Ready To Die

intro isch sochli es intro wies zu dem punkt cho isch i sim lebe? geburt denn curtis mayfield denn sugarhill gang denn zug usraube denn usem gfängnis use. sehr cool. things done changed easy cooli reim? mega pretty beat mit de harfe und so. gimme the loot super minimal beat huere hässige biggie. bi gimme the loot ischer afoch e gschicht am verzelle vo sehr viel gwalt und lüt verschüsse und so. bi warning reimt er wieder wie en gott er chas uuuhuere ready to die au wieder understated aber häässig. i like it. schono krass das das album so heisst und bitz meh als e johr spöter ischer fucking tod wie en fisch. one more chance haha sie het en heeerte new yoawk akzent. "joo du arsch hesch mini best kollegin gebemst" chill. joo biggie du mega sexgott ich weiss. MAKE YER KIDNEYS SHIFT BRUDI CHILL. hooly shit huere horny stuff. "i got that good dick" okay hengs etz. er cha so reime aber reims über huuere grausige scheiss. aber er het mi immer wieder mitem flow. the cleanest meanest penis never seen this hahaha. ich los gad en porno?? ääääh oreo cookie eating haha whatt!? the what isch okay aber jetz lauft juicy und da isch de banger vo dem album. wiso kenn ich d lyrics vo dem song? de bass am slappe ohyeah. jo sehr pleasant beat sehr geili drums de afang slappt extrem. sehr sehr guete song. everyday struggle isch jo huuuere dark fuck. aber er smoket mad newports vo dem her isch jo alles uf chillo. me and my bitch? nöd guet? find de etz weeniger geil. big poppa geeile beat. wieder storytelling time cool. respect haaarde beat hobla mega hessig. WISO HETS AM SCHLUSS WIEDER SEXGRÜÜSCH WA LAUFT??? horny fucking album. langs fucking album. de guy mega nöd e gueti ziit

Yes! This album reminds me of high school. Still love it.

One of the best rap albums of all time and some of my favourite rap songs. Medium 4.

A solid hip-hop classic. Widely considered one of the best rap albums ever made for a reason.

generally very good, some parts definitely drag on for too long

This album as a whole goes hard. Some excellent lyricism and rapping. It gets a little old near the end of the album, but that's not a major issue. There is a major issue of some of the set pieces and some of the content of the songs. They cross a line for me, and it takes away from the album for me. Favorite Song(s): Ready to Die, Juicy, Everyday Struggle

Pretty good.

Great album, but the profanity can be hard to listen to at times.

Great album. I have never heard the whole thing before but it's pretty good and worth a listen every once and a while. Great example of 90's rap.

Pretty bored by this but I appreciate it!

Alright album, not my taste, unlikely to listen again, but I can tell why others would love it.

I'm so white, I like this music and the importance of it culturally, damn there's some song with a lot of sex noises

While not my favorite rapper, I do respect Biggie for what he did for the genre and find him to be one of the more easily listenable gangsta rap artists of the time. I think this album is a testament to why his sound was so influential; it's obvious when you listen to songs like "Big Poppa" and "Juicy" that this is an artist that was making music in his own way for him and his peers and just happened to land on a sound that would be loved by the masses. In particular, I love the beats and music behind his voice. It has a distinct "east coast" style and is so much smoother and less harsh than the "west coast" style at the time. I don't like one more than the other, but it's an obvious delineation.

Damn, ya know, never gave Biggie the time of day but a man can rhyme. I’m a fan of a bit older rap as it’s more coherent to me and I can really get into the groove. 3.9

good album, Spotify had some tracks missing so from what i head i liked

Gear: Meze 109 PRO Artwork: 👶🏾❤️ Mix (2004 Remaster): überwiegend mit ordentlich Schub im Tiefgang aber mit bemerkenswert kläglichen Ausnahmen ("Juicy"), überrschanend bluesy wah-wah Gitarren (insb. "Ready to Die") und aber immer glasklaren Vocals Musik: fast schon ironisch unsterbliches Album - manche Lyrics und Skits hätten aber in den 90ern mit begraben werden sollen Wertung: 🗽🗽🗽(🗽)/5

Never a fan of sex interludes. The rest was good though. I preferred the darker more serious songs such as Suicidal Thoughts at the end. Some great songs but not enough for 5*

Hate the friggin intros and interlude “songs” one is just sex noises for a minute The flow is obviously next level, prefer the later half of the album personally. Lyrics also amazing 4****

Yeah I was bumping’ for sure.

Many really good songs. Bit much sometimes with the sex noises

Mix of NYC and West Coast styles works to quite good effect. One likes the thickness of the voice, which seems to suit the posturing. There are places where one might've preferred a bit more tunefulness to the sound effects or the spoken word bits. And one confesses to being distracted (mostly in a good way) by the sexiest bits.

'Steve Huey from AllMusic 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. a star. 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".' OK. I guess The Notorious B.I.G. was a pivotal figure in that gangster rap scene that also saw the likes of 2Pac and Mobb Deep emerge. I voluntarily mix East Coast and West Coast here--make of that what you will. And yet today, in spite of its "reputation", this album feels more like a "historical document" than a truly timeless record. Legendary songs and details abound. But it's too damn long. And the music on it didn't age that well, contrary to many other East Coast legendary rap albums, going from Wu Tang Clan to Mos Def. Oh, and it's an album filled with too many unnecessary skits, as everyone knows (including reviewers who gave this a 5-star grade). The art of truly "essential" albums should try to be a little tighter and more cohesive. Including for rap, a genre (in)famously known for yielding overlong LPs. In spite of fortunate exceptions here and there, of course... To write this review, I used the same template as the one I used for the first Joan Baez LP, by the way. Make of that what you will, once again. 🙃 3.5/5 for the purposes of this list of essential records, rounded up to 4/5 8.5/10 for more general purposes. Number of albums left to review: more than 200, approximately - I've temporarily lost count here. Number of albums I'll include in my own list: half so far, approximately (including this one, even though it almost didn't make the cut. 1994 is one of my most favorite years for music: I've selected *45* albums for that year, and *Ready To Die* is at the bottom of that sublist--the last record on it, actually). Number of albums I *might* include: a quarter, approximately Number of albums I'll never include: another quarter, or just a little more (many other albums are more important to me)

Biggie is a legend, but I didn’t love this album. To be honest, I’m probably just not cool enough to connect with this.

Good music but it was weird listening to the sex noises on the airplane when I wasn't sure about my bluetooth headphones - 8/10

feel like evaluating this as artwork, its really good, not what id usually listen to tho 8/10

Surprisingly personal and emotional. While the album sounds a bit dated, it is clear why Biggie is considered one of the greatest of all time.

