Notorious 'Christopher George Letore Wallace' B.I.G. (Business Instead of Game) was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY on May 21, 1972. During his life he moved many crowds with his conversational style in Hip Hop. He released two studio albums both garnering critical and public acclaim: 'Ready To Die' and 'Life After Death'.
Notorious B.I.G. Was shot to death from a drive-by in Los Angeles, CA on March 9, 1997. As a youth he was an honor-roll student, but dropped out of school at the age of 17 and began working for a small-time crack cocaine dealer in Virginia. As a teen he would freestyle rap on the streets of Brooklyn. After making a demo tape with neighborhood friends and connections, this demo was eventually received DJ Mister Cee (from Big Daddy Kane).
1997 - The Notorious B.I.G - Life After Death [320]. Tracklist: Disc 1: 01. Life After Death Intro. Somebody's Gotta Die. Kick In The Door. Biggie Smalls passin any test, I'm ready to die! [Outro: Notorious B.I.G. (Puff)] I'm ready (Time to go, we gonna put you out your misery motherfucker) Niggaz definitely know what time it is The Notorious one in full effect for '93! Suicidal, I'm ready! (Now I lay me down to sleep) Yeah (Pray the Lord my soul to keep) (If I should die before I.
From there he got notice in Hip-Hop magazine, The Source, in the Unsigned Hype section. Sean 'Puffy' Combs got a hold of the demo tape and after meeting signed Biggie to Uptown Records.
Puffy eventually started his own music label, Bad Boy Records, bringing Biggie with him. Soon after Bad Boy's premiere he released the album, Ready To Die, eventually selling over 4 million copies. To this day B.I.G. Is regarded as one of the best lyricist ever in Hip-Hop along with his one time friend and eventual adversary, Tupac Shakur.
. ' Released: August 9, 1994. ' Released: December 30, 1994. 'Warning' Released: February 1995. ' Released: June 6, 1995 Ready to Die is the debut by American rapper, released on September 13, 1994,.
The album features production by Bad Boy founder, and, among others. It was recorded from 1993 to 1994 at and in. The partly autobiographical album tells the story of the rapper's experiences as a young criminal, and was the only studio album released during his lifetime, as he was murdered sixteen days before the release of his second album in 1997.
Ready to Die was released to critical acclaim and became a commercial success, achieving Gold certification. In 1995, it was certified double platinum by the (RIAA), and has since reached a certified 6x with sales. It was significant for revitalizing the scene, amid 's commercial dominance. The album's second single ' was nominated for a at the. Ready to Die has been regarded by many critics as one of the greatest hip hop albums, as well as one of the best albums of all time. Contents.
Background and recording The album was recorded in (mainly at ) in two stages between 1993 and 1994. In 1994, Biggie was 21 years old going on 22 when he recorded the album. In 1993, Biggie was signed to the label.
Biggie started recording his debut album in New York, after making numerous guest appearances among his label-mates' singles during the previous year. The first tracks recorded include the album's darker, less radio-friendly content (including 'Ready to Die,' 'Gimme the Loot' and 'Things Done Changed'). In these sessions, magazine describe an 'inexperienced, higher-pitched' Biggie sounding 'hungry and paranoid'. When executive producer was fired from Uptown, Biggie's career hung in limbo, as the album was only partially completed.
After a brief period in, Biggie returned to the studio the following year on Combs' new label possessing 'a smoother, more confident vocal tone' and completed the album. In this stage, the more commercial-sounding tracks of the album were recorded, including the album's singles. Between the two stages, XXL writes that Biggie moved from writing his lyrics in notebooks to them from memory. The album was released with a cover depicting an infant resembling the artist, though sporting an, which pertains to the album's concept of the artist's life from birth to his death. It has been listed as among the best album covers in hip hop. Lawsuits and sample removal On March 24, 2006, and won a federal lawsuit against for copyright infringement, with a jury deciding that Combs and Bad Boy had illegally used samples for the production of the songs 'Ready to Die', 'Machine Gun Funk', and 'Gimme the Loot'. The jury awarded $4.2 million in punitive and direct damages to the two plaintiffs, and federal judge enacted an immediate sales ban on the album and tracks in question.
