Talk:Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter

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Infamous?

It's not explained why the song Big Pimpin is "now-infamous". I will change this if someone can't come up with a decent reason. Thesean43 16:54, 14 June 2007 (UTC)

Well it's been 2 years and you haven't made your move, what's stopping you? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.125.159.186 (talk) 00:50, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

Concept album series?

This article is included to "Concept album series" category. Are there any reliable sources that classify this album as "Concept album"? If there are none, it should be excluded from the category. Netrat (talk) 22:17, 9 August 2009 (UTC)

Chicago Tribune review

Transcription using Google News Advanced News Archive Search. Chicago Tribune (Kot, Greg. 3. January 9, 2000) review of Vol. 3… Life and Times of S. Carter (1999):

Jay-Z. Vol. 3 . . . Life and Times of S. Carter (Roc-A-Fella) (star) (star) (star). Jay-Z stands as one of hip-hop's most respected commercial juggernauts, a skilled, cunning rapper who sells records by the millions. He possesses perhaps the most versatile verbal attack since LL Cool J, adapting his delivery to the distinctive sound beds created for him by a variety of producers, notably the brilliant Timbaland, who just keeps getting wiggier. But for all his talent, the Brooklyn emcee and record mogul panders to pimp fantasy, extolling the size of his guns, bankroll and sexual appetite when he isn't casting a wary eye at would-be assassins, verbal and otherwise. Like the earlier editions of Jay-Z's aural autobiography, "Vol. 3" defines the rapper strictly in terms of commerce. In that respect, Jay-Z's level of self-awareness is utterly in tune with his generation's; he's not an artist so much as a multimedia-savvy product manager, in tune with how the game is played: "Radio's gotta play me though I cuss too much/Magazines said I'm shallow and never learned to swim/Still they put me on the cover because I earn for them."

— Greg Kot

Dan56 (talk) 17:35, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

NME review

Transcription using Google News Advanced News Archive Search. NME (Fadele, Dele. February 16, 2000) review of Vol. 3… Life and Times of S. Carter (1999):

The world's gone mad. Multimillionaire rapper Shawn Carter has been arraigned for a stabbing incident on December 1, 1999, and could face up to 17 years in jail. What happened when he allegedly confronted industry exec Lance 'Un' Riviera at a Q-Tip album-launch party is subject to speculation, but it seems a massive setback for the biggest name in rap, Jay-Z. Who, incidentally, now refers to himself as Jay-Hova. Such Messianic tendencies might suggest a suitable case for medication, but anyone who has existed in and survived to Jay-Z's age in Brooklyn's infamous Marcy projects can be forgiven for declaring themselves a deity.

Inevitably, this fourth album by the crown ruler of rap (who also has a lucrative parallel career ghostwriting hits for others), will triumph at the global musical box office. But is it as hyper-realistic, clever and serrated as past work? Has he coaxed the artform forward? Yes and no. For, while 'Snoopy Track' has a most intense and askew electronic groove, Jay-Z has mainly ditched his original intentions of getting deep and political (aside for the assertive 'NYMP'), and is up for settling recent scores instead.

Consequently, nothing here is as reflective as '98's 'You Must Love Me', and Jay-Z admits as much when he confesses that a shattered spirit and a numbness inside has led him towards an aggressive player/ ballin'/ money-flauntin' lifestyle. What treats the listener does get are a series of uptempo party tunes much leavened by threats to the masculinity of competitors, as Carter uses his pen to cast himself as 'Dope Man' (in which he's on trial for selling albums), hustler, pimp and teacher. An intelligent man, with a gifted turn of slang, Jay-Z spits venom one minute and cools out the next. But he always has the jealous, the weak, and those who have crossed him in his sights.

7 out of 10

— Dele Fadele

Dan56 (talk) 21:21, 14 September 2009 (UTC)

USA Today review

Transcription using Google News Advanced News Archive Search. USA Today (Jones, Steve. 02.D. January 4, 2000) review of Vol. 3… Life and Times of S. Carter (1999):

Every Tuesday: Music reviews by USA TODAY critics;

ENTERTAINMENT. RAP: Jay-Z, Vol. 3 . . . The Life and Times of S. Carter ( * * * * out of four)

Considering Jay-Z's phenomenal success the past year, he would have been well within his rights to capitalize on his burgeoning pop appeal by softening his rhymes to broaden his audience. Instead, he chose to go the opposite route, "bringing the suburbs to the 'hood." If anything, getting bigger has made him harder, more defiant and more apt to take on all challenges. Whether he's describing a night of debauchery with Roc-a-Fella cohorts Beanie Sigel and Amil on first single Do It Again (Put Ya Hands Up), creating an anthem for his native Marcy Projects in Brooklyn on NYMP or openly daring enemies to step to him on Come and Get Me, his lyrics and sense of timing are as razor-sharp as ever. Jay-Z gets production help from several notable track masters, including Timbaland, who does four tracks; Swizz Beats, on Things That U Do (featuring Mariah Carey); and Dr. Dre, on a creeping ode to living for the moment, Watch Me. He probably has as good an understanding of his popularity as anyone, as he shows on the evocative Dope Man, in which he's put on trial for becoming like "audio crack," addicting listeners. The evidence: three previous albums that have marked the rapid evolution of an artist who may be only beginning to approach his peak. Later this month, the court will have to decide on the real felony assault charges he faces, stemming from a December stabbing. But, when it comes to his music, he makes his own case.

— Steve Jones

Dan56 (talk) 22:35, 14 September 2009 (UTC)