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Even after hearing this album, my favorite Jay-Z song is still "Rhyme No More ... A Million and One Reasons." I think that's the one song where Jay-Z doesn't make a reference to his net worth. But materialism isn't his biggest weakness.

On Vol. 3, Jigga continues his streak of two poorly produced albums. Even Primo's "So Ghetto" fails to register on my Ritcher scale for head nodders. The beats of joints like "Do it Again" and "Things that U Do" are annoying at best.

What's even more mystifying is Jay-Z's tireless promotion of wack MCs like Amil, Beanie Sigel and Memphis Bleek. And his collaboration with artists like Juvenile can be interpreted as a greedy attempt to sell more albums in the South.

The only thing keeping Jay-Z afloat in the fickle hip hop industry is his undeniable lyrical talent, which he flexes with ease on Vol. 3. But what good is a profit-driven lyrical Picasso who only paints self-portraits?


Roca-Life   December 26, 1999
 31 out of 36 found this review helpful

Jay Z's new album has already been released like two weeks ago here in Europe and I bought it without even listening to it. When I first put it in my stereo I thought that it was horrible, but after all I was totally wrong. The songs get better the more you listen to them and after a while you just can't stop to sing along and bump your head to this cd. I think Jay Z did a good job on this one (as on all of his Cd's) and especially "Big Pimpin" and "Come and Get Me" are really cool songs. Once again Jay Z is reloaded.


Volume 3   June 17, 2000
 29 out of 40 found this review helpful

Jay Z-Volume 3,Life and Times of S. Carter,is an ok album with some pretty descent songs. 1.HOVA SONG:INTRO-*(NOTHING FANCY AT ALL,JAY Z THANKS YOU FOR BUYING THE ALBUM,ETC...)

2.SO GHETTO-***(A PRETTY GOOD SONG,WITH DESCENT BEATS,AND BACKGROUND MUSIC)

3.DO IT AGAIN-***(ONE OF THE FIRST SINGLES OF THE ALBUM,NOT ONE OF THE BETTER SONGS ON THE ALBUM)

4.DOPE MAN-***(A DESCENT SONG,ABOUT JAY-Z BEING IN COURT,AND BEING PROVED INNOCENT OF TRAFIKING DRUGS)

5.THINGS THAT U DO(MARIAH CAREY)-***(HAS MORE OF A POP SOUND,THAN A RAP SONG,AVERAGE SONG,PRETTY GOOD BACKGROUND MUSIC)

6.IT'S HOT-**(THIS IS ONE SONG,IM NOT A FAN OF,SEEMS TO SLOW,AND ANNOYING)

7.SNOOPY TRACK(JUVENILE)-****(JUVENILE ADDS A NICE TOUCH TO THIS FUNKY SONG,YOU COULD HEAR IT ON THE RADIO SOON)

8.S. CARTER-****(ONE OF MY FAVORITES,AND IN MY OPINION ONE OF THE BETTER SONGS ON THE ALBUM,EASY SONG TO DANCE TOO,MOST LIKELY WILL BE A HIT SINGLE)

9.POP 4 ROC-**(NOT ONE OF MY FAVORITES,ALMOST AN ANNOYING SONG)

10.WATCH ME(DR. DRE)-*****(PROBABLY IN MY OPINION THE BEST SONG ON THE ALBUM,HAS A NICE DRE TOUCH)

11.BIG PIMPIN-****(A GOOD SONG,ONE OF THE FIRST REAL HITS OF THE ALBUM)

12.THERES BEEN A MURDERER-***(AN AVERAGE SONG,NOT TO CATCHY,YOU PROBABLY WONT REMEMBER IT)

13.COME AND GET ME-***(AN OK SONG,WITH DESCENT LYRICS)

14.NYMP-***(AGAIN NOT TOO CATCHY,NOTHING SPECIAL)

15.HOVA SONG:OUTRO-*****(FEATURES 2 BOUNUS TRACKS,JIGGA MY N***A,AND GIRLS BEST FRIEND)


This one dosent dissapoint   March 2, 2000
 13 out of 16 found this review helpful

I am not that big of a rap fan but I decided to listen to one of my friends Cd of Jay Z.I would have to say that this man is one of the best rappers out there not only was his voice clear but the lyrics were very intelligent I also enjoyed the clever sample on the track Anything,although I dont quite remember where it was from


Not Bad, But Not Worthy of 5 Stars   January 5, 2000
 12 out of 16 found this review helpful

Well, the album itself isn't bad. If you don't like 'So Ghetto' then go check your pulse... Undoubtedly, Jay-Z still delivers, but like 90% of rap albums released he can't keep the mood up throughout the album. Still he deserves credit, considering he's been releasing the albums prolifically (his 2nd in two years).

Like most recent albums, Jay-Z may feel that he needs guest artists to support his songs, which, lyrically, he doesn't. The addition of Amil still seems like a weak replacement of Foxy Brown who is still one of his best complements.

The production is still not as good as it can be... Honestly tell me the beats and rhythm of 'Do It Again' took more than 30 minutes to develop. Or that the music (not lyrics) on 'Dope Man' doesn't seem to borrow its mood a bit too heavily from Eminem's 'Scary Movies' (the bells and strings don't work as well in this song, however). Some of the other songs near the end of the CD sound a bit too much like each other at first listen, but then again most CDs do that.

Be advised that of the two hidden tracks at the end of the album, one of the IS 'Girl's Best Friend' which displays Jay-Z and Swizz Beats in raucously energetic top form.

Looking back, Vol. 3 isn't a masterpiece, but it's still damn good, and that's something most other hip-hop artists can say.