Jay Z's Vol. 2...Hard Knock Life (sampling sources)

By Kenton Rambsy

This post is part of our "Sampling & Signifying: The Music of Jay Z" series.


Vol. 2 … Hard Knock Life
Release Date: September 29, 1998

1. "Intro - Hand It Down" (performed by Memphis Bleek) (Runtime: 2:56)
Producer: DJ Premier
Hook/Riff:
• “ Are You Man Enough?” by Four Tops (1973)
Vocals/Lyrics:
• “ Coming of Age” by Jay Z feat. Memphis Bleek (1996)
Movie/Television clips:
• “ I'm Reloaded” from Carlito's Way (1993)
• “ Paradise Lost” from Carlito's Way (1993)

2. "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)" (Runtime: 3:58)
Producer: The 45 King
Instrumentation and Composition:
• “ It's the Hard-Knock Life” by Andrea McArdle (1977)
Vocals/Lyrics:
• “ Big Poppa ” by The Notorious B.I.G. (1994)

3. "If I Should Die" (featuring Da Ranjahz) (Runtime: 4:55)
Producer: Swizz Beatz


4."Ride or Die" (Runtime: 4:48)
Producer: Steven "Stevie J" Jordan

5. "Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator 99)" (featuring Amil & Big Jaz) (Runtime: 3:53)
Producer: Timbaland
Bass:
• “ Sunshine” by Earth, Wind & Fire (1975)
Hook/Riff:
• “ Cheers 2 U ” by Playa (1998)

6. "Money, Cash, Hoes" (featuring DMX) (Runtime: 4:46)
Producer: Swizz Beatz
Sound Effect/Other:
“Theme of Thief” by Tohru Nakabayashi and Y. "Dolphin" Takada (1989)
Movie:
• “ Fuck You, Pay Me ” from Goodfellas (1990)

7. "A Week Ago" (featuring Too $hort) (Runtime: 5:00)
Producer: J-Runnah
Hook/Riff:
• “ Ballad for the Fall Soldier ” by The Isley Brothers (1983)
Vocals/Lyrics:
• “ Dead Presidents” by Jay Z (1996)

8. "Coming of Age (Da Sequel)" (featuring Memphis Bleek) (Runtime: 4:21)
Producer: Swizz Beatz

9. "Can I Get A..." (featuring Amil & Ja Rule) (Runtime: 5:09)
Producers: Irv Gotti, Lil Rob
Vocals/Lyrics:
• “ Git Up, Git Out” by OutKast feat. Goodie Mob (1994)

10. "Paper Chase" (featuring Foxy Brown) (Runtime: 4:34)
Producer: Timbaland
Hook/Riff:
• “ Help Me Put Out the Flame (In My Heart)” by Ernie Hines (1970)

11. "Reservoir Dogs" (featuring The LOX, Beanie Sigel & Sauce Money) (Runtime: 5:19)
Producer: Erick Sermon, Darold "POP" Trotter*; Rockwilder**
Instrumentation and Composition:
• “ Theme From Shaft” by Isaac Hayes (1971)

12. "It's Like That" (featuring Kid Capri & Liz Leite) (Runtime: 3:45)
Producer: Kid Capri
Hook/Riff:
• “ Beggar's Song” by Wet Willie (1971)

13. "It's Alright [Bonus Track]" (featuring Memphis Bleek) (Runtime: 4:01)
Producer: Damon Dash, Mahogany Music
Instrumentation and Composition:
• “ Once in a Lifetime” by Talking Heads (1980)
• “H The Hall of Mirrors” by Kraftwerk (1977)

14. "Money Ain't a Thang [Bonus Track]" (featuring Jermaine Dupri) (Runtime: 4:13)
Producer: Jermaine Dupri
Instrumentation and Composition:
• “ Weak at the Knees” by Steve Arrington (1983)

Related:
• The African American Literary Studies Lab