Today, The LOX are in a partnership with JAY-Z's Roc Nation. There's more than 20 years of history between Hov' and The Warlocks. However, as fans are learning, not all of it is rooted in positivity. Back in 1998, JAY-Z dropped his third album, Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life. Like... Read more

While the JAY-Z vs. Nas battle of the early 2000s may be the one that gets the most ink in the history books, Hov's beef with late Mobb Deep MC Prodigy is one of legend too. From Summer Jam photo reveals to disses on both sides, these two artists had... Read more

Last week, Joe Budden released his Rage & The Machine album. The third single from the self-released LP is "I Gotta Ask." Featuring a great deal of lyrical, cadence, and beat references to 1998 Jay Z single "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)" (produced by New Jersey's own 45 King)—this song... Read more

In June of 2003, Joe Budden's eponymous debut LP dropped, enjoying the success of its lead single, which arrived a month prior in the form of "Pump It Up." Produced by Just Blaze, the record remains one of Budden's most successful, but it almost didn't happen. Jay Z reportedly was... Read more

In 1999, Jay Z and DMX embarked (and majorly cashed in) on the Hard Knock Life Tour. Although Jay Z's album gave the tour its name, the lineup was a joint headliner of the Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder and DMX. Both artists had become the flagship acts at Def Jam Records... Read more

Almost 20 years ago, 45 King (and Kid Capri) gave Jay Z one of the biggest anthems of his career with "Hard Knock Life." Before the vocal sample trend would define the early 2000s, the original Flavor Unit founder returned to form by letting the cast of Annie chronicle life... Read more