And Times Of S. Carter was revealed, therefore implying that this was going to be a reflective and poignant release. My English Student ass is quite adept at analysation, and so I'm half-convinced that this album title could have been another knock at Nas, who intended to release an album with a similarly autobiographical title and theme earlier in the year, only for it to be majorly bootlegged, meaning he had to re-record a new album, which wasn't that well received. I realise I'm reaching as far as the edge of the galaxy with that one, but you never know. Speaking of Nas, he was also embroiled in a beef with Jay's bum buddy Memphis Bleek at the time, dissing him on the first few lines of his single "Nastradamus" a few months before Vol. 3 came out, and so this album was released around the time tensions were continually rising between Shawn and Nasir. 

Anyway, back to the album. Vol. 3 was released about four days before the new year to very high sales, and yet critical dismissal as an album that followed a simple and dreary formula: drug-dealing/bitches related lyrics + fairly poppy beats + Roc-a-Fella crew = Jay-Z album. However, to me at least, this track listing appeared a lot more promising when I picked up the CD (not in '99, however: I wasn't even alive then). Not only were there far more solo tracks than on Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life, an album stuffed with more up-and-coming rappers than Puff Daddy's house parties, but the producers were also moved around a bit. Swizz Beatz (who provided some dismal work on Vol. 2) was relegated to one track (hidden tracks notwithstanding), and Hov welcomed Timbaland into his humble abode far more, a good decision, as their collaborations on the previous album were some of said album's best. This time round, there are five Timbo beats, which stood as the most on any Jay album, up until his newer effort Magna Carta... Holy Grail was released to the hip-hop universe, that is. Jay also bought in the newly popular (thanks to a certain Method Man & Redman track) Rockwilder, as well as some fairly unknown beatmakers, and also bloody DJ Premier! And not for a Memphis Bleek song, either: an actual Hov track. Now, that's what I call exciting. 

One interesting point: this album was fairly successful initially, but it really blew up when Shawn released the single for "Big Pimpin'" to the listening public, a song that was instrumental in the moving of hip-hop's main interest to the South for the best part of the 2000s, before people finally stopped caring about where the rappers came from, and started thinking about their ability behind the mic finally, not that most mainstream "rappers" have said "ability behind the mic" (not to be an oldhead - I still like a decent amount of modern hip-hop).

One other thing to note is that this album had two separate releases: one for the US, and one for the rest of the world, both of which had different tracks. I've got the "rest of the world" version, so that's what I'll review, but I'll probably cover the US-only tracks at the end. Just trying to remove any confusion. Anyway, a lot of people see this as one of the worst releases in Jay's catalogue, and if this does end up being worse than Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life, then we've got issues, Shawn. Big issues.

1. Hova Song (Intro) (prod. K Rob)

Jay begins things with a track that could be mistaken for a dreaded rap album intro judging by the title, but is instead just a nice verse over some very smooth and soulful production, which sounds absolutely nothing like anything he rhymed over on the previous album. If you have any recollection of the production on that album, then you'll know that this is a good thing. After some funny (and relatable) talking from Jay about how he likes to read the CD credits, Hov brings a predictably braggy and infinitely clever verse, that stands as one of the best on the entire album. Pain In Da Ass does his "OK, I'm reloaded!!" at the end, which would be for the last time until Hov's Kingdom Come album in 2006. Very pleasant opener.

2. So Ghetto (prod. DJ Premier)

The lone Preemo beat on the album also stands as the duo's best collaboration ever. Not only that, but this is arguably my favourite Jay-Z song of all time. The Premier beat is hardcore as hell, and as soon as Jay's ad-libs come in at the start, the track just exudes swagger. The verses are delivered in a tone that says "I'm so much better than you it's actually funny", and the lyrics are similarly careless, in a good way of course. Preemo also brings some signature scratching in the hook, taking parts from Jay songs "Who You Wit II", "Can I Get A..." and "Girl's Best Friend" (which appeared as a hidden track later on here, but was also on a soundtrack), as well as a Smif-n-Wessun vocal from a big posse cut entitled "Pass It", and an old Big L freestyle. These scratches sound good, but it's the Jay vocals and brilliant beat that make this easily one of his best songs ever. Absolute classic.

