In your life there are artists that really mark you. This is the case of Biggie, it is certainly one of my favorite 5 rappers of all time. Christopher Wallace, known as Biggie, is an incredible charismatic rapper, a former Brooklyn street dealer, of which I am absolutely a fan. In 1994 he released his first album "Ready to Die". And what else to say about this album except that it is for me one of the best rap record I have ever listened to (and yet I listened to a lot of hip-hop). In this record, he describes his life as a dealer by posing his incredible and atypical flow on extremely effective prods signed Puff Daddy (based mainly on good big samples). This album is also important because it takes position in the famous conflict (which it will cause his death) between the west coast and the east coast. Finally, the name of the 14th track of this album is enough to describe what I feel: "RESPECT".

10/10

Best track: "Suicidal Thoughts"

Almost flawless. I'd scrap Friend of Mine. Me & My Bitch and Respect are somewhat enjoyable, but I could leave them too.

Although I like Jay-Z's Blueprint a little more, this album, with its mix of street tales and concept songs and radio hits, actually laid the blueprint for East Coast mainstream rap.

Was going through every rap classic and giving them a listen. Not impressed with this one with the exception of the closing track.

There was a time I HATED this album, boy was I wrong. This is a masterpiece possibly the greatest album in the history of rap music. No Body i mean NOBODY flows like Biggie.

Not much to say. An absolute hip hop classic. Not even going to bother listing my favorite tracks because there are so many.

This is pretty much a classic I don't know what else to say

After several listens, it's apparent how well integrated the songs are to form a cohesive narrative, and each song is touching in its own way.

I think the Intro gave me more understanding of hip-hop/rap than anything else I've ever experienced in just over 3 minutes.

Also, probably my favorite song was Respect (I only pay attention to lyrics like 20-50% of the time... this one was musically raw and liked Diana King.

Ridiculously enjoyable, so so good, his flows are ridiculous, the Fuck Me interlude was kinda cringe as well as blowjob sounds but this album is unbelievably consistent and brilliant. His lyrics feel so natural and real. Instrumentals are catchy and immersive too. Beats are classic. A pioneer of modern hip-hip for sure. Died far too young.

Gets better with every listen, its official he's a legend