READY TO LIVE: The "Ready To Die" 20th Anniversary Thread

[rapmastermind]

(Biggie climbed the ladder to success escalator style after his debut came out)

"Put the drugs on the shelf, knaw couldn't see it. SCARFACE, KING OF NEW YORK, I wanna BE IT" - RESPECT



*READY TO TAKEOVER: “Juicy” was released on August 8th 1994. The song was an INSTANT Hit burning up the charts and radio not just in New York but all over the country. The single had a sample from the Classic RnB song “Juicy Fruit” by Mtume. It was a rags to riches story about Big’s life from street corners to interviews by the pool. The song felt autobiographical. With Pop Culture references and shout outs to Hip Hop DJ’s and Pioneers. Biggie made a single everyone could enjoy. The Single was a success going Gold and by the time the album was released it had set the streets and the charts on fire.

Within 2 Months the album was Gold, with in 6 months it was Platinum. By 1995 it was multi-Platinum. “Juicy” got the fire started but “Big Poppa” took Biggie even further up the charts. The Overweight Lover anthem with the Classic Isley Brother’s sample set clubs ablaze and took Biggie from a regional New York Underground Act to a Pop Sensation. The song ended being a Top 10 hit for Biggie and went Platinum. It earned Biggie his 1st Grammy nomination. The last single from the album ended up making history. The Remix for “One More Chance” tied Michael and Janet Jackson’s “Scream” as the highest debut for a single in History breaking The Beatles record. The single ended going Platinum and earned Biggie two Billboard Awards for Biggie Rap single and Artist of the year.

(Before Biggie called himself "The Hitchcock of Hip Hop" he proved his storytelling abilities on his debut. His name "Biggie" is from the film "Uptown Saturday Night". His alias KONY is from the film "King of the New York. Biggie loved movies and his art it showed.)

"I know how it feels to wake up f*cked up. Pockets broke as hell another rock to sell. People look at you like you the loser selling drugs to all the users mad buddah abusers" - EVERYDAY STRUGGLE

*READY TO TELL A STORY: What made “Ready To Die” work was the fact it plays out like an audio movie. You could literally “SEE” Biggie’s words in your mind. From the beginning of the album “Intro” Biggie was in Storytelling mode as it starts from his birth. The baby on the album cover actually symbolizes Biggie‘s birth, through his teens up until his prison sentence. As he’s leaving Jail you hear a Snoop Dogg Classic “Da Shizit” playing in the back. As the 1 song “Things Dun Changed” began you hear a sample from “The Chronic” “Lil Ghetto Boy”. It was if Biggie was subconsciously or consciously telling us there’s a New Sherrif in town after the West’s Dominance.

He even ended the Intro with “I got Big Plans”. The album then goes on to give you stories like “Gimmie The Loot”, “Warning” and “Me and My B!tch”. Even on songs that weren’t stories Big always told them in story form. “Everyday Struggle” is a story of the trails and tribulations of the Drug Game. “Respect” Biggie gives us a 3 act story about his life before and after birth. Even “One More Chance” is a story of Biggie’s sexual exploits. The to accent the audio movie concept the album ends with the haunting “Suicidal Thoughts”. You really felt Puffy was terrified on the other line and the “THUMP” at the end accepts that shot himself. “Ready To Die” isn’t just a Classic album cause of the great rhymes, production and songs but because it told a cohesive story. In that story Biggie explained that this lifestyle has two endings. Dead - Suicidal Thoughts or In Jail - The Intro. He gave you a moral lesson that his surroundings made him feel that death would solve his problems cause life was hell on those streets.

"Damn right I like the Life I live, cause I went from Negative to Positive, and it's ALL GOOD" - JUICY

*READY TO INSPIRE: By 1995 Biggie was on top of the world and crowned The King of New York (Which is also his nickname). Touring the globe. Collaborating with rappers from the underground to commercial. To Pop Acts as big as Michael Jackson. “Ready To Die” dominated the charts, airways and the streets. Because of this the album created a new Blueprint for Hip Hop. Biggie made an LP that appealed to not just his boys at the bodega in Brooklyn but also that white kid in the suburbs. The album gave the streets what they wanted but it also gave the clubs something too. What LL did in the 80’s and early 90’s. Biggie took it to another level. His success lead to bringing out his crew Junior Mafia which lead to discovery of one of the greatest female rappers ever in Lil Kim. It also made Bad Boy records one of the most Successful and historic labels in rap History.