3. Do It Again (Put Ya Hands Up) (feat. Beanie Sigel & Amil) (prod. Rockwilder)

The lead single unless I'm very much mistaken, and yeah, it's nowhere near the previous track. Rockwilder's instrumental is so underwhelming, it might make you fall immediately asleep as soon as the beat drops, and Amil's vocals feel like little baby spiders slowly crawling out of your earholes. I liked the guitar sounds at the start, but the rest of the beat is the definition of "cheap and tacky". Beanie, someone I normally don't care for too much, sounds alright here, and the foreshadowing to Juvenile's appearance on the album was pretty cool (if probably unintentional), but it's really up to Jay to make something out of this song, and he does it fairly well, with one of his more overconfident verses, and who doesn't like the line "he's alright, but he's not real"? The most interesting element of this, however, is the "throw your hands up" sample, taken from the intro (said by Barron Ricks) to a Cypress Hill song "Throw Your Hands In the Air", which featured Redman, Erick Sermon and MC Eiht. Your probably better off seeking out that one than playing this drivel.

4. Dope Man (feat. Serena Altschul) (prod. Darrell "Digga" Branch, Clue & DURO)

I don't know why the news reporter on this song is credited for a feature, but Hov ain't the first to do that (for example, Rampage's debut did the same thing, on "Da Night B4 My Shit Drop"). Jay brings in a few different producers to give him a rather tragic-sounding instrumental for him to address the allegations that he had stabbed someone over leaking this very album early (allegations that turned out to be quite truthful, I believe). Describing the Vol. 2 album as a "lethal dosage" is a bit of a reach, wouldn't you say? More like a light anaesthetic. Anyway, this track is actually really interesting, with a great beat, and some powerful verses and clever bars. The idea that Jay is this big-time underground criminal isn't very believable though, and will become less so with the next song.

5. Things That U Do (feat. Mariah Carey) (prod. Swizz Beatz, add-prod. Chauncey Mahan)

Arguably the worst fucking song I have ever listened to. I don't think I need to elaborate more, but incase you want to know why, to spare yourself listening to this, then here we go. The beat from Swizz Beatz is miserably lacking in any replayability, Hov sounds annoying as is humanely possible, and also, Mariah Carey is on here. Fucking hell.

6. It's Hot (Some Like It Hot) (prod. Timbaland)

The Timbaland instrumentals begin here, for this song that is easily one of the biggest bangers here, despite some very questionable lyrics. The Timbo beat is forced to first make its way through the painfully bad astrology of ".38 revolve like the sun round the Earth", which... I mean, come on, Jay-Z. We are then subjected to the misery of "give my ladies dick, my young ho's pee-pee", shortly before a Michael Jackson reference joins the track. The fuck?? These two lines are absolutely terrible, but for the rest of the track, Jay does come across as a somewhat competent MC, and a very good hitmaker - that hook is very catchy. Timbo's beat is probably better than the bars here, but still, this is enjoyable enough, and the diss to 50 Cent was funny, if recycled from a previous live performance. Banger.

7. Snoopy Track (feat. Juvenile) (prod. Timbaland)

The first of two tracks to feature an at the time popular rapper from the South, here it being Juvenile of "Back That Azz Up" and "Ha!" fame. However, he only pops up for the hook on here, leaving Jay to drop some more braggish bars over the heavy synths that you can't help but bop your head to. Timbaland truly was on fire back then, wasn't he? This track is a banger, and the perfect one for Jay. Can you imagine Busta Rhymes or Nas on this beat? No. It's custom made for Jay, without doubt a good thing.

8. S. Carter (feat. Amil) (prod. Russ & SAF)

There are certainly more features on here than I remember there being. This track is a contender for the worst title track in bloody existence. "Competition is naaaa-daaaa! Competition is nope-nope-nope!" is a simply painful chorus, and the verses here are not particularly interesting either. And why does Jay keep relying on the painfully annoying Amil? And did I mention how unbelievably shitty this beat is? Let's keep moving.