The album kicks off with a short film worthy intro. From birth to poverty to scarcity to trauma to violence to prison to freedom. The album then dives into the hedonistic daydream of wealth and sex that characterizes a lot of rap. Amazing and electric album, perfect flow and well constructed beats. The graphic nature of the album suggests they don’t want anyone to listen that can’t handle it.

I've been robbing motherfuckers since the slave ship...

Warning Juicy Big Poppa Suicidal Thoughts

favourite song: big poppa great album if a little bloated

Insanely fire album. Had to take a star off for the unrestrained woman hating though :/

Biggie's debut. Raw and aggressive gangster rap delivered in crisp and creative rhymes. Catchy beats. The tracks running from "Juicy" through "Big Poppa" in the middle of the record is as impressive as 90's hip hop gets.

Really really great album. Consistent all the way through. Weird ass interludes, but I thought it was really good. Fav tracks: suicidal thoughts, big poppa, things done changed, gimme the loot.

Great, album. Like a lot of rap albums there is way too much filler in between songs. Kind of like the intro but I get they are telling a story. For me it's a 4 stars.

Biggie has one of the most powerful voices in all of rap and the whole album certainly makes you listen to him. This is one of the few early 90s rap albums that I actually really liked. They usually don't do it for me with the repetitive beats in each song, but the beats on this album were awesome. This album was filled with bangers including Juicy which is an all time jam. The end of Respect where he was getting fellated was really weird in my ears.

It’s audacious, mean, full of skeletons. Not massive on a lot of the skits but they paint a tapestry of a violent upbringing in 80’s New York. It’s a classic for a reason, ahead of its time and for its time simultaneously.

Classic hip hop album. Some of the tracks are not top notch, but it’s all pretty good. I would pay for revised versions of so many hip hop albums that got rid of the skits/intros/interludes. Takes you out of the groove.

4.5. Phenomenal album. Lots of real, serious, dark material here. Also some more light hearted tales and humor sprinkled in. Would be a 5 if “Respect” and “Friend of Mine” were not on the album. Still one of the greatest hip hop records of all time.

Classic

Technically and production wise its a great album, a treat to listen to if you don't mind the language; but the lyrical content is just trash for someone that does not come from a black, urban, gangster background.

Good stuff, but hard to sit through the whole album in one go.

Älä mieti rap albumia kuunnellessa soinnun kauneuksia.. Muista atmosfääri ja ylimielisyys.. naisvihasta ei haittaa….

Beats og flow så det holder, men lengden og skitsene drar litt ned.

Really hope my neighbors don’t think I was blasting porn after that listen.

Don't remember this album being like 15% intros and skits! Still great, but not quite a 5

The good kind of rap. I don't like rap though. Interesting tidbit from wikipedia, this was his debut album and the only album released while he was alive. The high quality blowjob sounds at the end of respect were not really necessary though.

This album is a classic and I would give it 5 stars if it wasn't for the annoying skits

4.6

East Coat Rap is so clear to me in the 90's. Yes the West Coast had NWA and Tupac but even he was from New York. I just think whoever was producing those beats in New York was just absolutely on fire it is some of my favourite music to listen to. Although Biggie isn't my favourite he truly does have a unique voice which partnered up with the right beat can make some classics as evidence. This album is really really good especially at certain points and there are some brilliant songs on the album, but I can't be hypocritical. Some of my favourite rappers from the time usually just rap about how good they are at rapping or about how good they are killing people (not that these are needed at all) and Biggie does both of these. But for the same reasons I disliked some of Skepta I do struggle with this. Something about hearing how Biggie talks about women, especially considering his size, it is really off putting. Songs like Juicy are incredible it has a nice beat that can almost distract you from what he is talking about and what you do notice are funny or just well done. But the songs that aren't blended with a great beat are rough and you struggle to like him as a person. Thankfully he is quite self observant and it is interesting hearing the situations these people are in especially after finding out what happens to him. I think overall 90's hip hop was great, they really did care about the albums and this is no exception. Although I would love to give some of the less popular songs some recognition my stand out songs are pretty generic. 4/5 Stand Out Songs: Gimme the Loot Juicy Big Poppa

I wasn’t in the mood for another hip hop album but this was good. The laid back tempos, his smooth voice, his story in rhymes, and the backing tracks all fit together to deliver something that still holds up. I’ll say, I was surprised to read that One More Chance was released as a single. Man, some things have actually changed for the better since 1994. 4.0

Really good!

Great Album.

legendary song Juicy on this album

The majority is the album is excellent. Notorious B.I.G. is a fantastic rapper and the production is unique and engaging. Unfortunately, it does drag a little in the middle.

Goed album, iets te lang en veel van hetzelfde

every time i see my body i pass away. with the way i live my life its a miracle i make it through the day. im tired and wired to look for something to play, not something to heal my dismay. just the way i stay. every morning i pass away, its an act of mourning the boring way scorned i wake. im laying in wake, alive and awake but inside i pray my heart burns like a cigarrette stake. im waiting for accidents, im frail and fleeting, and every night i pray in my sleep that my heart stops beating. i taste the sweet season in dreams, it still takes like acid and feels like linen. mi vida es un maravilloso crimen. passing by, the birds see my crying eyes and shine like beacons. i kneel down and grasp the sand. it falls through my hands. i grasp the sand again, wondering how long ill last. i really like this album but the sex skits are awful

VMP

This is the 5th Hip Hop album in 2 weeks, and my second one in a row. My music algorithm is definitely switching up because of this.

My Spotify wrapped: I’m extremely confused Me: you’re confused? I’m fucking confused bro

"Ready to Die" by The Notorious B.I.G. feels a bit like a hip-hop mullet: business in the front, party in the back. The album kicks off with Biggie laying down some heavy groundwork, and it's here you might find yourself wondering if you accidentally wandered into a lecture rather than a legendary album. Sure, there's depth and grit in these opening tracks, but they might have you checking your watch, waiting for the beat to drop or at least something to make your head nod uncontrollably. But hold up, don't skip just yet—because once you hit the album's midpoint, it's as if Biggie flips a switch. Suddenly, you're in the midst of a block party, and every track is hitting harder than a New York slice at 2 AM. From "Big Poppa" to "Juicy," the latter half of the album is where Biggie reminds us why he's one of the kings of East Coast hip-hop. It's smooth, it's infectious, and it's everything you hoped for when you hit play. Yes, the album showcases Biggie's unparalleled flow and storytelling prowess, especially in its knockout second half. But the initial rounds? They might leave you a bit bewildered, tapping your foot impatiently on the subway platform, waiting for the express train to the hits. Maybe it's me, but no... maybe it's Biggie. Either way, when it bangs, it bangs—but getting there might feel like a bit of a trek.

