In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 is the second studio album from Jay-Z, released on November 4, 1997. The album received positive reviews from critics but fans were not embracing Jay-Z’s commercialized new image. The album features a much more pop oriented sound than his debut release Reasonable Doubt and went on to receive a Platinum certification from the RIAA, selling more than 1.2 million copies in the U.S.
Producers for Reasonable Doubt such as DJ Premier and Ski contribute to a limited number of beats on this album, though the majority of the production is handled by beatmakers from Puff Daddy’s Bad Boy label, giving the album a generally glossier sound than its predecessor. It displayed a shift from the mafioso rap themes of his first effort to the so called “jiggy” era of late 90’s hip-hop, often credited to videos and albums from Puff Daddy and his Bad Boy record label’s roster of artists.
Singles
- “Who You Wit”
- Released: May 20, 1997
- “(Always Be My) Sunshine”
- Released: September 16, 1997
- “The City Is Mine”
- Released: February 3, 1998
U.S. Billboard Charts
#3 on Billboard 200
#2 on Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums
- The above information was taken from Wikipedia
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I still think this is Jay’s second best album — third best, at worst.
Charity you and I think alike.
I thought that it was a pretty dope album when it came out but once Vol. 2 came out this joint completely disappeared from my rotation for a LONG time. I would rank it 4th or so.
1-Reasonable Doubt
2- The Blueprint
3- Vol. 2 Hard Knock Life
4- a tie between The Black Album and In My Lifetime
da problem with this album is songs like i know what girls like and the city is mine. That killed it. Cuz if u listen to it carefully, u’ll notice dat it contains one of hov’s best songs (beats and lyrics)
where i’m from
a million and one questions
streets is watching
u must love me
Replace those songs with a few from Streets Is Watching and Vol 1 is almost as good as Reasonable Doubt… I promise you.
“City is Mine” is not the problem. “I know what….” and probably “Face Off.”