20 Years later “Ready To Die” is one of the most sampled rap albums of all time. “Juicy, Warning, Big Poppa and One More Chance” are still all staples on radio. Lyrics have been sampled from this album from rap, pop, rnb and even rock stars. The album as been on several of greatest of all time list including Time Magazine Top 100 albums ever. It even spanned the Blockbuster Diamond Selling Classic Masterpiece follow up “Life After Death”. Which literally acts as a sequel to “Ready To Die” which it begins at the end of “Suicidal Thoughts”. So on this Legendary Anniversary. What's your favorite song from the album and what's your opinion of it all these years later? 20 years ago Biggie may have been “Ready To Die”, but the music he made was Ready To Live. FOREVER.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ready_to_Die

XXL: "FAMILY BUSINESS" - THE MAKING OF READY TO DIE
http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2014/09/the-making-of-ready-to-diefamily-business/15/[/Q

 

[270crownst]

Biggie the great! I miss that MC

 

[rapmastermind]

THE SINGLES AND VIDEOS: One great thing about the new formula that Puffy and Big created was their singles were not just pop fluff. Biggie made sure to lace the streets on all of his hits singles. Check out the Track Listing for each single:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juicy_(The_Notorious_B.I.G._song)


Juicy (Dirty Mix) (5:05)

Unbelievable (3:45) (Produced by DJ Premier)

Juicy (Remix) (4:42) (Produced by Pete Rock)

Juicy (Instrumental) (5:05)

Unbelievable (Instrumental) (3:45)

Juicy (Remix Instrumental) (4:43)

For "Juicy" Big gave the streets the underground gutter Premo Classic "Unbelieveable" as well as a remix from the Legendary Pete Rock himself (Pete claims he should of gotten the original credit as he gave Puff the Idea. The reason I believe him is Puff gave the Remix as an apology to me. Nothing against the Trackmasters and Puff, they definitely produced it but it's clear Pete had the original idea)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Poppa



"Big Poppa" (radio edit)

"Big Poppa" (remix radio edit)

"Who Shot Ya?" (radio edit)

"Big Poppa" (remix instrumental)

"Big Poppa" (club mix)

"Big Poppa" (remix club mix)

"Who Shot Ya?" (club mix)

"Warning" (club mix)

On "Big Poppa" Big gave us the hard album cut "Warning". As well as a smooth southern remix of "Big Poppa" produced by Jermaine Dupri. He even threw a left hook by throwing in the reworked now two verse "Who Shot Ya" which was original on Mary J's album with Keith Murray.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_More_Chance_(The_Notorious_B.I.G._song)


One More Chance / Stay With Me (Radio Edit 1) (4:15)

One More Chance (Hip Hop Mix) (5:05)

One More Chance / Stay With Me (Radio Edit 2) (4:35)

One More Chance (Hip Hop Instrumental) (5:08)

One More Chance (Hip Hop Radio Edit) (4:24)

The What (Radio Edit) (4:08)

One More Chance / Stay With Me (Instrumental) (4:35)

With his Classic Single "One More Chance" Biggie gave us a more street remix of it as well as adding "The What" with Method Man. The only thing I will say is Puffy should of included the original "One More Chance" as many people now think this is the main version when it's not even on the album technically.

So again he had a Street Bangers to match his mainstream tracks. They always threw in some remixes and instrumentals. No wonder all 3 singles got certified.

 

[Idiopathic Joker]

Breaking days on the set

no sweat

drink off moet

Can't bag yet because's it's still wet

But when it dry bag it

five at a time

I can clock about nine on the check cashing line

 

[D.Original]

RTD is in the top 5 hiphop albums of all time no doubt.

