Vol. 3 Life and Times of S. Carter (1999) Vol. 3 Life and Times of S. Carter continues the saga of Jay-Z's adventures in the glittering world of "Money, Cash, Hoes," as one title… Jay-Z
Jay-Z, Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter

GOOD 'TIMES' The hip-hopper's ''Vol. 3'' finds him keepin' it real

EW's GRADE
A-

Details Lead Performance: Jay-Z

Vol. 3 Life and Times of S. Carter continues the saga of Jay-Z's adventures in the glittering world of ''Money, Cash, Hoes,'' as one title from his four-times-platinum ''Hard Knock Life'' put it. Shawn Carter's name links the letters of the subway lines that run through his Brooklyn neighborhood; the unmistakable goal of ''Vol. 3'' is to reconnect with the people who ride those run-down trains -- while Jay-Z summers in the Hamptons.

It does that, with flair. If the album doesn't break new ground, it also doesn't fall off. In fact, Jay-Z now stands as the rapper who has best maintained his credibility while still putting up big numbers. The album's key track is ''Come and Get Me,'' in which Jay-Z stares down the playa hatas over a sizzling, percussive track produced by Timbaland: ''I ain't crossover/I brought the suburbs to the hood.'' And if critics think Jay-Z's material obsessions are superficial, he's got an answer for that: ''Magazines said I'm shallow/I never learned to swim/Still they put me on they cover/Cause I earn for them.'' Touché.

Originally posted Jan 10, 2000