It’d be hard not to be shocked and touched by his work, often during the same song and in that order. The accompanying beats are slick and well-made, but only match Big’s vocals in quality half of the time. There are no less than 8 producers on the album, with multiples occasionally sharing credit on an individual track. Too many cooks in the kitchen can make for a scattershot meal and certain efforts feel phoned-in and generic. The best tracks mirror the content of the vocals and Lord Finesse’s work on “Suicidal Thoughts” rewards Biggie’s bravery with suitably dark tones and an ominous drum stomp. Also of note is DJ Premier’s fast-paced, jazz-inflected “Unbelievable,” which matches the steady stream of sharp descriptors and snarky provocations perfectly. Otherwise, the production, overseen by Sean “Puffy” Combs, sinks or swims based on prominent drum beat, jazzy wind instruments and faint keys. Most do a serviceable job, especially when taking queues from reggae or utilizing deeper textures (organ, hissy synth, strings). “Juicy” finds the perfect balance between vocal and musical brilliance, taking soft, echoed keys, staccato synth beats and strolling funky bass from Mtume’s “Juicy Fruit” and throwing in syrupy, trippy flourishes. This canvas gives Biggie room to sketch his road from gift less Christmases and empty stomachs to diamond jewelry and paid bills. His story also ingeniously parallels Hip Hop’s rise from the underground to the mainstream, honoring what came before and injecting his own perspective. It’s no surprise that the first verse may be the most well-known in rap history, echoing childhood dreams that relate easily to the collective human experience and reflecting the stunning abilities of the storyteller. Ready to Die doesn’t succeed through a unified production aesthetic, but through the power of the narrator. Wallace’s melancholy laces his passion for sex and crime with a vulnerable desperation. He may seem bold and brash on the surface of his radio singles, but the deep cuts bleed with tension, paranoia and regret. Knowing that he would be dead within two years only adds to the all-encompassing somberness. in 1994, Photo by Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images – Ready To Die was ranked #31 on Matt Deapo‘s Hip Hop Top 50, a ranking of 50 of the best Hip Hop albums recorded between 19, based on this consideration and these rules.Notorious B.I.G. Ready To Die, the only album released by The Notorious B.I.G. in his lifetime, has now lived longer than its creator ever did, with September 13 marking its 25th anniversary.
The years have been kind to Ready To Die it’s pop-leaning singles can still be heard regularly at clubs, while Biggie’s gritty street narration matched with charm, wit and a remarkable flow have had a profound influence on the rap universe ever since.