 

[5th Letter]

Good read.

 

[rapmastermind]

THE SONGS THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT: Everyone knows "One More Chance Stay With Me Remix" wasn't on the album. As well as "Who Shot Ya" but they both ended up on singles. There were several songs that didn't make it. It was mostly cause of sample clearance and Puffy saying no. Here are some of the Great Cuts that missed the Cut on Ready To Die:

*"Dead Wrong" - Original produced by Easy Mo Bee, the was Biggie spitting over a laid back jazzy beat. A majority of fans only remember the remix from 99's "Born Again" especially cause of the Eminem feature. But this was the original version that didn't make the album:


*"Nikkaz" This song was remixed on "The Bad Boys II" Soundtrack as well as "Born Again" but the original version was a raw underground cut.


"Whatcu Want" - This was remixed for the "Duets" album and featured Jay Z but the original was very raw and uncut.


"Dreams (Just Playin)" - One of the most infamous records in Biggie's career. His pissed so many RnB singers off he actually got calls from Patti and Regina Bell that he was out of line. Puffy got an ear full from the "Mariah Carey's kinda Scary" line Of course Xscape is still scared from his infamous "Raul Paul" line. The song ended up being the only unreleased left off "Ready To Die" song to be included on the 10th Anniversary album. It was underground while Biggie was alive though it was released on some Vinyl.


"COME ON" - This was a song produced by Lord Finesse who did the album closer "Ready To Die" and it featured Sadat X. Puffy decided against putting it on the album. The song was later remixed for "Born Again".


"House of Pain" - This was a track that Pac did with Big while they were both recording albums. It was remixed twice by Puffy. 1st on "Born Again" and it featured Joe Hooker but that was never released. Then on "Duets" with Stretch taken off and NaS and Mary J added produced by Just Blaze. Here is the original rumored to be produced by Easy Mo Bee


"Macs and Dons" - This record is pure "Ready To Die", from the production to Big's amazing style and flow. Out of all the unreleased tracks outside of "Dreams" this one stood out to me that probably shouldn't of been cut. Listening to it take you back in time to when the album dropped. The "Notorious" Movie was actually the 1st time the song was introduced to the public. Sample clearances why it didn't make the album.

The cassette and Vinyl versions.

 

[Built 4 cuban linx]

Got my copy, about to play this all weekend

 

[So ILL]

The What.

 

[Antwuan89]

One Of The Greatest Albums In Hip-Hop History. I Love This Album.

 

[trilladelic]

Live from Bedford Stuyvesant

The livest one

 

[CracceR]

never really loved juicy, its jus kinda corny/cheesy to me.. love the rest of the album tho

 

[DNB1]

GOAT Thread.

 

[rapmastermind]

TODAY'S THE DAY. HAPPY 20TH BIRTHDAY "READY TO DIE". I have 6 more chapters to bring you guys on this anniversary:

AWARDS, REVIEWS AND SALES: "Ready To Die" was nominated and won many awards. It also sold very well. Here is the full listing:

"READY TO DIE" - 4x PLATINUM US (8 MILLION SOLD WORLDWIDE)

Juicy - Gold US 750k (Platinum Worldwide)

Big Poppa - Platinum US 1.3 Million (2x Platinum Worldwide)

One more Chance - Platinum US 1.7 Million (3x Platinum Worldwide)

*Grammy Awards: "Best Rap Solo Performance" - "Big Poppa" (Lost to "Gangster's Paradise", Tupac's "Dear Momma" was nominated in this category also that year.)