On appeal, the found the damages unconstitutionally high and in violation of and remanded the case, at which point Campbell reduced them by $2.8 million; however, the verdict was upheld. All versions of the album released since the lawsuit are without the disputed samples. Although a issue, Combs and Bad Boy never raised the legal concept of the fair use doctrine in their defense. This decision was questioned by some legal experts: Anthony Falzone of the at criticized Combs and Bad Boy for not defending the legality of sampling and suggested that they might have refused to raise such a defense because they feared it could later imperil their control over their own music. On April 2, 2014, of filed a multimillion-dollar copyright infringement suit against Combs, Bad Boy Records, and the estate of the late for copyright infringement, alleging that his song ' was illegally sampled in the production of the song 'The What'. The estate countersued in turn, claiming the sample as used was short, adapted, and supplemented, and thus subject to fair use, a legal tactic not pursued previously.
Composition Production The production on the album was mainly handled by and The Hitmen. Coker of depicted the beats as 'heavy bottomed and slick, but B.I.G.'
S rhymes are the showstoppers. The tracks only enhance them, whether it's the live bass driving a menacing undercurrent or the use of bluesy guitar and wah-wah feedback' and that the production is used to 'push the rapper to new heights.' The production is mainly -based with the samples varying from the of tracks to the vocals of hip hop songs. Steve Huey presented some criticism over the beats, stating that the 'deliberate beats do get a little samey, but it hardly matters: this is Biggie's show'.
Lyrical themes The Notorious B.I.G.' S lyrics on the album were generally praised by critics. Many critics applauded his story-telling ability such as AllMusic writer Steve Huey, who stated 'His raps are easy to understand, but his skills are hardly lacking—he has a loose, easy flow and a talent for piling multiple rhymes on top of one another in quick succession'. He also went on to mention that his lyrics are 'firmly rooted in reality, but play like a scene from a movie'., writing for The New York Times, referred to The Notorious B.I.G., proclaiming that he stood out from other rappers because 'his lyrics mix autobiographical details about crime and violence with emotional honesty, telling how he felt while making a living as a drug dealer'.
The album is also noted for its dark tone and sinister sense of depression. In the original Rolling Stone review, Cheo H Coker declared that he 'maintains a consistent level of tension by juxtaposing emotional highs and lows'. 'Things Done Changed' was also one of the few hip hop songs in The Norton Anthology of African American Literature. The lyrics on Ready to Die tend to deal with violence, drug dealing, women, alcohol and use, and other elements of Notorious B.I.G.' S environment.
He rapped about these topics in 'clear, sparse terms, allowing the lyrics to hit the first time you hear them'. The album contains a loose concept starting out with an intro that details his birth, his early childhood, his adolescence and his life at the point of the album's release. Songs on the album range from homicide narratives ('Warning') to braggadocios ('The What,' 'Unbelievable'). The final song was 'Suicidal Thoughts', a song where The Notorious B.I.G. Contemplates and finally commits. The album's is a narrative, with music that 's 1982 song '.
Problems playing this file? Three singles were released from the album: ', ', ' and a promotional track of Biggie: '.
According to the more commercial sound of the singles compared to the rest of the album was a result of encouragement by Combs during the later recording sessions in which they were recorded. 'Juicy' was released as the lead single on August 8, 1994. It peaked at number 27 on the, number 14 on and reached number 3 on the. It shipped 500,000 copies in the United States and the RIAA certified it on November 16, 1994. Produced by Combs, it features a prominent sample of ' as performed.
AllMusic's Steve Huey stated that, along with the other singles, it was an 'upbeat, commercial moment', calling it a 'rags-to-riches chronicle'. Andrew Kameka, of HipHopDX.com, stated that the song was one of his 'greatest and most-revealing songs' and went on to say it was a 'Part-autobiography, part-declaration-of-success.
It documents the star's transition from Brooklyn knucklehead to magazine cover story.' Producer, who was commissioned to remix the track, alleged that Puffy stole the idea for the original song's beat after hearing it from him during a visit. Rock explained this in an interview with: I did the original version, didn't get credit for it. They came to my house, heard the beat going on the drum machine, it's the same story. You come downstairs at my crib, you hear music. He heard that shit and the next thing you know it comes out. They had me do a remix, but I tell people, and I will fight it to the end, that I did the original version of that.