This is another classic album I’ve never listened to so it was fun to finally get it despite hearing big poppa all the time in various settings. After hearing this, I’m definitely more of an east coast over west coast 90s rap fan because I prefer this much more than the Tupac albums I’ve gotten so far. Some of the skits go on for too long (the intro 3 minutes jesus) but they can also be really funny (fuck me interlude) but the real star of the album is the brutal songwriting paired with really chill production. Things done changed, one more chance, big poppa, and juicy were my favs.

some the lyrics made me regret this being my International Women’s Day album and that interlude had me feeling like a prude love the instrumentals and his rhythm it’s so fun how many indie musicians i listen to have referenced this i will definitely listen to this again 👍had to mute the outro to Respect

Wasn’t much of a Biggie fan, but this album changed my perception. Best tracks to me are Things Done Changed and Everyday Struggle. Of course the lyrics are misogynistic. If that surprised someone, I don’t know what to say.

Maybe the first hiphop album I actually enjoyed. Biggy has a unique style and a great vibe. I don’t resonate with all themes but overall it’s lyrically amazing. Favourite songs: - Juicy - Big poppa - Friend of mine

Yeah sure. This should be here but not that psyched on the misogyny etc

Thoroughly enjoyed the Biggie album. But I don’t quite connect with him as much as I do 2Pac, Wu Tang, and some others of the era. Just a little bit too much macho swagger for me. Still undeniably great stuff. Though the track “fuck me” reveals some refreshing self-awareness about all that. Hilarious!

OMG.

Some stuff from the legendary B.I.G, cool. Not sure I think as highly of this as the rest of the world, but it was pretty decent still. As seems mandatory with all 90s rap, it contains all the profanities you'd expect along with blowjob skit songs, and promises of extreme violence. I think B.I.G. has a very nice rap style/flow as well that stounds out from other artists from the same era. The album didn't start out that strong, but had a real nice streak of my favourite songs with 'Machine Gun Funk', 'Warning' (which sounds like a complete rip-off of 'Hood Took Me Under' by Compton's Most Wanted, by the way), and 'Ready to Die'. The hits weren't my favourite songs, but in general the album held up nicely throughout the whole record with barely any real low points (apart from the sex skits which feels a bit too juvenile). All in all, cool record, 4 stars it is!

I was ready to hate this. Here's why: 1. The Omnipresence of Bad Boy Acts in the 90s, the glossy videos, and general, undefined loathing of Diddy--ho ho go hee hee hee. 2. The Westside is the best side. Years later, when the media created East vs. West Rap War had a body count and the pernicious, historical gangsterism of the Music Business has been laid bare, and listening with ears removed from those days and it's static, I dug this record quite a lot. Great beats, good instruments, and thoroughly inventive lyrics delivered with confidence and grace in human/not capitalist concerns. People love the ostentation; I love people coming true.

Not The best of biggie

Love me some biggie. De interludesene kan han drite i tho

Great production. Not really my taste but I can appreciate it. Wouldn't listen again.

Biggie commands your attention so much, it's such a nice rap album that isn't just comfortable staying in the background, but at the same time, it has a great ambience and atmosphere, just louder, like a charismatic friend constantly talking to you

Such a strong A-side, excluding the intro and the skit. All the tracks up to and including "Juicy" are violent, melancholy, and yet also fun and celebratory. Weary criminal undertakings but with fun wordplay in a party song package about finally making it as a wealthy and famous rapper. The B-side is less strong but still consistently solid all the way through. Biggie Smalls was a great rapper who set a tight, multifaceted tone of knowing relief and good times amidst violent chaos. 4.2 rounded down.

Again, another album I wasn't really expecting to enjoy, but did. My first exposure to sampling used across an entire album that really added to it was Paul's Boutique by The Beastie Boys. This album had that feel. It was at times a little repetitive, but stuff would still surprise me.

Great album. Total surprise.

Psychopathic Phunk

It's been a long time since I listened to this album. I'm not sure if it's the nostalgia or not, but the music and rap are still very solid. I would have rated it higher but the length created by skit elements. The voiceover skit and referential track sound to start or end a track doesn't appeal to me now and it didn't when this came out.

Somehow I've never listened to this whole album. It's certainly aged a lot, but it is still great. 3.75 stars.

Seminal gangster material. Shame it didn't work out too well for this talented individual.

Im not a rap enjoyer but this was really good 4

Dat Amang goed kan rijmen vind ik knap, maar zijn timing is waarom hij voor mij de beste rapper ooit is. Niet alleen qua rap, maar ook qua muziek is dit album deel van de bakermat van hip hop en daardoor voor altijd legendarisch natuurlijk. Die baslijn van juicy blijft altijd onweerstaanbaar, wel jmmr dat het een sample is, net als veel andere kruidige beats van hem. Wat ik het leukste aan hem vind is dat je aan z’n stem kan horen dat hij tonnetje rond is

Goed

Biggie was certainly a generational talent—his flow, his wordplay, his attitude, his storytelling, all just awesome. Anything he set out to do on this album, he succeeded in doing. What knocks it down from 5 stars to 4 is some of the skits. Not all were bad, but I’ll never forgive Puffy for making me listen to the 30 straight seconds of wetness at the end of “Respect.”

few songs I new but most were new. Other than the slop noises in the interludes just a solid old hip hop album

Some great songs, production and use of samples. Enjoyable listen even if personally struggled with the language and misogyny.

I wasn't sure if this would be my thing but mannnn... the deeper into the album i got the more i enjoyed it. could do without the sex skits tbh but other than that it's a vibe all the way through

Iconic hip hop album, some of Biggie's biggest singles, such an interesting album to listen.

Great album, classic tracks, B.I.G had a great voice.

7,1

3,8/5

I guess he was a prophet. Some of his hooks are soooo good. "If you don't know, now you know" is a favorite phrase of mine. On the whole though . . . pretty dated.

World class! The interludes were great, but definitely not safe for work. There are a lot of great tracks with fresh beats in the back half that I had never heard before.

Not really for me, but I guess that’s the whole point. All in all it was great.

Weirdly prophetic title. Still a solid album. Very funky.

The misogynism was bad then and it's jarring now. The skits are cringe as hell. The threats of violence are eye roll inducing. But the music is great, the flow is great, the production is great. A snapshot in time.

bangin, hypy

It's a shame biggie was stolen from us so young. Such an immense talent with amazing flow. One of the greats and this debut is so killer. RIP

Trim a little off and you have an amazing record

I’m not a huge rap fan, but Biggie’s rhymes and flow are impeccable.

Ensimmäinen kerta, kun kuuntelen tämän ison kaverin levyn kokonaisuudessaan. Seurauksena jonkin asteinen "revelation" - sanojen käyttö ja ääntelyn esteettiikka kantavat koko 1h 16min ajan. Biiteissä turvaudutaan, luojan kiitos, suhteelliseen minimalistiseen kaavaan: yksinkertainen komppi + pari melodista elementtiä. OK, hitit Juicy ja Big Poppa ovat minulle liian letkeitä, ja levy kaipaisi vielä paria Gimme the Loot -tyyppistä mantraa. Mutta harvoin kukaan artisti kykenee yhdistämään yhtä tasaisen laadun tällaiseen skaalaan aitoja tunnereaktioita. Artistin suhde seksiin on vulgaari muttei brutaali, ja Suicidal Thoughts ON lakonisen mietityttävä.