*Source Awards: "Best Album", "Best Artist", "Best Lyricist" and "Best Live Performer"


(During the After-show, Biggie admit he felt NaS should of won "Lyricist of the Year" at the Source Awards)

*Soul Train Music Awards: "Best Rap Single - One More Chance"


*Billboard Music Awards: "Rap Artist of the Year" and "Rap Single of the Year"

(Check out Bone Thugs In Harmony give Biggie his 2 Billboard Awards)

About.comUnited States100 Greatest Hip Hop Albums[34]20085

Best Rap Albums of 1994[35]20082

10 Essential Hip-Hop Albums[36]20083

Blender500 CDs You Must Own Before You Die2003*

Dance De LuxSpainThe 25 Best Hip-Hop Records200121

Robert DimeryUnited States1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die2005*

ego tripHip Hop's 25 Greatest Albums by Year 1980-9819992

Entertainment WeeklyThe 100 Best Albums from 1983 to 2008200840

The GuardianUnited Kingdom1000 Albums to Hear Before You Die2007*

MojoMojo 1000, the Ultimate CD Buyers Guide2001*

The Mojo Collection, 3rd and/or 4th Edition2003*

Tom MoonUnited States1000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die2008*

MTVThe Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time[37]20054

MUZIQFrance200 Records for a Dream Collection2007*

The New NationUnited KingdomTop 100 Albums by Black Artists20058

Pause & PlayUnited StatesAlbums Inducted into a Time Capsule, One Album per Week*

Pitchfork MediaTop 100 Favorite Records of the 1990s200332

Pure PopMexicoAlbums of the Year199418

QUnited KingdomThe Ultimate Music Collection2005*

Rolling StoneUnited StatesThe Essential Recordings of the 90s1999*

The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time2003133

100 Best Albums of the Nineties[33]20118

SoundsUnited KingdomThe 50 Best Albums of the 1990s200937

The SourceUnited StatesThe 100 Best Rap Albums of All Time1998*

The Critics Top 100 Black Music Albums of All Time[38]20068

SpinTop 90 Albums of the 90s199927

Top 100 (+5) Albums of the Last 20 Years200530

The 125 Best Albums of the Past 25 Years201043

TimeTop 100 Albums of All Time2006*

Vibe100 Essential Albums of the 20th Century1999*

150 Albums That Define the Vibe Era (1992-2007)2007*

Village VoiceAlbums of the Year199438

VPRONetherlands299 Nominations of the Best Album of All Time2006*

(The Source gave "Ready To Die" originally 4.5 Mics because they didn't want to award two 5 Mic albums in the same year. "ILLmatic" got 5 Mics 4 months before. They latter revised it to 5 MICS.)

 

[rapmastermind]

THE FEATURES: "Ready To Die" was definitely The Biggie Smalls Show from beginning to End. But he let some people rock with him on the album and the singles:

TOTAL: Also a newly signed act to Bad Boy. Total sang on the Classic "Juicy" and the original "One More Chance". They also had some vocals on the Hip Hop "Remix" of "One More Chance" on the single.

FAITH AND MARY J: Faith sang the Hook along with Mary J on "One More Chance Stay With Me Remix".

DIANA KING: Before she had the worldwide smash "Shy Guy" on the "Bad Boys" soundtrack. She sang with Biggie on the Jamaican influenced "Respect". Check the ending as it was the basis for her lyrics on "Shy Guy".

LIL KIM: She was actually featured on the "Intro" as well as the "F*ckin U" interlude. She even had a small line on "Friend of Mine". She was even included on the intro of "Me and My B!tch".

JERMAINE DUPRI: On the B-side of "Big Poppa" single is a remix that was produced by JD. It's called "Big Poppa So So Def Remix". He doesn't rap but he does his own version of Puffy adlibs. The Beat was as smooth as the original and was fire and Biggie actually spits a new verse for the last verse:

PUFFY: He didn't have any verses but his Adlibs on this album are legendary. He also set the tone being on the other line in "Suicidal Thoughts" and being different characters in Biggie's life in "The Intro"

METHOD MAN: Even though a few members in Wu had a rocky relationship with Big, Biggie always showed love. He gave Method Man the status of being the only rap feature on this Legendary Album. And Boy did he deliver. Flow for Flow, Bar for Bar he went toe to toe with Biggie. Because of Big's love and respect for Wu, some friends said he even felt Meth may have gotten him. But he was obviously being humble. No matte the case "The What" is a Classic Rap Record for the streets and the Motto is something we can live by, "Everything you get, YOU HAVE TO WORK HARD FOR IT!"

