Jay-Z "Volume 2: Hard Knock Life" 2026-05-08 Jimmy Van Heusen & Johnny

Jimmy Van Heusen & Johnny Burke and many others

Helmet and Big Black as influences for the album's sound

Featuring the hits “Womanizer” “Circus” and “Radar”

a composer

Michigan's the Machine Shop

Jay-Z "Volume 2: Hard Knock Life" 2026-05-08 Jimmy Van Heusen & JohnnyVol. 2 Hard Knock Life is the third studio album by American rapper Jay Z. It was released on September 29, 1998, by Roc A Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. It went on to become his most commercially successful album, selling over 6 million copies in the United States. In the liner notes of the album, Jay Z gives his thoughts on various tracks. The lyrics to the fast paced "Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator 99)" are also included.