Genre defining tbh. Could use maybe one less skit of biggie nutting in my ear tho maybe

Definitly feels like a classic rap album. I like when there are voicemails in a rap album. Classic gangsta rap. I felt like I had the idea of Biggie, but wouldn't have gone deep into him without this list. Juicy is a hit for sure.

Quick thoughts: absolutely love the beats and the flow. But the content of the lyrics got so repetitive I zoned out. He was a master at rapping and the style of writing is exceptional. But there is only so much repetitive talk of violence and sex I can listen to until it becomes sonic wallpaper. Bumped up to four stars because of the exceptional hits on the album.

I can see why it is a solid entry for the top albums of all time. Its so easy to listen to and pick apart all the elements of the work, it has stages and chapters, flow and content. Its listenable. Its also rap, not really my thing. I could easily, however, go and listen to it more. I think I will give it a go later on. (later on - I have listened to it again, it is listenable) Going an unusual 4 stars here. I think its got something. It surprises me that I found it so good.

Awesomely fat 90s hip hop beats. Big Poppa is an anthem.

Haunting at times. I was in college when this came out and the whole Biggie situation played out. I never got into the whole story. I just liked the album. A solid listen.

Near perfect album. The beats and flows completely slap. A couple of songs on the album seem to slack off compared to the rest. The repetitive content across the tracks keep this album stuck in its own time, even though the beats and lyrical delivery have aged wonderfully.

Biggie's flow and timbre are truly otherworldly. I'm blown away every time I hear "Gimme the Loot". I respect some people's reservations about this one, and it's certainly not my place to determine what is or isn't misogynistic, but in my opinion I don't hear some of the more "questionable" lyrics on as glorifications of said behavior. And regardless of whatever passages haven't aged well, so many other themes of this record still resonate deeply today. I can do without some of the skits and it runs a bit long for me, but I'm pretty good with it overall. 3.5/5

don't like the sex interlude

Really good. But depressing and now I know where all the good beats came from.

One of the earliest progressors of hip-hop

Some amazing talent on display here, dragged down by your standard rap misogyny.

Way more theatrical than expected

Not a big rap fan but that shit is dope.

This album is wild. Enjoyed it more than I expected

Yeah pretty much

BL: Biggie is a character I’m mostly aware of by name alone. Aware of the hits and aware of his influence, but don’t really know much about him beyond being imperative to the 90s hip hop scene AL: A good album. Definitely a bit too long in my eyes for the scope it’s trying to encompass (I suppose people revel in it’s length knowing it’s the only album he’d produce whilst alive) and the lyrical cuts definitely vary in value. There are some very powerful and insightful mentions of classism, poverty and the cycle of oppression that affects African-Americans, however a lot of this was overshadowed by derogatory talk of women. While this is often a cornerstone of 90s rap, as it was part of the culture of that scene at the time, to include these things in the lyrical content it has led to it aging rather poorly. However I believe Biggie is trying to highlight the grime and the underbelly of that life and the world in that project, he’s often speaking in a way which narrates both his stories but the stories of those around him. Which does come off genuine, you truly believe everything he’s saying and he is an amazing storyteller - so while it is certainly dated it is indisputably authentic. FT: “Things Done Changed”, “Ready To Die”, “Juicy”, “Big Poppa” 4/5

Interessant!

Very good, too many sex interludes

It's a classic for a reason, yes the themes are a little tired and the sex skits are...a bit much but the beats and the rapping are amazing. A really strong 8/10

The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Ready to Die," released in 1994, is a seminal work in hip-hop that reflects the harsh realities of life in Brooklyn. Biggie's intricate storytelling and masterful flow are evident in tracks like "Juicy" and "Big Poppa." However, the album's explicit and often violent themes make it somewhat inaccessible to certain audiences. Yet, its importance in the evolution of rap cannot be overstated. "Ready to Die" is a gritty, unflinching portrayal of street life, providing crucial insights into the struggles of its time. While challenging, its significance in hip-hop's history earns it a solid 4/5 for its impact and storytelling prowess.

Really enjoyed this album. Haven’t cover to covered this album before but I really enjoyed it! Had a bunch of songs that I had not heard before and really enjoyed them. Will work a few of them into standard rotation. Machine Gun Funk, Juicy and Things Done Changed were faves.

I really enjoyed this album it was very nice and relaxing

The more chill beats are the best parts, eg Machine Gun Funk and Warning. One More Chance goes hard, raunchy lyrics but the beat is smooth. Effortless flow but too much filler to be ***** and lose the skits.

This is by far the best rap album I've been presented with so far. I'm not a massive rap fan but it's clear to see that Biggie really had talent. Class, maybe not so much, but talent for sure. I enjoyed this album, and would not be upset to hear it again. I still don't get the skits, though.

Nice, old school rap. Tof om te horen dat hij in dit album aan het reflecteren is over zn voorgaande leven in armoede. Neuk geluiden tussendoor waren ff wennen

He be fuckingggg

hes a big boy he is bonified

Couldn't listen to most of the album due to blacked out on spotify. Most available songs were the radio songs

stop having sex

4.5

I do enjoy classic hiphop.

I had no idea this would be a concept album and so autobiographical! While the subject matter was quite graphic and there was profuse swearing and sexual themes, Biggie painted a vivid picture of his life through clever rhymes, beats, and bass lines. It was executed flawlessly and it gets a 4 even though I wouldn't necessarily listen to it again.

Gimme the Loot // One More Chance // Juicy // Big Poppa // Suicidal Thoughts

Well the skits… but the flow and delivery will remain for ages. OG.

Dude sounds depressed, recognized most of the songs from how popular they are.

Great rap, amazing skills, untouchable flow from Biggie. And that's it, that's true power of this album. Have to agree that skits are sometimes awful and production in nowadays album is far more sophisticated but I can imagine that back to the 90's that was out of this world.

On a technical level it's probably the greatest hip hop album of all time. That flow, those rhymes, the story telling. It's all incredible. But this is a hard listen. Gangster rap is so bleak and the rough edges are rough indeed. Not something I can listen to frequently anymore. The skits are also gross and cringe inducing. Glad that trend has mostly died (finally) on new albums.

I really enjoyed this. A cornerstone of rap.