 

[rapmastermind]

THE PRODUCERS: Biggie's lyrics, flow and rhyme style had listener's at every bar. But what about his music in the back?. "Ready To Die" had a list of really good producers who helped make it one of the most Legendary Albums.

PUFF DADDY: Think Michael Jackson and Quicy Jones but from a Hip Hop perspective. That was Puffy and Biggie. He was the mastermind that brought it all together. He helped bring a Raw Biggie to the masses. He's credited as Executive Producer of the album and Co-Producer on 6 tracks. After working on Mary J Blige and Jodeci's albums. Puffy ear for hit songs and music was perfect for Biggie's raw and uncut rhymes. Puffy was Biggie's guide to top and together they made Magic.

EASY MO BEE: Puffy may have brought the Legendary project together but it was Easy Mo Bee's SOUND that defined the tone and mood of the album. Producer on 6 tracks including Classics like "Warning, Gimmie the Loot and The What". Easy Mo Bee brought Classic Jazz influenced Boom Bap sound to album. This is one of the reasons that the album appeals to older Hip Hop fans of Classic 80's Hip Hop cause of the sound. The Chemistry Biggie and Mo Bee was clearly the highlight of the album. He also produced 3 other unreleased "Ready To Die" songs that were left off the album.

(Check out this great mixtape with Biggie over Premo)

DJ PREMIER: Though he only had 1 track on this album. He made sure it was Legendary. "Unbelieveable" was exactly the type of track that made Biggie an Underground Legend. A raw track that was made for the hood and streets. Premo even gives Biggie credit for giving him the idea for sampling R. Kelly's voice. Premo stated because this was the B-side to "Juicy" single. He was awarded his 1st Gold plaque for working with Biggie. Premo did end updoing a "Machine Gun Funk" remix.

LORD FINESSE: The album closer "Suicidal Thoughts" put a stamp on this being a Classic Album. Born from D.I.T.C. Fame. Biggie and Lord worked well together. The beat for "Suicidal Thoughts" only accented Big's Haunting Words.

CHUCKY THOMPSON: Knows as a premier instrumentalist in the Hip Hop World. Chucky musical skills can be found on the stand out track "Big Poppa". He also worked on the original "One More Chance".

The Bluez Brothers: These guys ended up having 3 songs on the album including the Classics "Everyday Struggle" and "Me and My B!tch". Their ear for samples really helped make some Classic Biggie records.

TRACKMASTERS (POKE): The album's breakout single "Juicy" was made by Poke of the Trackmasters. He also worked on the Diana King featured "Respect".

PETE ROCK: Rumors are he gave Puffy the original idea to sample "Juicy". He is creditied with doing the remix on the single.


DARRELL SCOTT: He only had 1 credit on the album and it was a Big one. He produced "Things Dun Change" that gave you a haunting picture of those Brooklyn Streets.

NASHIEM MAVRICK: Before he produced Classics for Biggie on "Life After Death". He helped in crafting one of the most legendary underground records ever. "Who Shot Ya".

RASHAD SMITH: One of the early Hitmen. He helped produce "Dreams" and "One More Chance".

JERMINE DUPRI: As mentioned in the Features section he produced "Big Poppa So So Def Remix". But during "Ready To Die's" reign he did another Biggie song where he rapped and Da Brat was featured. It was on the "Bad Boys" soundtrack called "Da B Side" .


This is a very well produced album. I will forever love that 90's DUSTY sound. Legendary Hip Hop. The samples were great too.

