with commercial appeal". Robert Christgau gave the album a two-star honorable mention in his 2000 Consumer Guide book, indicating a "likable effort consumers attuned to its overriding aesthetic or individual vision may well enjoy". He named "(Always Be My) Sunshine" and "Real Niggaz" as highlights while calling Jay-Z "arrogant yet diffident, ruthless yet cute—a scary original". Chris Norris of Spin said Jay-Z's raps are often "in search of meaty ideas or distinctive charm—skills without pleasure", and was also critical of the production. "Without one sure, guiding vision," Norris wrote, "the Combs blueprint comes off as either mundane or embarrassing". AllMusic editor John Bush wrote in a retrospective review, "Though the productions are just a bit flashier and more commercial than on his debut, Jay-Z remained the tough street rapper, and even improved a bit on his flow". According to Bush, he "struts the line between project poet and up-and-coming player" while balancing "both personas with the best rapping heard in the rap game since the deaths of 2Pac and Notorious B.I.G.". Track listing Charts Weekly charts Year-end charts Singles Certifications References External links In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 at Discogs Album Review at RapReviews Jay-Z albums 1997 albums Albums produced by Buckwild Albums produced by Chad Hugo Albums produced by Sean Combs Albums produced by Teddy Riley Albums produced by DJ Premier Albums produced by Ski Beatz Albums produced by Trackmasters Albums produced by Jaz-O Def Jam Recordings albums Roc-A-Fella Records albums