9. Pop 4 Roc (feat. Beanie Sigel, Memphis Bleek & Amil) (prod. Clue & DURO)

The first track on a Jay album to feature every member of the so-called "Dynasty" (and the second overall, after "For My Thugs", released on Funkmaster Flex & Big Kap's The Tunnel album a few weeks before this), who would go on to make an album the next year (which was really a Jay-Z solo, but I digress). This song is not particularly enjoyable either, with an annoying electric guitar instrumental, and none of the MCs being particularly good on here, except Jay of course. The hook is annoying as the customers at the Chinese I work at too, and that's saying a LOT. TL:DR: this isn't very good.

10. Hova Interlude (prod. K Rob)

Those that own the US version of this album were probably expecting me to cover "Watch Me" featuring Dr. Dre here, but no - on the Europe release, we have this additional verse to the "Hova Song" series that appears as the intro and outro on both versions of the album. A lot of people haven't heard this, but it's worth it - this is a nice addition to the album.

11. Big Pimpin' (feat. UGK) (prod. Timbaland)

The infamous single that led to Jay becoming arguably the biggest rapper in the whole world, and also led to the South becoming a lot more prominent in the hip-hop world. I'll leave you to decided whether or not either of those are good things. This song is infamous for the almost Egyptian (I think??) sounding beat, and incredibly misogynistic opening lines from Jay-Z ("you know I thug 'em, fuck 'em, love 'em, leave 'em 'cause I don't fuckin' need 'em" - I know he's not being serious, but still, jeez!). Still, Jay sounds pretty good spitting at a slightly more rapid pace, and the addition of UGK on the end was nice as well (Rest In Peace Pimp C), as was the breakdown in production. There are other songs here that I prefer, but still, this is definitely a must-listen hit.

12. Is That Yo Bitch (feat. Twista & Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott) (prod. Timbaland)

Inevitably taken from the popular BBC Two programme of the same name. Again, US readers may be confused, as their CDs contain a song titled "There's Been A Murder", but in Europe, we get this Timbo track that stands as yet another fast paced joint to add to the Jay catalogue. Missy's hook is terribly vulgar, but Jay and guest star Twista both bring their speedy rhymes to the table with a venom. What's also funny is that this was originally a Memphis Bleek song, but for this version they just completely shove him out of the way, which is pretty hilarious if you ask me. Does anyone else find the echo of "it's over man!" to be terribly annoying, or is that just me?

13. Come And Get Me (prod. Timbaland)

So, remember when I mentioned in the introduction paragraphs that the title of this album could potentially be a subtle diss to Nas? Well, THIS song contains an eerily similar title to a song off Nasir's Nastradamus album, released a couple months before this project, I believe. Weird. Anyway, this stands now as the fifth Timbo beat on the album, and it's easily the most old-school, or at least the first half is - this track contains a beat switch, something that was far less common in '99 than it is today. I'm convinced the first section contains a sample from Wu-Tang Clan's "Tearz" beat, but I could be making a mistake. That's unlikely though. Anyway, after that first section, we get a weird echoey section of Jay shouting the title of the song, and various bells and jungle sounds, which is just weird. The second beat that finally comes in after that is unfortunately the worst Timbo contribution on here, but it's still not that bad. This track is very good, and I appreciate the experimentation too - one other thing is that the Europe version ends with an instrumental outro, whereas the US version ends on the echo of "motherfucker", I believe. Great stuff, and listening to the hook on here makes the idea of this being a Nas diss that much more plausible.

14. NYMP (prod. Rockwilder)

Stands for "New York Marcy Projects", although before I heard the song, I was convinced it would stand for "New York Military Police". Was that just me, or did anyone else get that? Anyway, this song contains a Rockwilder instrumental that's infinitely more enjoyable than whatever he was attempting on "Do It Again (Put Ya Hands Up)", although I did find the intro to sound very similar to that on "So Ghetto". This song is pretty chilled out, and probably the least serious Jay-Z album closer up to now (well, it's the closer on the US pressings, anyway), which is probably a good thing.