THE SAMPLES:

Intro

"Superfly" by Curtis Mayfield

"Rapper's Delight" by Sugarhill Gang

"Top Billin'" by Audio Two

"Tha Shiznit" by Snoop Doggy Dogg

Things Done Changed

"California My Way" by The Main Ingredient

"Summer Breeze" by The Main Ingredient

"The Vapors" by Biz Markie

"Lil Ghetto Boy" by Dr. Dre

Gimme the Loot

"Coldblooded" by James Brown

"Singing in the Morning" by Ohio Players (Removed following lawsuit.)[5][6]

"Throw Ya Gunz" by Onyx (group)

"What They Hittin' Foe?" by Ice Cube

"Just to Get a Rep" by Gang Starr

"Scenario" (Remix) by A Tribe Called Quest

Machine Gun Funk

"Something Extra" by Black Heat

"Up for the Down Stroke" by The Horny Horns (Removed following lawsuit.)[5][6]

"Chief Rocka" by Lords of the Underground

Warning

"Walk On By" by Isaac Hayes

Ready to Die

"Hospital Prelude of Love Theme" by Willie Hutch

"Yes, I'm Ready" by Barbara Mason

"Ain't No Half Steppin'" by Big Daddy Kane

"Two to the Head" by Kool G Rap & DJ Polo

"Singing in the Morning" by Ohio Players (Removed following lawsuit.)

One More Chance

"Hydra" by Grover Washington, Jr.

"I Want You Back" by The Jackson 5

"All This Love" by Debarge

Fukk Me

"Feenin' by Jodeci

The What

"Can't Say Enough About Mom" by Leroy Hutson

"Overnight Sensation" by Avalanche

Juicy

"Juicy Fruit" by Mtume

Everyday Struggle

"Either Way" by Dave Grusin

Big Poppa

"Between the Sheets" by The Isley Brothers

"Dolly My Baby" by Super Cat

Respect

"I Get Lifted" by KC and the Sunshine Band

"Gun Man Tune" by Pan Head

Friend of Mine

"The Jam" by Graham Central Station

"Seventh Heaven" by Gwen Guthrie

"Vicious" by Black Mamba

Unbelievable

"Impeach the President" by The Honey Drippers

"Remind Me" by Patrice Rushen

"Your Body's Callin' by R. Kelly

"The What" by The Notorious B.I.G

Suicidal Thoughts

"Lonely Fire" by Miles Davis

"Outside Love" by Brethren

Who Shot Ya?

"I'm Afraid the Masquerade Is Over" by David Porter

Just Playing (Dreams)

"Blues and Pants" by James Brown

 

[rapmastermind]

THE ALBUM COVER: Never in hip hop history as an album cover become so controversial yet Legendary at the same time. When "Ready To Die" Artwork showed a young baby with a huge afro in diapers. Many speculated if it was Biggie himself or his daughter. Regardless the cover has become one of the most Legendary covers ever and has joined Nirvana's "Nevermind" as one of the most famous Baby album covers. The cover actually goes along with the theme of the album which starts with Biggie's Birth.


A Year after it's release out of nowhere Biggie was blind sided by a diss from Wu Tang's Reakwon and Ghostface accusing him of copying NaS's "ILLmatic" cover. Though the covers really don't look a like at the time people again though it was Biggie's baby picture so they said he was coping NaS cause NaS used a young picture of himself.

(It was later reviled that NaS's Legendary cover was likely influenced by his Jazz album cover)

Well 3 Years ago the "Ready To Die" Baby came forward. Come to find out Puffy used a child modeling agency to find the kid.

http://on.aol.com/video/notorious-bigs-ready-to-die-kid-grows-up-517131884

Keithroy Yearwood is the famous Afro Baby on the cover. He's now 21 years old and he's from the Bronx. 20 years later the album cover is one of the most iconic in Hip Hop History spanning posters and T-shirts:

(Drake's platinum selling 3rd album "Nothing was the same" album cover was heavily influenced by "Ready To Die)

(The Baby was also featured on the "One More Chance" Single cover)

(It wasn't really "ILLmatic" that "Ready To Die" cover was influenced from but this album. It's the 1st Ohio Players greatest hits album. Biggie sampled the song "In the Morning" on the album which ended up getting removed cause of sample issues)

(During the 10th Anniversary, Puffy released a remastered version and changed the cover from White backdrop to Black)

 

[rapmastermind]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who_Shot_Ya?