Just holds up. Very good rap about hard living. Can see how it inspired generations

Overwhelming. A textbook of the foundations of hip hop and all the historical structural inequalities and hard realities of modern life. It demands your full attention to such a degree I can't do anything else when it's on but just listen. It's almost too much. Like having a brick dropped on your ear of emotion, style, and straight power. RIP BIG

GOAT

It's a badass album and one I really enjoy listening to because it basically never gets old. I like the humorous interludes particularly on the skit where the red dots are on the dudes heads and on "Fuck Me" which is pretty hilarious. The huge hits like Big Poppa are the closest to being worn out as they have been played so much. It's an original sounds that manages to be enjoyable because the samples on tracks like "respect" (informer) and the overall sprinkles of humor offsets some of the brutal language. The album slips on Friend of Mine and Unbelievable and really trails off for the remainder of the album..But the beginning 14 tracks are solid. Always will be a classic.

We listened to 50 Cent a week before “Ready to Die.” They were released just over 8 years apart. But the genre fell so far in those 8 years. Biggie and 50 have similar legit bonafides to make them legit “gangsta” rappers. But somehow the comparison to Biggie makes 50 sound like a poseur. Too much effort was made to make 50 seem hard. Especially since at the point in his life when he “made” it, his life had settled down. But Biggie felt like he went straight from the streets to stardom, and his music feels real and lived. It feels natural and honest. Biggie, Tupac, and Snoop launched rap to new heights, but their success also turned it into a commercial machine cranking out subpar lyricists with subpar flows just chasing a payday. There are still problematic glorifications of violence and objectification of women (“Me & My B****” is my least favorite track), but overall “Ready to Die” is one of the best mainstream gangsta rap albums of all time. It’s too bad that the classic sampling and scratching and horns found here would soon give way to some pretty bland production, annoying trap beats made on a laptop, and obnoxious auto-tuning.

3.5 stars. I am bumping this up to a 4 because I gave Tupac a 4 and I don't want to further this east-west rivalry. Both artists were very talented and came across as genuine, often brutally so.

suicidal thoughts > other hip hop

GOOD STUDF

Great album, I wish that there was a cut of it without any skits.

Classic

Yeah this is a very good hip-hop album IMO. You can see why he's one of the GOATs, dude could rap, a lot of bangers on here.

Solid album. Not really my style of music, but I enjoy his delivery. I was told that music would be different if Biggie was still around. It was a bit long. I don't need an hour of anything. Trim it down. Less, more impactful songs is better to me.

Classic

It’s a great album and at the forefront of it is biggie’s vocals. His flow and delivery. The beats tbh leave a bit to be desired as a whole but it’s a ‘94 album, so I guess the production was at par with the landscape at that time. Biggie sounds unapologetic and raw on most of the tracks here. He shows bravado and ambition but also the struggle and stress of a gangsters life. I love everyday struggle and suicidal thoughts. The openers things done changed and gimme the loot are fantastic as well. Who shot ya is another favourite. Juicy is not clicking with me for some reason. Overall, it’s a great album.

Strong album from a legend of his time. I will not this is the pinnacle of music but what this album brings is gangbanging real-world vibes that you can't replicate without real-world experience. Biggie captures a time and place with his music that feels authentic and does it with class through his lyrical wordplay.

对于那个稍显远离当下的年代、地区以及特别的音乐类型，我的印象主要来自2 Pac，对外界普遍评价的作为其“敌对者”、实际也有着复杂关系的the Notorious B. I. G. 反而没什么了解。 头一次听到这种形式的intro。虽然可能只是无心之举或技术限制下的产物，但很显然，这样的形式在今天听起来非常独特。One More Chance第二段主歌的女声采样使用另一种调性，与原曲调性并置的做法在流行音乐中并不多见，有新意。据说Juicy的歌词是BIG听过音乐几遍后就即兴出的，对后来说唱音乐的发展也具有巨大影响。 这几乎是一张愤怒的专辑，无论唱词、腔调，还是穿插其中的枪声、呕吐声，都勾起一种本不存在于我脑海中的记忆。这种记忆燥热、潮湿，还脏兮兮的，但其中传达的精神则不同，那是萦绕在大多数人心中的焦虑、迷茫：“All the niggas‘ in the struggle”, all the humanbeing‘s in the struggle.

Always thought this was a little too long, but an undeniable classic either way. RIP BIG. *Heard before

4.25

Yeah good stuff

East coast vinnur West coast í þessari umferð. BIG geggjaður rappari og rímari. Now I'm in the limelight 'cause I rhyme tight Time to get paid, blow up like the World Trade Born sinner, the opposite of a winner Remember when I used to eat sardines for dinner. En líkt og Chronic verður þetta dáldið leiðigjarnt til lengdar og þessu fáranlegu innslögum á milli algjörlega ofaukið.

Quite notorious.

rapman rap good! His lyrics are all very interesting even if he's rapping about the usual gansta rap stuff! His flows are probably the best part of this album!

Fantastic album. Really tight production. Biggie has a ton of charisma that makes you engaged the whole time. HIs lyrics paint a vivid picture in your mind's eye. Fav song: Suicidal Thoughts.

Realmente se agradece cuando alguien rapea fluidamente como biggie. Con rimas fluidas, no necesariamente lento pero con la velocidad necesitaría para entender todo lo que se dice. Excelente flow, directo y simple, raps que dan gusto. Aunque sobrecargado de canciones, tiene un buen arsenal este disco, con tracks como gimme the loot, ready to die y respect que llevan un feeling lento pero potente. Más allá de los dos hits del disco (juicy y big poppa) the what es un temazo especialmente como se conjugan tan bien vivir con method man. Aunque polémico se agradece también un poco de ruido como who shot ya?. Hitazo: Big poppa Canción favorita: The what

This album was huge when I was younger. Everyone had it. "Juicy", "Big Poppa" and "One More Chance" were big singles. Overall, great beats, Biggy was one of the best rappers there's ever been. As for the lyrics, they haven't aged well. Gangsta rap has fallen put of favor. Much of this album is gang violence and drug dealing, as well as the misogyny throughout many of the songs. The track "who shot ya" may have been about Tupac Shakur, and could have ultimately lead to Biggy's murder. Also none of the skits are necessary, and are really explicit. As a rap album, none match this but the content doesn't hold up.

Relaxed flow but heavy lyrics A lot more gangsta than I thought.

I can only listen to so many swear words in one day, but I can see the appeal.

Time capsule back to the 90s

Classic, excellent, wow

Nobody does it quite like biggie. Love all the songs here but there’s too many interludes to be a full 5. Favorite songs: Warning Juicy Big Poppa Suicidal thoughts Who shot ya

Awesome

Fav: Big Poppa LF: Fuck Me (Interlude) It's a classic for sure, not amqzing imo and a little too long, but amazing nonetheless. Mid 8

It had some really good songs about the struggle the narrator went through. The album was a little long and could have been cut down a bit

This was a relisten. Still great lyrically and production-wise, but man the skits are a lot.

