Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)


"Hard Knock Life " is a single from American rapper Jay-Z's third album Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life. It features a pitch-modified sample of the song "It's the Hard Knock Life" from the 1977 musical Annie. The song was produced by The 45 King and at the time of its release was the most commercially successful Jay-Z single. The RIAA certified it as a gold single in March 1999, and it reached platinum status on July 15, 2015. In addition, it was nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 41st Grammy Awards in 1999. The song peaked at number fifteen on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside the United States, the song peaked within the top ten of the charts in Canada, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Ireland, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, as well as the top twenty of the charts in Austria and Belgium.

Music video

The consists of Jay-Z performing outdoors in Brooklyn, New York. Dame Dash appears in the video.

Reception

"Hard Knock Life" was ranked number 11 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip-Hop.
While it peaked at number fifteen on the Billboard Hot 100, "Hard Knock Life" was also Jay-Z's first single to achieve significant success outside the United States, peaking within the top ten of the charts in several countries, including Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom. In the latter country, "Hard Knock Life" saw its biggest success, entering and peaking at number two on the UK Singles Chart in December 1998, stalling behind Britain's biggest-selling single of 1998, "Believe" by Cher, during its seventh consecutive week at the summit of the chart.

Usage in media

The song was parodied by Mike Myers as his character Dr. Evil in the 2002 movie Austin Powers in Goldmember.
Comedy rap trio Sudden Death parodied the song on their album Die Laughing, titled "Star Trek Life".

Formats and track listings

UK CD

  1. "Hard Knock Life "
  2. "Can't Knock The Hustle "
  3. "Hard Knock Life "

    Vinyl

A-side

  1. "Hard Knock Life "
  2. "Hard Knock Life "

    B-side

  3. "Hard Knock Life "

    Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Chart Position
Germany 48
Netherlands 82
Switzerland 46
US Billboard Hot 10089
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs 53

Certifications