Review Summary: One of the best hip hop albums of all time
The Notorious B.I.G. is undoubtedly one of the best MC's in the history of hip hop, for various reasons. His laid-back flow, lyricism, storytelling, and notably, an album by the name of Ready to Die. The album had one of the best MC's in full-form, with classic beats, and a fantastic storyline. Prior to the album's release, Biggie Smalls was relatively unknown, but the album got hip hop fans to recognize who he is.
Following the intro, we get into the first real song on the album, "Things Done Changed". The song, laced with a thorough, perfectly crafted beat from Darnell Scott, has Biggie mainly rhyming about the way the streets have changed, and the differences from when he was a boy to man. Another standout track follows (although all tracks warrant repeat listens), "Gimme the Loot", perhaps one of the most impressive hip hop songs ever. Biggie tells a story from the perspective of three robbers, the story told completely by him, with a fitting, aggressive Easy Mo Bee instrumental.
There are no guests on the album except for Method Man, who makes an appearance on "The What". The two MC's go back and forth, and deciding who outshines who is challenging, as both have some of their most entertaining verses. The positive of there being only one guest is that throughout the album, Biggie gets to showcase his skills and storytelling, and be the star of the album. The production on this album is handled mainly by Bluez Brothers and Puff Daddy (who also executive produced the album), but there's help from Easy Mo Bee, DJ Premier, Lord Finesse, and Trackmasters. Each beat here is fantastic, and fits each track perfectly.
Ready to Die, is a masterpiece, and hands-down one of the best hip hop albums of all time. The lyricism, storytelling, production, and overall structure of the album is perfect. Even though Biggie died, he left us with enough (high-quality) material to show why he's one of the best MC's to ever do it, this album being one of the reasons why.
Ratings:
1. Intro
2. Things Done Changed: 5/5
3. Gimme the Loot: 5/5
4. Machine Gun Funk: 5/5
5. Warning: 5/5
6. Ready to Die: 5/5
7. One More Chance: 5/5
8. #!*@ Me Interlude
9. The What (feat. Method Man): 5/5
10. Juicy: 5/5
11. Everyday Struggle: 5/5
12. Me and My Bitch: 5/5
13. Big Poppa: 5/5
14. Respect: 5/5
15. Friend of Mine: 5/5
16. Unbelievable: 5/5
17. Suicidal Thoughts: 5/5
Best songs:
Things Done Changed
Machine Gun Funk
Gimme the Loot
Everyday Struggle
Warning
Weakest song: Friend of Mine
Production: 10/10
Lyrics: 10/10
Overall rating: 100/100
Grade: A+