Classic album, no skips (except the sex cutscenes)

Not sure I've ever properly listened to Biggie before.... Firstly, we get it, you've had sex. Secondly, as I've said before, the misogyny and violence is generally tiring in rap. The stuff in-between tracks detracts from it.... Now that's out of the way... His flow is something else, not sure I can think of better. It's not that it's lyrically complex, it isn't mostly, he just makes telling a story sound so good and effortless. The beats are great too. Highlights: Things done changed Ready to die Everyday struggle Suicidal thoughts Unfortunately, I don't think it's aged well and it's just a bit too gangsta for my liking, but some of it is so good regardless. Probably would've given it a 5 without the gangsta tropes. Evidently, he was rapping about his life, but I can't relate Still a high 3.5, I never need to hear a lot of it again, but will definitely be adding the above tracks to my playlist. Was just looking who the other rapper was on gimme the loot, and it's also Biggie, which is impressive.

Classic.

Oh my virgin ears! While I found some of the lyrics to be unnecessarily descriptive I found the beats and flow to be delightful. I imagine this is a good window into the world Notorious experienced around him. Overall an excellent album

This is not something I need to revisit but I didn’t have a hard time seeing why it is considered great.

It is a masterpiece of a particular era; g-funk with a distinct deep funk bass line and tinny guitar/70s soul sample. Biggie smalls is a lyrical master even if some of his portraits touch on the lowest of misogynistic tropes. It is still worth listening to even now as pure artefact of an era.

It's Biggie....

This guy loved fucking and shooting

I like the story being explored throughout. I appreciate that every song sonically soundscapes different to each other and the lyrics and references are rlly good.

Great

Rating: 4.2

Very good. No song stood out to me a lot but overall enjoyed it

nothing but heat

Great samples

Biggie's rapping is of the best. Always incredible flows, great backing tracks, and always a generally pretty focused theming throughout albums. Lots of stand out tracks here, but I personally think Life After Death holds up just a bit more. Big Poppa, Gimme the Loot, Juicy, Suicidal Thoughts, and bangers throughout definitely bring me back to this one, just not as often as others.

Really close to being a 5 but respect is pants

Classic. Forgot how great Biggy’s rhymes and flow were. And Juicy is still a banger.

Full of great tracks I never heard. Hip hop classic. The rhymes are incredible. Not perfect because of the stupid skits, gratuitous sex, and Puff Daddy’s failure to shut up.

possibly the most iconic and era defining album of all time? incredible. apart from being too long and some weird ass interludes. you know the one. fav songs: gimme the loot, ready to die, one more chance, unbelievable, suicidal thoughts.

🐐

Hadn’t listened to this all the way through before but it was amazing. Some weird shit in there but it he music is all great

This was B.I.G.'s debut album?! Create way to make an entrance if you ask me. Juicy is one of those hip hop songs I always come back to. Wearing headphones felt like a good idea until we got to the foley blowjob, that was a little too much for me.

Good hip hop album. Enjoyed listening to it but more of a 2Pac fan. Definitely one to listen to again

One of my favorite albums!! My favorite rap album for sure.

Enjoyed this overall. Many tracks I have heard before but never in the succession of the full (greyed out) album. Biggie's delivery is so good.

One of the greatest rappers of all time, even though he only really has two albums. Love the beats and instrumentals on this album and of course Biggie is the main event. Juicy and Big Poppa are absolute classics. I'm docking a star though for the explicit sex content - call me a prude but when I'm listening to my gangster rap while I do audit-related work I'd rather not hear Biggie getting his dick sucked.

Can’t beat Biggie’s flow. Rhyming multiple words within a sentence. Legend

Wow that was intense. There were some incredible songs and the creativity and production was excellent, but man that was violent. 8/10.

This album has the best Rhythms of just about any RAP album. It’s also a classic. I don’t listen to this Genre, but even I admit it’s goooood.

This is my first time listening to a Notorious Big album. With my limited prior knowledge, this sounds very much gangster rap. I think the album is good up to "Big Poppa". After that, I feel like the album's songs start to slow like they're not as good as the prior songs. Except "Suicidal Thoughts", that songs feels eerily disturbing. After reading the Wikipedia article on Biggie, I wonder if this album was based on his real life.

OK, I quite liked it.

Biggie never appealed to me the way other hip hop of the 90s did, and I thought it was ridiculous when people said he was assassinated. I was like, well he's an admitted criminal and drug dealer in his lyrics, why is anyone surprised when violent people meet violent ends? Anyway, listening to the whole album today, I can see the appeal that eluded me in the 90s. Its a good album. 4/5

Great album. The highlights are really good and the regular songs are still really great and Biggie's flow is amazing.

Great album. Little Simz is a technically accomplished rapper but it is the producer Inflo who really makes this stand out. Little Simz raps like it was the year 2000, and she explicitly references Jay-Z in the first track in the best line of the album. It somehow feels fresh with the old school It’s obvious she is a fan of the turn of the century New York hip hop. The lyrics are alright but not interesting enough for five stars. The production by Inflo though is definitely five stars. Dynamic, organic and banging.

4.25

Effortless flow, sticky production, incredible rhyme schemes. The album runs a thick 76 minutes but never really gets old, which is a feat for me particularly with a hip-hop record. The sinister, braggadocious vibe is fantastically well-realised The only real complaint is the pretty rampant and graphic misogyny - it's pervasive and really limits the enjoyment of a lot of songs. Any mention of sex is so unimpressive, unsexy, and repetitive. And I never want sex skits!! It's gross!! Who are they for??? Fave track: Things Done Changed

A number of good tracks, some excellent rhymes and good beats. The rhymes lacked the finesse of other artists but it was a pleasant listen. The quality felt like it decreased as it got more explicit, turns out the last thing I want is to hear about biggie fuckin. Stand out tracks: gimme the loot, juicy, warning

Big, he was a great rapper great lyricist no I’m not always impressed with the production which seems to favor the music over his rapping… I don’t every case on this album but in some of the cases and surprising in hindsight. But overall great hip-hop album.

Hey!! Diego has a shirt of this picture. I've been actually liking old rap lately. This will be a good one. Good stuff! I'll probably be revisiting this one. A couple songs had some sexy sensual stuff! ;)

I don't know if my opinion is totally skewed by nostalgia....but this album RIPS from start to finish.

Couldn't be less. Not usually the biggest fan of older hip-hop/rap, but pretty good. A little repetitive

DISCAZO!! me encantó y eso que nunca escucho este género pero bárbaro te amamos biggie. 9/10

I really wanna despise this album for the lyrics, but, on the other hand, it's a fascinating time capsule with some great sounds. A weak 4

1. Intro: intro with different snippits of narrative. 2. Things Done Changed: great flow and beat. His voice is nostalgic. 7.5/10 3. Gimme the Loot: again flow and beat are crazy. The change ups are great. 8/10. 4. Machine Gun Funk: banger. 8.5/10 5. Warning: cant say anything else than banger. 8/10. Rest of my ratings were lost. - favorite tracks: gimme the loot and juicy.

i'm really depressed today this was a good album to wallow in :) consider me READY TO DIE (fav tracks: gimme the loot, one more chance, juicy, big poppa)

Pretty fuckin' great.