15. Hova Song (Outro) (prod. K Rob)

The final verse of the "Hova" trilogy seen throughout the album. This is actually nice, and kind of makes me want to go back through the album whenever I hear it. He also expresses great displeasure towards his father on here, which was sad to hear. The US version goes straight to the hidden tracks after this, but in Europe, there's one more song for our pleasure...

16. Anything (prod. Sam Sneed & P. Skam)

This track was intended for use as the final song on Beanie Sigel's The Truth album, where it did eventually end up, but it also appeared on here before that, albeit only on the pressings outside of the US. Jay attempts to recreate the magic of "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)" from the last album, by making yet another song with a hook sampled from a musical with children's vocals, and a family-friendly instrumental, and while this is sweet and all, I'd rather listen to "Hard Knock Life". This song is pretty heartwarming, though, and would have been a great way to finish the album off. However...

The following songs are the "hidden bonus tracks" listed on the back cover. If you're going to include hidden tracks, why advertise them? And why make them songs everyone has already heard??

- Jigga My Nigga (prod. Swizz Beatz)

Originally from the first edition in the Ruff Ryder's Ryde Or Die compilation album series, and you can tell. After quite a hefty bit of silence, this track starts, and ends up being one of the least pleasant songs on the whole album. The beat sounds like a cheap Swizz Beatz imitation - in other words, your average Swizz Beatz instrumental after "Ruff Ryder's Anthem" - and the hook is incredibly aggravating. Jay even swipes his first few bars from Snoop Dogg's "Who Am I? (What's My Name?)". This song was ultimately weak.

- Girl's Best Friend (prod. Swizz Beatz)

Originally from the Blue Streak soundtrack. The most interesting thing about this is that the line "lock the whole block down" was sampled intro the scratched hook of "So Ghetto" earlier in the album. This track isn't as terrible as the last one, and the concept is sweet, but it's still pretty damned boring, and the hook is positively horrific. Shit on it.

The US version of the album, as I mentioned during the review, replaces "Hova Interlude" with "Watch Me (feat. Dr. Dre)", and replaces "Is That Yo Bitch" with "There's Been A Murder", and it also completely removes the song "Anything". However, I don't have that version yet, so I'll come back and review those songs once I've bought that version of the album.

Vol. 3... Life And Times Of S. Carter is actually similarly inconsistent to Nas' first 1999 effort I Am..., an album I've mentioned before in this review (and have reviewed before as well). This track contains both arguably the best Jay song ("So Ghetto"), and the worst Jay song ("Things That U Do"), and if that ain't a representation for inconsistency, I don't know what is. It also contains a mixture of late '90s Jay at his best, making street bangers with undeniable swagger and charisma over nice beats, and terrible pop attempts that sound about as pleasant as someone releasing diarrhoea all over your brand new carpet. It's crazy how different the musical quality is between "Things That U Do" and "It's Hot (Some Like It Hot)", or "So Ghetto" and "Do It Again (Put Ya Hands Up)". The album has some big flaws, and it's too long, AND the hidden tracks are both worthless and should have been left off. However, I still much prefer this to Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life, even though I understand that I'm very much in the minority there. I just think that this album has a much nicer vibe than that one, and think of it this way: get rid of the song with Mariah Carey, every song with one of the Roc-a-Fella signees on, and also the hidden tracks, and then you would be left with easily one of the best albums in Jay's catalogue. Don't let the reception fool you: there's a lot of worth to be found here, you just have to wade through some shit to get to it: imagine this album as a bowl of salted peanuts, with a few sour almonds in there as well. Yes, there are bad moments, but not enough to ruin the whole thing. I would recommend you give this one a go, but get the tissues ready for "Things That U Do", as you may begin to cry uncontrollably at how terrible it is. Happy listening!

Best Tracks: So Ghetto, Dope Man, It's Hot (Some Like It Hot), Snoopy Track, Big Pimpin', Come And Get Me, NYMP, all the "Hova Song" tracks

Worst Tracks: Things That U Do, S. Carter, Pop 4 Roc, the hidden tracks

Catch up on other Hov reviews by clicking here.