Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter cover art

  Studio Album · No. 4

Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter Songwriting Credits by Jay-Z

1999 Roc-A-Fella / Def Jam 15 tracks 71 min

Produced by K Rob, DJ Premier, Rockwilder, DJ Clue?, DURO, Digga, Swizz Beatz, Timbaland, Russ, SAF, Irv Gotti, Lil Rob, Chauncey Mahan  ·  Engineered by Tatsuya Sato

Roc-A-Fella / Def Jam Hip-HopEast Coast Hip-Hop
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 15 of 15 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 15 / 15 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 15 tracks with documented writers, by whether Jay-Z carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
15 trackswritten by Jay-Z 0 tracksoutside writers
Jay-Z's roles on this album

Share of the 15 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer0%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

15
Tracks
9
Lyricists
14
Producers
3 million
US Copies Sold
1999
Released
Data Insight

Vol. 3 continues Jay-Z's pattern of total lyric ownership over outsourced music. He wrote every verse, and the composer column lists the producers driving his pop-rap turn, Timbaland and Swizz Beatz chief among them, plus the sample sources behind tracks like 'Big Pimpin'.' Even his most radio-friendly hits keep the same split: his words, someone else's beat.

Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter is the fourth studio album by Jay-Z, released in December 1999 as the close of his Vol. trilogy. It leans further into glossy, radio-ready production from Timbaland, Swizz Beatz, DJ Premier, and DJ Clue, and produced the enduring smash 'Big Pimpin'' with UGK over a Timbaland beat. Jay-Z wrote all of his verses, while the music credits again belong to his producers and a wide set of samples. The guests range from Dr. Dre and Juvenile to Mariah Carey on 'Things That U Do,' showing the album's reach across rap and pop. It was certified three-times platinum and kept Jay-Z at the commercial summit of hip-hop heading into a new decade.

Track Listing & Credits 15 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Hova Song (Intro)
Jay-Z K RobJimi Hendrix K Rob Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)
2
So Ghetto
Jay-Z Christopher MartinSteve CropperBuddy Miles DJ Premier Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)
3
Do It Again (Put Ya Hands Up)
Jay-ZAmilBeanie Sigel Dana StinsonKyambo Joshua Rockwilder Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)Amil (Featured Vocals)Beanie Sigel (Featured Vocals)
4
Dope Man
Jay-Z Ernesto ShawKen IfillDarrell Branch DJ Clue?DURODiggaLance RiveraChauncey Mahan Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)
5
Things That U Do
Jay-ZMariah Carey Kasseem DeanKyambo Joshua Swizz Beatz Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)Mariah Carey (Featured Vocals)
6
It's Hot (Some Like It Hot)
Jay-Z Timothy Mosley Timbaland Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)
7
Snoopy Track
Jay-ZJuvenile Timothy Mosley Timbaland Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)Juvenile (Featured Vocals)
8
S. Carter
Jay-ZAmil Russell HowardSean Francis RussSAFChauncey Mahan Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)Amil (Featured Vocals)
9
Pop 4 Roc
Jay-ZBeanie SigelMemphis BleekAmil Ernesto ShawKen Ifill DJ Clue?DURO Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)Beanie Sigel (Featured Vocals)Memphis Bleek (Featured Vocals)Amil (Featured Vocals)
10
Watch Me
Jay-ZDr. Dre Irving LorenzoRobert Mays Irv GottiLil Rob Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)Dr. Dre (Featured Vocals)
11
Big Pimpin'
Jay-ZPimp CBun B Timothy Mosley Timbaland Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)Pimp C (Featured Vocals)Bun B (Featured Vocals)
12
There's Been a Murder
Jay-Z Russell HowardSean FrancisAlana Davis RussSAFChauncey Mahan Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)
13
Come and Get Me
Jay-Z Timothy Mosley Timbaland Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)
14
NYMP
Jay-Z Dana StinsonBrian RussellBrenda Russell Rockwilder Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)
15
Hova Song (Outro) / Jigga My Nigga / Girl's Best Friend
Jay-Z K RobJimi HendrixKasseem Dean K RobSwizz Beatz Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 41 contributors

More from Jay-Z

Frequently Asked Questions Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter

Did Jay-Z write Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter?
Yes. Jay-Z wrote all of his own verses. Production came from Timbaland, Swizz Beatz, DJ Premier, DJ Clue, and others.
Who produced Big Pimpin'?
Timbaland produced 'Big Pimpin'' featuring UGK, building the beat around a sample of the Egyptian song 'Khosara Khosara' while Jay-Z and UGK wrote the verses.
Who is featured on Things That U Do?
Mariah Carey is featured on 'Things That U Do,' which was produced by Swizz Beatz.
Is Dr. Dre on Vol. 3?
Yes. Dr. Dre appears on 'Watch Me,' which was produced by Irv Gotti and Lil Rob.
How well did Vol. 3 sell?
It was certified three-times platinum by the RIAA in the United States.
What is the Vol. trilogy?
Vol. 3 closes the trilogy that began with In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life, Jay-Z's run of commercial late-90s albums.

Sources