"Who Shot Me but you punks didn't finish now you about to feel the wrath of a menace" - Tupac

(Tupac felt "Who Shot Ya?" was disrespectful to him getting shot since Biggie and Puffy were at the scene and Biggie didn't warn him. Both have stated the song was recorded before he was shot and they had nothing to do with his shooting. Years Later it was reviled Jimmy Henchmen was involved in the shooting and Puffy and Biggie weren't involved though they were at the scene)

THE LEGEND OF "WHO SHOT YA?": The "Ready To Die" B-Side underground song "Who Shot Ya" ended up becoming one of the biggest underground rap songs of all time. It also help to anger and sour the relationship between Biggie and Tupac Shakur.

(The original was actually an interlude on "Mary J Blige" "My Life" album and was featured Keith Murray.)


Because of Biggie's viscous bars on the song, Puffy felt it was a little to hard for an RnB album. So he took Biggie off and only kept Keith's Verse. Not even a week after the release of her album Tupac was shot at Quad Studios where Biggie, Puffy and Junior Mafia were recording "Playa's Anthem". While Pac was in Jail, A song titled "Who Shot Ya" was burning up the streets. Puffy and Biggie reworked the original song and added a verse while taking Keith Murray off the song. They added Faith on background vocals and pressed up the song as a B-side to the Platinum selling "Big Poppa" single. While in Jail Pac was furious as the streets were speculating the song was about him. Some of the lyrics could even be interpted as talking about Pac's situation including the ending where Biggie said:

You'll die slow but calm

Recognize my face, so there won't be no mistake

So you know where to tell Jake, lame nikka

Brave nikka, turned front page nikka

Biggie also made reference to Wu Tang's classic "C.R.E.A.M." on the song. With the success of the song underground and in the mainstream being on the "Big Poppa Single". The song took on a life of it's own. It is now one of the most Legendary Underground songs of all time. Many rappers from Jay Z to DMX have freestyled over the beat. Mobb Deep, Lil Kim and LL Cool J all made illusions to the songs on these tracks:


Jay Z - Who Shot Ya Freestyle


DMX - Who Shot Ya Freestyle


Canibus - Who Shot Ya Freestyle


Mos Def - Brooklyn (Who Shot At freestyle at the end)

(Freestyling over "Who Shot Ya" has become a right of passage for many rappers wanting to show their Lyrical Skills)


"I Shot Ya" Remix LL COOL J featuring Keith Murray, Prodigy, Fat Joe and Foxy Brown

(Though LL had denied it, "I Shot Ya" clearly is a spiritual successor to "Who Shot Ya". There is even a piano beat to match and the appearance of Keith Murray who was on the original. Certain lyrics can be interpeted as going at Pac including the title where LL changes Biggie's "WHO" to "I")


Mobb Deep - Drop a Gem On Em

(After Pac went head on against Mobb Deep on the classic diss "Hit Em Up", the Queensbridge duo retured fire on "Drop a Gem On Em". Both verses were going at Pac but it was Prodigy who made reference to "Who Shot Ya?" in his verse.)

Lil Kim featuring Lil Cease - Big Momma Thang (Original Version)

(After "Hit Em Up" Lil Kim was upset at being name dropped by Tupac. Without Biggie's permission she recorded a scatching Diss record to Tupac and Faith. Once Biggie heard it he immediately made her change the lyrics. This version was buried underground after Pac's death but ended up leaking some years go. Lil Kim makes direct reference to Pac's shooting and also makes reference to "Who Shot Ya")

It's amazing how a B-SIDE song blew up that big. Only Biggie could do that.

 

[5 Grand]

Honestly I think Ready To Die is a good/great album but it is seriously overrated. There's a lot of albums on the same level IMO that don't get the publicity. Part if the reason Ready to Die is celebrated as such a great album is because Puffy put a lot of money into marketing and promotion at the time it was released. Also it had great singles (Juicy and Big Poppa) and the One More Chance (remix) which isn't even on the album.

I'm not saying Ready To Die is wack by any means, I just think it's overrated. But I guess that's the purpose of marketing and promotion.

 

[dalyricalbandit]

Classic