I'm not mad at anybody, I just want the correct credit. 'Big Poppa' was released as the second single on December 24, 1994 and like the previous single, it was a hit on multiple charts. It reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100, number four on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks and number one on Hot Rap Singles. It sold over a million units and the RIAA certified it on May 23, 1995. Featuring production by Combs and Chucky Thompson of The Hitmen, it samples '. The song was nominated at the for, but lost to 's '.
Steve Huey named it an 'overweight-lover anthem'. 'One More Chance' was released as the third single on June 9, 1995. The single was a of the album track. It was produced by Combs and featured a sample from 's 'Stay With Me'. It peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks and Hot Rap Singles.
It sold over a million copies and the RIAA certified it Platinum on July 31, 1995. Steve Huey labeled it a 'graphic sex rap'.
Rolling Stone writer Cheo H. Coker had a similar view of the song, noting that it was 'one of the bawdiest sex raps since 's classic, ' and continued, stating it 'proves hilarious simply because of B.I.G.' S vulgarity.' Critical reception Professional ratings Review scores Source Rating A− 5/5 10/10 4.5/5 Ready to Die received critical acclaim from music critics.
In his review for, stated ' Ready to Die is the strongest solo rap debut since 's. From the breathtakingly visual moments of his birth to his end in 'Suicidal Thoughts,' B.I.G. Proves a captivating listen. It's difficult to get him out of your head once you sample what he has to offer'. From commented 'His sex raps are erotic, his jokes are funny, and his music makes the thug life sound scary rather than luxuriously laid back.
When he considers suicide, I not only take him at his word, I actively hope he finds another way'. Wrote 'Though drug dealing carries tremendous heroic value with some young urban dwellers, he sacrifices the figure's romantic potential. His raps acknowledge both the excitement of drug dealing and the stress caused by the threat from other dealers, robbers, the police and parents, sometimes one's own. In presenting the downside of that life, Ready to Die offers perhaps the most balanced and honest portrait of the dealer's life of any in hip-hop'. Magazine gave Ready to Die three out of five stars, and stated 'the natural rapping, clever use of sound effects and acted dialogue, and concept element (from a baby being born at the start to the fading heartbeat at the end) set this well apart from the average gangsta bragging'.
In their original review for Ready to Die, gave it four-and-a-half out of five 'mics', stating 'Big weaves tales like a cinematographer, each song is like another scene in his lifestyle. Overall, this package is complete: ridiculous beats, harmonizing honeys, ill sound effects, criminal scenarios, and familiar hooks'. Legacy Ready to Die has been highly acclaimed. In 1998, The Source included it on their 100 Best Rap Albums of All Time list, and in 2002, they re-rated it to the maximum five 'mics'. Rolling Stone has also given acclaim to Ready to Die over the years. In 2003, they ranked it number 133 on their list, and one year later, they re-rated it to five stars.
In 2011, Rolling Stone also placed it at number eight on their 100 Best Albums of the Nineties list, and described it as 'mapping out the sound of ' cool'. Kilian Murphy from wrote favorably of the album in a retrospective review, and concluded 'Sweet, hypocritical, sensitive, violent, depressed and jubilant; these words could all fittingly describe Big at various points on Ready to Die.'
Steve Huey from gave it five stars, stating 'The album that reinvented East Coast rap for the gangsta age, Ready to Die made the Notorious B.I.G. Today it's recognized as one of the greatest hardcore rap albums ever recorded, and that's mostly due to Biggie's skill as a storyteller'. In 2006, magazine included it on their 100 Greatest Albums of All Time list, and stated 'On Ready to Die, took his street corner experiences and filtered them through his considerable charm. The result was a record that mixed long stretches of menace with romance and lots of humor. No rapper ever made multi-syllabic rhymes sound as smooth'. The album was also included in the book.
Accolades. The information regarding accolades is adapted from Acclaimedmusic.net, except where noted. Intro.
'Superfly' performed by. ' performed by.
