03/09/2023
As a DJ, I've had the pleasure of spinning tracks from some of the greatest rappers of all time. But there's one name that always comes up in conversations about the best of the best: Notorious B.I.G.
What's truly remarkable about Biggie is that he only gave us two albums, yet he's widely considered the best rapper to ever do it. His lyrical skills were unparalleled, his flow was smooth, and his storytelling was next level. But perhaps what set him apart the most was his ability to paint vivid pictures with his words, making you feel like you were right there with him, living his experiences.
The two albums Biggie released during his lifetime, "Ready to Die" and "Life After Death," are both classics that stand the test of time. They're albums that you can play from start to finish, over and over again, without ever getting tired of them. Each song is a masterpiece in its own right, with unforgettable hooks and verses that stick with you long after the music has stopped.
I remember "Hypnotize" dropped in 1997. I remember hearing that beat, with its infectious groove and horns that sounded like they were blaring out of an old school Cadillac, and immediately feeling like I was hearing something special. Then Biggie's voice came in, smooth as silk, with that unmistakable Brooklyn accent, and I was hooked. I must have played that song a hundred times that day, and it never got old.
But it wasn't just "Hypnotize" that made Biggie a legend. It was the way he could tell stories about his life and experiences, with such raw honesty and vulnerability, that really set him apart. Songs like "Juicy," "Warning," and "Everyday Struggle" gave us a glimpse into Biggie's world, showing us the struggles and triumphs he faced as a young man growing up in Brooklyn.
Sadly, Biggie's life was cut tragically short when he was gunned down in 1997, just months after the release of "Life After Death." But even though he only gave us two albums, his impact on hip hop is immeasurable. He paved the way for a new generation of rappers, and his legacy lives on today through their music.
Notorious B.I.G. was undoubtedly the best rapper of all time, despite only releasing two albums during his lifetime. His lyrical skills, flow, storytelling, and ability to make us feel like we were right there with him were unparalleled. As a DJ, I can say with certainty that Biggie's music will never get old, and his impact on hip hop will never be forgotten.
By Elhesinberg - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=106982836