Vol. 3… Life and Times of S. Carter is the fourth studio album by American rapper Jay-Z . It was released on December 28, 1999, by Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings . According to USA Today critic Steve Jones, the record marked a return to the street-oriented sound of Jay-Z's 1996 debut album, Reasonable Doubt . Vol. 3... featured production from Swizz Beatz , Timbaland , K-Rob , DJ Clue , Rockwilder , DJ Premier , and Irv Gotti , among others.