'Top Billin' performed by. 'Tha Shiznit' performed by Things Done Changed. 'California My Way' performed by. 'Summer Breeze' performed by The Main Ingredient. 'Vapors' performed by. 'Lil Ghetto Boy' performed by Gimme the Loot.
'Coldblooded' performed by. 'Singing in the Morning' performed by (Removed following lawsuit.).
'Throw Ya Gunz' performed by. 'What They Hittin' Foe?' . Inc, Nielsen Business Media (1995). Nielsen Business Media, Inc.
Steve Huey. Retrieved March 17, 2007. ^ Duncan, Andrea. From the original on November 10, 2006.
Menconi, David (January 25, 2009). From the original on April 23, 2017. Ego trip's book of rap lists (1st ed.). New York: St.
Martin's Griffin. P. 167. first1= missing last1= in Authors list. J-23 (December 30, 2005). From the original on October 7, 2013.
Retrieved October 5, 2013. ^ AP (March 24, 2006). The Bryan Times. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
Exclusive Rights. April 13, 2009. Archived from on November 25, 2009.
Retrieved October 5, 2013. Bailey, Jonathan (April 18, 2009). Bad Boy Blog. From the original on October 7, 2013. Retrieved October 5, 2013. From the original on October 23, 2013.
Retrieved October 5, 2013. ^ Falzone, Anthony (October 18, 2007). The Center for Internet and Society. From the original on October 7, 2013. Retrieved October 5, 2013. Beekman, Daniel (April 2, 2014). From the original on April 8, 2014.
Retrieved April 8, 2014. Gardner, Eriq (April 1, 2014). The Hollywood Reporter. From the original on April 3, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2014. ^ (November 3, 1994).
Archived from on January 14, 2009. Retrieved December 30, 2012. ^. ^ TOURE (December 18, 1994).
The New York Times. From the original on July 1, 2017. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
Gates Jr., Henry Louis, ed. The Norton Anthology of African American literature (2. New York, NY u.a.: Norton. ^ Huey, Steve. From the original on June 4, 2012. Retrieved October 23, 2009. Retrieved May 15, 2008.
Retrieved July 11, 2017. Kameka, Andrew. From the original on January 16, 2010. Retrieved July 11, 2017. February 20, 2012, at the. (July 13, 2004). Archived from on August 21, 2004.
Retrieved July 28, 2018. Christgau's Consumer Guide: Albums of the '90s. Retrieved October 31, 2009. Kameka, Andrew (March 7, 2007).
From the original on May 21, 2015. Retrieved October 23, 2009.
Trammell, Matthew (March 9, 2017). From the original on March 9, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2017. ^ 'The Notorious B.I.G.: Ready to Die'. December 1994. 'The Notorious B.I.G.' In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian.
^ Shortie (October 1994). New York (61): 79. From the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved February 1, 2013. London (90): 128. November 2004.
From the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved July 9, 2016. (December 18, 1994).
From the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved October 23, 2009. ^ June 16, 2010, at the. 'Got Five on It'. Rolling Stone. From the original on July 9, 2017.
Retrieved July 11, 2017. Murphy, Killian (June 22, 2004). From the original on February 5, 2010.
Retrieved October 23, 2009. Tyrangiel, Josh (January 22, 2010). From the original on January 30, 2017. Retrieved July 11, 2017. Robert Dimery; Michael Lydon (March 23, 2010).
1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die: Revised and Updated Edition. From the original on April 5, 2015. Retrieved July 11, 2017. Adaso, Henry. From the original on April 5, 2015.
Retrieved July 11, 2017. Adaso, Henry. From the original on April 18, 2015. Retrieved July 11, 2017. Archived from on September 5, 2012. Retrieved July 11, 2017. Goldstein, Hartley.
From the original on June 8, 2017. Retrieved July 11, 2017. Rolling Stone. From the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved July 11, 2017. February 4, 2012, at the. From the original on July 16, 2014.
Retrieved 2014-06-21. CS1 maint: Archived copy as title. Retrieved October 11, 2011. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
Retrieved October 10, 2013. Select albums in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type Ready to Die in the 'Search BPI Awards' field and then press Enter.
If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH. External links.