I remember back in 1997 when this album was released, the whole hip hop scene seemed like all out war... Biggie had lifted the vacant King of New York crown back in 94 with his killer debut 'Ready To Die', but got killed on the streets of Cali weeks before this follow up album was released. Life After shows Biggie's growth as an artist and man. The storytelling is very cinematic and compelling. This is really a movie on wax for real. The paranoia is also raised on here and for good reason since Biggie spent 1996 fending off Pac's accusations and insults. In short, Biggie was a naturally gifted, personable, smart dude that's greatly missed.
Disc one
1. Intro
Good intro that picks up right where "Ready To Die" left off (literally).
2. Somebody Gotta Die
My favorite song. This is Biggie at his storytelling best. He creates a vivid story of revenge and he lays out some amazing lyrics over this haunting beat. "Revenge I'm tastin at the tip of my lips. I can't wait to feel my clip in his hips." 10/10
3. Hypnotize
I hate this song. 3/10
4. Kick In The Door
Great song with some really tight lyrics from BIG. He's got some classic rhymes over this great beat by DJ Premier after a pretty funny skit with the Madd Rapper. "Ain't no other kings in this rap thing. They siblings, nothing but my chil'ren. One shot, they disappearin." 10/10
5. #!*@ You Tonight
Pretty nice song with R.Kelly for the ladies. Big's got some nice rhymes and it's got a good beat. Incredibly raunchy. 7/10
6. Last Day
Pretty hot song produced by Havoc. It features LOX and they all tear up their verses as does Biggie. "You still apologizing, analyzing, my size and your size and realizing, a fist fight would be asinine" 9/10
7. I Love The Dough
A little too poppy. I think of it as the sequel to "Brooklyn's Finest" on "Reasonable Doubt". Again, both Biggie and Jay-Z produce some great lyrics. "You ain't fazing the amazing. While your gun's raising, mine is blazing." 8/10
8. What's Beef?
Good song over a pretty catchy beat with a lot of strings. Puffy gets annoying but Biggie's got some more great, slow rhymes. It also contains one of the most fucked up lines in the history of rap. (Well besides that ONE song by DMX) 9/10
9. B.I.G. Interlude
Nothing special or notable other than that it's produced by The Notorious B.I.G. He just spells out his name.
10. Mo Money Mo Problems
Very catchy beat but it got overplayed. Still, Ma$e provides a nice verse as does Big. Puffy is OK. "Me lose my touch? Never that. If I did, ain't no problem to get the gat." 8/10
11. N****s Bleed
Another great song in which BIG tells a gripping story. It's got a great, dark beat. By the end of this song, you feel like you're in that hallway. "Nothing to lose, tattooed around his gun wounds. Everything to gain, embedded in his brain." 10/10
12. I Got A Story To Tell
Funny story BIG tells about what happens when a guy walks into his house where Biggie's with the guy's girl. Afterwards, BIG tells the story again but not in song. 9/10
Disc Two
1. Notorious Thugs
Good song with Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. Shows Biggie's range as he speed raps successfully with Bone Thugs. Catchy hook as well. "Doesn't it seem odd to you? Big come through with mobs and crews." 10/10
2. Miss U
Depressing song that Big sings about friends that have died (mainly about his homey "O"). "I'm a thug, but I swear, for three days I cried. I looked in the sky and ask God why. Can't look his baby girls in the eye." 9/10
3. Another
Pretty weak song featuring Lil Kim. Probably considered filler. Pretty bad techno sounding beat too. 4/10
4. Going Back to Cali
Okay song about Cali. average beat and some great lines by Big. Funny phone conversation between BIG and Puffy at the beginning. "All I got is beef with those that violate me. I shall annihilate thee." 8/10
5. Ten Crack Commandments
Classic song basically about how to be a successful drug dealer. Clever lyrics and delivery. "Don't you know Bad Boys move in silence or violence? Take it from your highness. I done squeezed mad clips at these cats for they bricks and chips." 10/10
6. Playa Hater
Very funny song with BIG singing about how to rob. It's just funny hearing him sing (or at least try). 9/10
7. Nasty Boy
I don't know. I don't think that there's anything really special about this song. The beat's kind of annoying and the song's not a standout by any means. I Cant fuck with this shit. 3/10
8. Sky's The Limit
Great inspirational song by Biggie who basically explains his ascent in the world. It's sad hearing him look forward to his future though. "Only make moves when your heart's in it and live the phrase 'Sky's The Limit'" 9/10
9. The World is Filled
Unnecessary song. Too Short and Puffy make guest appearances but they're not memorable. 7/10
10. My Downfall
Creepy song with BIG talking about people out to get him. Great beat and lyrics and DMC handles the chorus. "Not too many keep a mill in the briefcase. Infrared's help me sleep safe." 10/10
11. Long Kiss Goodnight
Another great, dark song at the end of this album. Some really great rhymes in here over really great beat by RZA (Wu-Tang Clan). "Laugh now cry later, I rhyme greater than the average player haters and spectators." 10/10
12. You're Nobody (Til Somebody Kills You)
Perfect ending for The album even though it's creepy as fuck listening to it. Classic lyrics and great beat by the Hitmen. "As I leave my competition respirator style. Climb the ladder to success escalator style." Crazy line. 10/10
With 2 discs, Life After Death gives the listener a lot of material by Biggie. Some reviewers criticize this as having some weaker stuff and annoying guest appearances, but I think that's just a function of having a bigger album. Some stuff inevitably will not be as good as the rest. And I think the guest appearances are fine. Lil Kim spews off a foul mouth on one track, but that's what she does in her own stuff. Anyway, there's lots of great raps on here. The album's a bit slicker and more produced, lacking some of the edge of Ready to Die, but I think things as a whole work very well. While maybe not quite as awesome, on a song by song basis, as Ready to Die, this album definitely has enough quality material for the an enjoyable listen.
Lyrics: A-
Production: B+
Guest Appearances: C+
Musical Vibes: A-
Overall: B+
Top 5 Favorite Tracks:
1. Somebody's Gotta Die
2. I gotta Story to tell
3. Niggaz Bleed
4. Ten Crack Conmmandments
5. Sky's The Limit
Honorable Mention Tracks:
1. Whats Beef
2. You're Nobody (Till Somebody Kills You)
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