Album Reveiw: The Notorious B.I.G. 'Life After Death"

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)

Nototious B.I.G. "Ready To Die" Album Review

Ready to Die is the debut studio album of American rapper The Notorious B.I.G., released September 13, 1994 on Sean "Diddy" Combs Bad Boy Records as well as the first release of the label. Recording sessions for the album took place from 1993 to 1994 at The Hit Factory and D&D Studios in New York City. The partly autobiographical hardcore hip hop album tells the story of The Notorious B.I.G.'s experiences as a young criminal, referring to himself as "the black Frank White". The record gained strong reviews on release and became a commercial success, reaching quadruple platinum sales. It was significant for revitalizing East Coast hip hop at a time when the genre was mostly dominated by West Coast artists. In 2006, Time magazine named it one of the 100 greatest albums of all time. It was nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance for "Big Poppa" at the 1996 Grammy Awards. It also won 2 Awards at the Billboard Music Awards. Never before had a rapper burst onto the scene quite like Notorious B.I.G. did in 1994. With Ready to Die, Biggie struck a cord nation wide. His amazing delivery, mixed with blunt reality, created an album so solid it put him into the rap stratosphere. His slick approach to hardcore rap, and his massive presence bloat Ready to Die into a rap masterpiece. It stands as one of the greatest rap albums of all time. Lets see if it still holds up. (Hint:Hell Yea)

1. "Intro"
Takes A little too long to start up, but it ends up being a really interesting start to this album. I'm already hooked.

2. "Things Done Changed"
Great Song from Biggie on how much "things really have changed"

3. "Gimmie the loot"
Biggie trades rhymes with a higher pitched version of himself, and the result is a hilarious tale of robbery, and shootouts. My favorite line is "I wouldnt give fuck if you're pregnant/Give me the baby rings and a #1 mom pendant", i like it, cause I'm a sick fuck like dat. (Side Note: I'm note THAT messed up, i just appreciate a good joke.)

4. "Machine Gun Funk"
Not as great as the previous song, but its still one badass song.

5. "Warning"
Very good song about someone planning on taking Biggie out (and not on a date) and with Biggie explaining on how he'll handle them (Hint:It's veeery violent) great song, that leads to an even better song.

6. "Ready To Die"
Biggies magnum opus, i don't give a fuck what ANYONE says, this song kicks ass, from his flow, delivery, rhyme cadence, production, and metaphors, this is one of the best songs on here, and that's saying something.

7. "One More Chance"
I prefer this version, over the version that plays on MTV. This version is also much dirtier, but im a dirty muthfucka so i like it. (im coming off as pissy/distgusting today am I?).

8. "Fuck Me"(Interlude)
Skit that includes Lil Kim and Biggie fucking. I wonder if this was real?....Actually i don't.

9. "The What"
Meth and Big team up, and come out with a great song. I was only 4 when this album came out, but from what i've learned, this song was a pretty big deal back in the day.

10. "Juicy"
The single that catulpulted Big from just a rapper with a buzz, to a rapper with a hit single. This song is a classic, and shows Biggies rise to the top.

11. "Everyday Struggle"
This semi-autobiographical track, shows Biggie, and how much stress is in his life. Great song.

12. "Me and My Bitch"
This shit right here? This the shit!! love this song. great storytelling. it's basicaly a gangsta love story. Love the way this song ends.

13. "Big Poppa"
Used to love this song, but now its just Meh. It doesnt fit with the rest of the album. (I blame Puff)

14. "Respect"
I..Hate..This..Song.

15. "Friend of mine"
I really like this song

16. "Unbeleiveable"
Great DJ Premier beat. Biggie own this song with lines like

"B-i-g, g-i-e, aka, b.i.g.
Get it? biggie
Also known as the bon appetit
Rappers cant sleep need sleepin big keep creepin
Bulelts heat-seekin, casualties need treatin
Dumb rappers need teachin
Lesson a - dont fuck with b-i, thats that, oh i, thought he was wack
Oh come come now, why yall so dumb now
Hunt me or be hunted, three hundred and fifty-seven ways
To summer sautee, Im the winner all day
Lights get dimmer down biggies hallway
My forte causes caucausians to say
He sounds demented, car-weed scented
If I said it, I meant it
Bite my tongue for no-one
Call me evil, or unbelievable"

17. "Suicidal Thoughts"
I got a confession....Track 6 is not his magnum opus THIS IS. (Actually it's a tie)
Great song.

18. "Who shot Ya"(Bonus Track)
Oh yes, the song that started it all (Meaning the west coast feud)
even though its a bonus track, its still top quality. This song is intense.

19. "Just Playing"(Dreams)
Cool song, It's about Biggie fantasizing about fucking his favorite R&B singers. Funny ass song.

What makes Ready to Die so great? It is maybe because it's the most complete rap album ever made, and this being his very first effort, ever! The range of emotion, and depth is astounding. From the freighting display of thievery in "Gimme tha Loot", to the pure pimpery of "Big Poppa", to the Back in the day tale of "Juicy". The album starts strong and ends even stronger. Each track has a story to tell that is intricate, and each track brings out a different emotion. There are absolutely no tracks that could be considered trash. This is something that maybe no other album could claim, not even Life After Death. While there are only a few songs that are mega hits, there are 12-13 that are magnificent rap songs. The album is rich with lively street tales of murder, robbery, and drug dealing, and a rough childhood. But more importantly Biggie plays these themes out as important messages, as he has essentially has "grown up" and in turn cast aside these things, because of his raps. Biggies approach is to tell you about the life he lived, through lyrical storytelling, instead of glorifying the life, he reminisces about his past, a harsh and dangerous past.

Notorious B.I.G. blows up on this album. His talent is extraordinary. He possibly possesses the greatest delivery ever. His smooth flow is remarkable. And his lyrics are blunt and powerful. His flow is maybe his best skill, as he can flow through each line with great speed and still bring emphasis to certain words or phrases. His skills are limitless, from changing speeds, or tone, to rapping hardcore, or smooth. But maybe his greatest attribute is his staggeringly brilliant word play. Biggie meshes unique words like a chemist mixes chemicals. Biggies style is pure and original, and basically just legendary.

Score:100 out of 100

Notorious B.I.G : Juicy

Notorious B.I.G. - Warning