The Notorious B.I.G. gave the rap game hit after hit during his short time in the industry, which we still enjoy today.
The Bad Boy rapper burst onto the scene in the early 1990s as the protege of Diddy, releasing his debut album in September 1994. “Ready to Die” spawned lead singles “Juicy,” “One More Chance,“ and the famed Isley Brothers sampled “Big Poppa,“ which earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance. The RIAA declared the album certified Gold in November 1994 before being declared double platinum in October 1995. The album propelled the rapper to superstardom.
After finding success, he launched the career of his own rap crew, Junior Mafia. The group consisted of Lil Cease, Bugsy, Capone, Chico, Nino Brown, Larceny, Trife, Klepto, Mr. Bristal, Chico Del Vec, and Lil Kim. Biggie introduced their debut album, “Conspiracy,” in August 1995, which offered up the hit single “Get Money.”
Biggie got back to work on his double sophomore album, “Life After Death,“ which was slated for a March 25th, 1997. In one of his final interviews on February 24th, 1997, Biggie told BET the thought process behind his follow-up album
“The way I was feeling when I did ‘Ready to Die‘ was, I was feeling like I was already dead,“ he explained. “‘Life After Death‘” is the flip side of things, you know what I’m saying? I can’t rhyme about being broke no more. I ain’t broke. I can’t rhyme about hustlin’ in the streets no more ’cause I don’t hustle no more. So it’s the life after. All that’s over. I ain’t hungry no more,“ he added confidently.
Sadly, he would not live long enough to see the album’s success. Biggie was gunned down on March 9th, 1997, in Los Angeles, mere days before his sophomore project, which would achieve 11-times platinum status. His death greatly impacted the music community for years to come. As we continue to remember one of the most prolific rappers in history, let’s throw it back to some of our favorite Biggie tracks as we celebrate what would have been his 52nd birthday.
