Jay-Z - Vol. 3: Life and Times of S. Carter

On The Life and Times of S. Carter, Jay-Z's century-closing guaranteed-platinum album, he compares his hit-making prowess to that of Michael Jackson--the unspoken difference being that Jigga appears to be far from wearing out his commercial welcome. For good reason, too; not only is the Roc-A-Fella king maker one prolific rapper and writer, his output is of high enough quality to keep heads ringin'. While there's no single classic on the order of "Hard Knock Life" here, collaborations with Dr. Dre (the truly defiant "Watch Me"), Juvenile ("Snoopy Track"), and UGK ("Big Pimpin'") argue well for Jay-Z's continued vitality. Further proof may lie in the fact that, faced with mass bootlegging weeks before the CD's release, the Z-man added several tracks, effectively revising it at the last minute. --Rickey Wright Amazon.com

 Good album.
This was a good album. I was a big fan of the song he did with Juvenile on this album. Overall a 'good' album far from great. September 21, 2007

 4.5 stars: Great follow up to Hard Knock Life
Jay's streak continued with Vol 3. He has some of the most potent album cuts ever. His album cuts are tighter than the majority of other rapper's singles. Could have been a classic if he had taken out 4 songs.

Top Joints:
Hova Song (intro)
So Ghetto
Do It Again (Put Ya Hands Up)
Dope Man
It's Hot (Some Like It Hot) (A little heat for 50)
Snoopy Track (featuring Juvenile) (Should have been a single)
S. Carter (featuring Amil)
Big Pimpin' (featuring UGK) Classic!
There's Been A Murder (Tight)
Come And Get Me (Shots to give)
December 24, 2006

 Close to being great...
Anyone who liked volume II has to buy this album. Although admittedly a few songs fall flat, this is still a superb record. I really
think this was one of the best rap albums released back when rap was actually good aka pre 2002.

There are a couple of club type songs, flow type songs, serious songs and etc. I actually liked his duo with DRE and think it was a pretty good rhyme although "Things That You Do" f/ Mariah falls flat pretty quickly. I dont know who the heck Amil is but she generally sounds good on the album and I think that having Big Pimpin plus 2 good, hidden tracks is icing on this cake. How could you not buy this album for $10 if you love raps glory days from the late 90s/early00? October 3, 2006

 Am I Hearing Something Different (2.5 stars)
I'm reading some of the recent reviews and most of them are 5 star reviews. I wonder if they ever sat down and listened to the album or are they aware if Jay-Z is capable of much more.

Anyway Jay-Z's fourth album Vol.3: Life And Times Of Shawn Carter is a semi-decent album at best. In 1999, Jay-Z was possibly enjoying the mainstream status of his career, to the point that he has been lacking on the microphone. He hasn't improved since Vol.2: Hard Knock Life. His rhymes seemed to be slapped together, as shown in the second track "So Ghetto" with rhymes like "Jigga man, Volume 3/I'm back looking like me/stop the presses/ladies drop your dresses." Some tracks just fall flat on the ground like the Mariah Carey assisted "Things That You Do", and and the weak hook on "S. Carter". Awkward moments are on this album like Dr. Dre appearing on the song "Watch Me" as Jigga doesn't shine lyrically on the track. "Come And Get Me" could have been shortened and condenced to three verses, since I've ever heard Jigga do a solo song lasting longer than 4 and a half minutes. Amil, Beanie Sigel, and Memphis Bleek colab with Jay for "Pop 4 Roc" and that fails causing me to loose my attention towards it.

Now there are some good songs on this album though. The first single "Do It Again (Put Ya Hands Up)" was probably a club banger back in late '99/early 2000 with the help of Beanie Sigel. "It's Hot (Some Like It Hot)" Jay turns to his lyrical side and it works somewhat on the better side on this track with rhymes like "I'm about a dollar, what the f*** is 50 Cents" (a response to 50's "How To Rob"). UGK hooks up with Jay on the hit single "Big Pimpin" that is one of the standout tracks (If you remember when it was on the radio/television, Jay had an extra verse, that is not on the album). Mostly the production on this CD saves it from being a failure. "Snoop Track" featuring Juvenile is one of those tracks that carries a good beat.

The bonus tracks "Jigga My N****" appeared on the Ruff Ryders first comp album and "Girls Best Friend" appeared on the Blue Streak Sndtrk. A couple of bonus songs that are better than the ones on the album.

As I said before Jay-Z is capable of doing much better. Many Jigga fans want to hear the same man that was on Reasonable Doubt, and this album is far from what that is. The production saves this from being a complete failure in my opinion. Luckly Jigga stepped his rhymes back up on future albums. If you want to hear more Jay-Z or you have never bought this album and are curious, I recommend this to you. Otherwise pick up other Jigga albums.

Lyrics: D+
Production: B-
Guest Appearances: C
Musical Vibes: C-

Favorite Tracks: Do It Again (Put Yo Hands Up), It's Hot (Some Like It Hot), Snoopy Track, Big Pimpin', Jigga My N****, Girls Best Friend July 27, 2006

 stop hatin
jay held it down this summer as always with so many hits. this album was jacked off the internet so he had to make 5 songs in 2 days. I think that is amazing. June 23, 2006

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