4/5

Machine Gun Funk Ready To die

Biggie is one of the greatest.

Incredible beats and music. Love the bass. Strong lyrics and lotta catchy songs. No wonder it’s renowned and highly praised. 8.5/10

I haven’t listening to this album front to back since high school. I feel like I enjoyed it even more now. The interludes are a slight detractor for me given that they don’t feel to add much to the album. Otherwise a phenomenal album

Wished I had read the context of this album before diving in. Listened to the first half with only one earbud as I rode my mountain bike. Then the second on the speakers as I drew on my ipad. Some classic bangers and amazing lyrics for sure. But the misogyny is hard to listen to. It's a pretty dark/negative low vibe album overall. But I love the way Biggie raps. Will probably give it one more close listen.

First listen, very fun album. My loss for coming to it so late.

Incredibly produced. Ultra-violent. Art imitates life imitates art.

Like most rap albums as time goes on it gets boring no matter how good the songs are because there’s just too many tracks. I liked it though 4/5.

Biggie had such a unique voice. His flow is unmatched, and the backing tracks groove. Really enjoyable listen. This is the first one in a while that I felt truly belongs on this list.

Deep roots of a whole lot of modern hip hop here. As with Tupac though, it's hard to separate the music from the senseless and unnecessary young death. The nihilistic shadings of a lot of the lyrics a bit too prescient.

A good classic rap album. Some amazing beats and lyricism in this one. Some strange songs and interludes sprinkled in though. There's a rare glimpse at a rapper's vulnerabilities in "Suicidal Thoughts" and I thought that was a pretty powerful piece. Some good flow and storytelling for sure, and I can really see why Biggie's assassination shook the world of hip hop so hard. Honestly there's not all that much here that I'd personally come back to, besides the classics like Juicy and Big Poppa, but there's no doubt that this belongs on the list. Favourite: Juicy

Onhan tää tosi kova. Melodista ja funkahtavaa ollakseen itärannalta. Ja biggien räbäily on tietty aika mint. Harmi, kun skitit on niin typeriä, mutta onneksi niitä on vähän.

Some classic tracks.

classic one

Yeah nice album, a little bit underwhelmed. But the flows and production were really nice. Just not fully my style. solid 4.4 out of 10.

Ooh I love a concept album and this one which represents Biggie's life from birth to death while he is still alive is very appealing. This is obviously a huge influential giant in hip hop showcasing Biggie's unique rap style which is memorable clear and catchy. I love him as an artist and a rapper and this is a pinnacle of his short snapshot in time of fame as he was murdered shortly after his second album was released. Biggie's music is a window into a world I will probably never fully understand, a grim life of crime and hardship but also the contrast of debauchery and celebration. So I find it very fascinating, I also love the grim topics being slotted into this up-beat catchy music. It's a very honest and raw account of an extreme life. Fascinating, impressive, exciting and interesting. I also love this work with insane amounts of samples, it's very cool! Almost like a musical version of a collage which you draw/paint your own work over and between. I don't mind for once about how long this album is because it's the amazing story-telling skills which keep even me hooked somehow for over an hour.

I really enjoyed this - its true that Biggie Smalls has a unique style and cadence to his rapping. Its really fun and easy to listen to. Not sure how I felt about all the sex stuff that was in there, graphic noises etc!! Not to be a prude just feels unnecessary when the rest of the album is so great.

There’s a reason they call him Big Poppa, because daddy delivers every time. I can’t give this a 5, but it feels wrong putting this and Step In the Arena on the same pedestal, because it’s evident they are not. I’ll just repent my sins when I go to hell.

A truly legendary album. It was a bit awkward when someone walked past my room and Fuck Me (Interlude) was playing. I got weird looks. I also had a raging boner which made the interaction even more awkward. For that, 4 stars.

Excited to see if my middle school self that listened to two songs of PAC and two songs of biggie before deciding that biggie is better was correct... Yeah he was. This made me appreciate Diddy a shit ton more tbh. Found the beginning to be eh at first but the bottom like 80% of the album was great. Gimme a half star dammit, 4.5 prolly? Idk what a 5 is for me tbh, unsure if I'm giving it that half star for the album's significance or because I like songs about slanging dick that have sex noises

Still hits hard, the lyrics, the samples, classic

Second half of this album goes absolutely insane.

Probablemente uno de los discos más influyentes de los 90.

Brilliant, funny, fresh, hard, cool, well pitched 90s heydey hip hop. Musically sophisticated, lyrically smart, thematically so stupid in a light life affirming way. Not lamely political, not gratuitous, not egotistical, simply clever. Biggy absolutely shits on Tupac. This album is very good

Another hip-hop classic that matt will hate and or not listen to. The skits do bring this down a star but no denying Biggie had one of the best flows and deliveries of any rapper living or dead.

I really like his flow, the samples are great.

East coast nihilism stands in sharp contrast to Pac's west coast existentialism.

Hard to believe it's nearly 30 years old because the production, flow and storytelling is better than 99% of anything that followed it.

I really enjoyed the vibe overall, at first I was scared because the album is 1h long but it turns out that even though the prods are boom bap they manage to keep being interesting. A couple of skips but overall I had a really really good time listening to it. Several classics like "big poppa" and "give me the loot" and I really enjoyed the groove of "Friend of Mine". I think I really like biggie, and he really likes sex. Solid 4.25 / 5

Incredible tracks in the album... Incredible lyricism and and really top notch listening experience. Weird skits.... Some forgettable songs and some good yet not perfect feats make it a solid 4/5... But I thought I would put more

Last thing I felt like today was some epic hardcore hip-hop cd, so I wasn’t really looking forward to this. But whaddya know - this is a classic. I don’t know how he pulls that off, but he does. It’s in the music, the beats, the samples but most of all his words. What a storyteller. The first 3 trax knocked me out - Intro, Things Done Changed & Gimme The Loot. Much to my surprise, it never gets boring. Absolute highlight for me is Diana King’s vocals on the reggae-influenced Respect. You do get a bit sick of “bitches” & “motherfuckers”, over & over, but this is the context for it, I suppose. I love Randy Newman’s summary - one of the best records ever made…the first cut says “Let’s stop killing each other”- and then the rest of the record is all about people killing each other! It’s the damnedest thing.”

Great starter album for the legend biggie smalls.

