Studio Album · No. 2
In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 Songwriting Credits by Jay-Z
Produced by DJ Premier, Teddy Riley, Puff Daddy, Amen-Ra, Prestige, Ski, Stevie J, Buckwild, Trackmasters, Anthony Dent, Big Jaz, D-Dot, Nashiem Myrick
Holds writing credit on 14 of 14 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 14 / 14 documented
Scored across the 14 tracks with documented writers, by whether Jay-Z carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 14 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 keeps Jay-Z's authorship split intact while widening the producer roster toward pop. He wrote every verse, but the composer column now fills with crossover hitmakers like Puff Daddy and Teddy Riley and the many sample sources behind tracks such as 'The City Is Mine,' which interpolates Glenn Frey. His lyricist credit stays near total; the music remains entirely outsourced.
In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 is the second studio album by Jay-Z, released in November 1997 on Roc-A-Fella and Def Jam, less than a year after the death of his friend the Notorious B.I.G. It pushes toward a glossier, more commercial sound than Reasonable Doubt, bringing in Puff Daddy, Teddy Riley, and the Trackmasters to chase radio while keeping DJ Premier and Ski for the harder material. Jay-Z wrote all of his own verses, and as ever the music credits belong to his producers and the records they sampled. Guests range from Lil' Kim and Foxy Brown to Babyface and Too $hort, reflecting the album's split between street rap and crossover ambition. It was certified platinum and marked the start of Jay-Z's run as a consistent commercial force.
Track Listing & Credits 14 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Intro / A Million and One Questions / Rhyme No More
|
Jay-Z | Christopher Martin | DJ Premier | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 2 |
The City Is Mine
#52
|
Jay-Z | Teddy RileyKenneth GambleLeon A. HuffGlenn FreyJack Tempchin | Teddy Riley | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)Blackstreet (Featured Vocals) |
| 3 |
I Know What Girls Like
|
Jay-ZPuff DaddyLil' Kim | Ron LawrenceTimothy MooreGary CooperJoseph MalloyWilliam StronmanRudy ShereffDavid SpradleyChris Butler | Puff DaddyAmen-Ra | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)Puff Daddy (Featured Vocals)Lil' Kim (Featured Vocals) |
| 4 |
Imaginary Players
|
Jay-Z | Daven VanderpoolRené MooreAngela WinbushHerman Chainey | Prestige | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 5 |
Streets Is Watching
|
Jay-Z | David WillisLabi Siffre | Ski | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 6 |
Friend or Foe '98
|
Jay-Z | Christopher Martin | DJ Premier | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 7 |
Lucky Me
|
Jay-Z | Anthony BestSteven JordanKaren Anderson | Stevie JBuckwild | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 8 |
(Always Be My) Sunshine
#95
|
Jay-ZFoxy Brown | Daven VanderpoolDarryll BarksdaleBobby RobinsonJames Harris IIITerry Lewis | Prestige | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)Babyface (Featured Vocals)Foxy Brown (Featured Vocals) |
| 9 |
Who You Wit II
|
Jay-Z | David WillisJeff Lorber | Ski | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 10 |
Face Off
|
Jay-ZSauce Money | Jean-Claude OlivierSamuel BarnesManu Dibango | Trackmasters | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)Sauce Money (Featured Vocals) |
| 11 |
Real Niggaz
|
Jay-ZToo $hort | Anthony Dent | Anthony Dent | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)Too $hort (Featured Vocals) |
| 12 |
Rap Game / Crack Game
|
Jay-Z | Jonathan BurksMarvin PierceMarshall JonesRalph MiddlebrooksLeroy BonnerJames WilliamsClarence SatchellBilly BeckChristopher MartinNasir JonesAntwan PattonAndré BenjaminOrganized Noize | Big Jaz | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 13 |
Where I'm From
|
Jay-Z | Deric AngelettieRon LawrenceNorman Whitfield | Amen-RaD-Dot | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 14 |
You Must Love Me
|
Jay-Z | Nashiem MyrickWalter SiglerRon Tyson | Nashiem Myrick | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |