"Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)," with its Annie-sampled chorus, marked the beginning of Jay-Z's mainstream domination and helped move 5 million units of Vol 2...Hard Knock Life. Jay didn't attend the Academy Awards in 1999, but he was still awarded "Best Rap Album" ahead of Big Pun and A Tribe Called Quest.
Other Nominees:
Other Nominees:
- Big Pun - Capital Punishment
- Jermaine Dupri - Life in 1472 Soundtrack
- Mase - Harlem World
- A Tribe Called Quest - The Love Movement