Solid

Rough and unwavering in its lyrics and skits. A classic that represents hiphop at its peak. Great beats and great flow

Entretenido, explícito 🤐😳🙊

Looking around then nodding my head

Bombastic and proud, with production ahead of its time and great bars. Classic

4.5/5

Never listened to this whole album. Biggie is masterful, and the trick on Gimme The Loot of Biggie rapping with himself as two different characters is inspired. The production still holds up, but the skits are pretty dire and definitely skippable. I don't know enough about hip hop to know why skits are such a staple on albums, but this would be much better served by cutting them down and making this a leaner and much more hard-hitting album.

Except for the frequent mention of pagers, this feels like it could have been released any time in the last 30 years. It doesn't sound dated, though several of the lyrics perhaps are.

.

There are some really good songs on this album. Juicy and Big Poppa are the best songs. The sole reason this is not a 5 is because it was 72 minutes long and that felt like it should have ended earlier.

Notorious is Notorious for a reason.

Amazing, not the biggest fan of the whole women treatment

Grimy, Hip Hop, Gangsta, Boastful, Crime, Philosophical

Lyrical skill shines through some dodgy content, typical of the time making this one of the more digestable rap albums I've come across on this thing...I grew up loving rap, bit time has not been kind to some of its obsessions and attitudes. What once sounded like rebellion and romanticised streetwise, sometimes blurs into being a bit of an arsehole with few redeemable qualities. Biggie at least owns his shittiness, with one track making it clear he knew he was headed to hell. Despite all his misogyny, a liveability shines through that suggests a bit more is going on, his seemingly prescient awareness of his own mortality reveal insecurity behind the bravado. Behind all this the backing tracks are a rich treat to be explored.

On par med public enemy fast annan vibe, bättre än Tupac, synd att alla låtar inte kunde spelas på Spotify...

First time after all these years I actually listened to Biggie. Entertaining? yes. But harrowing, too. A guy talking about living with so much violence, with so much bravado, but still a tremendous feeling of worthlessness and self-loathing. A tough listen but a great one too.

Just a classic! From the intro skit time lapsing his growth to the themes carried through to his fictional death that leads into all that carried out in the real world, this is a powerful album from a powerful MC. No one can top his flow. RIP Biggie!

Very familiar with this album was a ex gf's favorite so interesting to hear it 20 years on

Some all timers on here. Like most 90s rap albums I could go without the skits. Also feel like all the remixes and mashups I’ve heard have kinda ruined some of these songs for me.

Biggie

5 minutes in and no rapping yet. Is this a hip-hop album or a vaudeville play set in the projects? Would’ve been a masterpiece without all the talking.

There is something about 90s rap that stands out from modern rap. Suck a good album.

Straightforward, down to earth, and fragile. Literally B.I.G. in every sense of the word. This IS gansta rap.

Very varied. Has content.

Amazing journey through birth through death

dood. this album was good but like. stop having sex and getting blow jobs in the middle of your songs. this guy is obviously dripping with talent though. really enjoyed this album.

4.5

Some absolutely timeless stuff on here. Keeping as a 4 cause im reserving 5s for new or all time favorites of MINE, that said, this could easily be a 5

Coming as it did after my highschool pivot to metal, missed this on release. Pretty good overall, though the sexual stuff is over the top for an old man.

Misogynistic and violent, but such is the way of the streets. The death obsession is appropriate. Good record.

Add it to the list of firsts

Very good, not my favorite 90s hip hop, but it's very classic 👍

I listened to some of it and it sounds great

Sex, Drugs and Music. Represents the life of a large group of people during that time which, I think, is why it resonated so we'll with the rap community. The tunes are west coast style, fairly repetitive but easy to groove with. Lyrics hit a sweet spot.

I like this one more than most rap albums of the same time. Still not totally my music, but have to respect the production and lyrics.

Genre: East Coast Hip Hop 4/5 Three years before his untimely murder, Christopher Wallace, better known as The Notorious B.I.G., released one of the best rap records to ever come out of the state of New York. Ready to Die, Biggie's only album he released before he was shot and killed, is an absolute blast. A perfect mixture of lyrical prowess, crass humor, and boom-bap beats, Biggie took hip hop to exciting new places with this one. Familiar themes of cultural divisions, drug dealing, and violence intermingle with themes of introspection and suicide, with the album beginning with a hearbeat fading in and ending with a heartbeat fading away. It serves as a grim foreshadowing beyond anything Biggie does in this project, and also as a reminder to everybody listening that life is too short and too precious. The two major hits on this album, Juicy and Big Poppa, don't make their way to us until about halfway through the album. Before we're met with the familiar, tracks like Gimme the Loot, One More Chance, and the title track Ready to Die, give us perfect glimpses into the early childhood and adult life of Biggie Smalls. Eloquent verses flow over the hottest new instrumentals the streets had to offer, with driving rhythms and loud, active percussion. Once the two mega-singles make their way to us, their impact is magnified with how magnificently they fit within the tracklist, elevating these already well-known tracks to new heights. While the 77-minute runtime may not have been necessary (even the pre-remaster's 69-minute runtime is pretty long), and while the sex skits are quite dated and a little uncomfortable, everyone involved finds new and interesting ways to keep the narrative flow going, and Biggie's artistic statement here is one of the biggest and boldest of the decade. Great record.

juicy

One of the greatest of all time, nimble word play, erotic lyrics and a unmatched charisma. My favs were Juicy and Big poppa. Only reason it’s not a 5 is because it’s seems they are better bars than actual songs, and also sex interludes?

The beats, flow and storytelling on this are exceptional. The misogyny and puerile attitude to sex is a little harder to swallow, if not particularly unexpected. Loved the flow on Gimme The Loot, the guest vocal by Method Man on The What and the honesty on Suicidal Thoughts.

An excellent album

Just great. I was really amazed (7/10) FT: Juicy, Respect, Big Poppa

It was really interesting listening to this- it's another world and I'm glad to be living in a (relatively) safe boring suburb. The swearing and sex references kinda add to the whole impression. It's an eye-opener. The biggest tracks are R&B raps and are ok but I like the bits at the beginning- like uncut rough bits. Whatever you think of him as a human being he was a gifted storyteller.

veisla

brabo

so good obviously

Things Done Changed is a song for history books. Gimme The Loot is a rad song. Biggie's flow was very beat and rhythm focused. There is a great sense of where a word falls in relation to the beat and he can choose where on it he falls. His story telling is crystal clear, though I don't really find the story he's telling all that interesting halfway through. Method Man's appearance on The What is killer. Juicy is a stellar track. Everyday Struggle starts to show the cracks in the character of Biggie, which is the drama his story telling. It's just not interesting to listen to someone tell a story about how great he is at sex or whatever, see One More Chance. There is no tension, no struggle. It becomes more of an advertisement than a story. Big Poppa is a huge single. Friend Of Mine is kind of a trash song. Suicidal Thoughts is the fall of a titan, and is the only proper way to end this album.

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