Album: “In My Lifetime, Vol. 1”
Release Date: November 4, 1997
Singles: “Who You Wit” “(Always Be My) Sunshine” “The City Is Mine” “Wishing on a Star”
Best Songs: “Lucky Me” “Imaginary Player” “Streets Is Watching” “Where I’m From”
With the passing of both Frank White and Mr. Shakur, Jay was ready to carry the rap torch but didn’t get his big cross-over hit until next album Vol. 2 Hard Knock Life. Although headlined with some of his worst singles largely contributed to Puffy making it a cross-over record for Jay, it’s still my topic pick for best Jay-Z album. Jay was visibly depressed with the loss of his best friend during the recording process but still managed to improve a bit on his flow largely due to the fact of his growth as an emcee. During my teenage years in the late 90s, along with friends we would play “Imaginary Player” and “Streets Is Watching” constantly. Yo, true story.
One of the best lines “I’m from the place where the church is the flakiest, And niggas been praying to God so long that they atheist.” – “Where I’m From”