Life After Death (studio album) by The Notorious B.I.G.

An unparalleled album in the sheer scope and storytelling. Biggie is bar none the greatest in-rhyming storyteller in the rap game. As a rapper, he is, without a doubt, a legend, right up there with 2pac.

This album demonstrates a tremendous range of styles and subject matter.

The only thing that keeps this from being the number 1 hip hop album ever is the substantial filler on side 2. Still a classic. 9.5/10!

From VictorVale 02/04/2021 21:07

Produção e samples fantástico. Atual ainda hoje.

From Larcx13 01/30/2021 11:46

Totally over-rated because Biggie is Biggie. Some good gangsta rap tracks on here but not my pallet in terms of a hip hop record.

Listening to The Notorious B.I.G. - Life After Death has always been one of the most painful music-related experiences. Many other artists I am a fan of have passed away, but Biggie is special, thinking about the wasted potential is a torture. Anyway, I guess we should be grateful for what he offered us. It's an album that has something for everyone, that's clearly its biggest advantage/disadvantage depending on your perspective. His trademark top notch storytelling - further elevated by his typical rhymes and godlike delivery - is once again present here. That's the case in - among others - Somebody's Gotta Die ("I look deeper; I see blood up on his sneakers And his fist gripped a chrome four-fifth So I dip Nigga, is you creepin' or speakin'? He tells me C-Rock just got hit up at the Beacon I opens up the door, pitiful: "Is he in critical?" Retaliation for this one won't be minimal 'Cause I'm a criminal Way before the rap shit"), Niggas Bleed ("Room 112, right by the staircase, perfect place When they evacuate, they meet they fate "Ron, pass the gasoline," the nigga passed me kerosene Fuck it, it's flame-able, my hunger is unexplainable Strike the match, just what I expected The dread kid ejected in seconds, and here come two... Opposite sexes, one black, one Malaysian We in the hallway, waiting patient As soon as she hit the door, we start blasting I saw her brains hit the floor, Ron laughing, I swear to God I hit Maxi Priest at least twelve times in the chest Spinned around, shot the chink in the breast "), I Got a Story to Tell ("Televisions, Versace heaven, when I'm up in 'em The shit she kicked, all the shit's legit She get dick from a player off the New York Knicks Nigga tricked ridiculous, the shit was plush She's stressing me to fuck, like she was in a rush We fucked in his bed, quite dangerous I'm in his ass while he playing 'gainst the Utah Jazz My 112, CD blast, I was past She came twice, I came last, roll the grass"). Then there are tracks like Kick in the Door where he goes all out and fires shots in many directions ("Uhh, your reign on the top was short like leprechauns As I crush so-called willies, thugs, and rapper-dons Get in that ass quick, fast like Ramadan It's that rap phenomenon Don Dada, fuck Poppa"). Long Kiss Goodnight follows the same approach ("Laugh now cry later, I rhyme greater Than the average playa hater and spectators Buy my CD twice, they see me in the streets They be like, "Yo he nice, but that's on the low though" Be the cats with no dough, tried to play me at my show"), while the theme of beefs with other rappers is further explored on What’s Beef? ("Pardon my French but, uh, sometimes I get kind of Peeved at these weak MCs (don't stop) With the supreme baller-like lyrics I call 'em like I see 'em, G Y'all niggas sound like me (yeah) Y'all was grimy in the early 90s, far behind me It ain't hard to find me") and of course Going Back to Cali revolves around East/West coast rivarly ("If I got to choose a coast, I got to choose the East I live out there, so don't go there But that don't mean a nigga can't rest in the West See some nice breast in the West Smoke some nice sess in the West, y'all niggas is a mess Thinking I'm gon stop, giving L.A props All I got is beef with those that violate me I shall annihilate thee"). On the other hand, we get to see his softer side on the touching Miss U (" Gave him half my paper, told 'em "Go that route!" Few months, he got his brain blown out, now I'm stressed His baby's mother, she trippin', blamin' me And his older brothers understand the game it be Kinda topsy-turvy; you win some, you lose some Damn, they lost a brother, they mother lost a son Fuck, why my nigga couldn't stay in N.Y.? I'm a thug, but I swear for three days I cried I, look in the sky and ask God why Can't look his baby girls in the eye Damn, I'm missin' him"). Also, there is some more commercial, party oriented catchy stuff, for example Hypnotize ("Biggie, Biggie, Biggie, can't you see? Sometimes your words just hypnotize me And I just love your flashy ways Guess that's why they broke, and you're so paid"), Mo’ Money Mo’ Problems ("I don't know what they want from me It's like the more money we come across The more problems we see") or Nasty Boy ("Back of my mind I hope she swallow Man she spilled a drink on my cream Wallows Reach the gate, hungry just ate Riffin', she got to be to work by eight This must mean she ain't tryna wait Conversate, sex on the first date"). Fuck You Tonight leans so much towards R & B that it's one of the so very rare instances where Biggie is almost overshadowed, fantastic vocals. If you're looking for great vocals, you should also check the chorus of The World Is Filled... . Last Day is one of the songs that highlight why listening to this album is so painful ("You already know what it's about when I run up in your house Put the gun up in your mouth and get the money out the couch Hearin' you out is senseless, perhaps for instance I give this faggot a french kiss Black gloves, no prints, dark tints Word on the street they ain't heard from him since You know about life after kickin' the kid in"), not to mention My Downfall ("You gain thirty pounds when you die no lie, lazy eye I was high when they hit me, took a few cats with me Shit, I need the company (uh-huh) Apologies in order, to T'Yanna my daughter If it was up to me you would be with me"). I Love the Dough has Biggie plus Jay-Z, the universe must have come pretty close to exploding ("We push the hottest V's, peel fast Through the city, play Monopoly with real cash Me and Biggie and the models be shakin' they sadiddy ass And Prada be somethin' you cats got to see"). While we 're on the subject could we change the subject now of great collaborations one has to mention the appearance of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony in Notorious Things ("7 A.M. woke in the morning With Hen' and caffeine and green and nicotine No-Doz so pop a couple of those Lil' RIPsta, nigga Mista Clean, make it gleam Deep in my temple and not to get sentimentally steamed With my instrumelody, and heated, especially for your team And a .45 indeed will beam In between the scenes, destroy your dreams"). Another highlight has to be Ten Crack Commandments, which is exactly what the title suggests ("Number 9 shoulda been Number 1 to me: If you ain't gettin' bagged stay the fuck from police If niggas think you snitchin' they ain't tryna listen They be sittin' in your kitchen, waiting to start hittin'"). Sky's The Limit is another huge track showcasing his development through the years. ("He came out with the phrase He went from ashy to classy – I like that"). In general, I don't mind the so called "filler" tracks, but if there's one I would consider skipping, it has to be Another. Playa Hater is another track that has been getting some hate, but I find it highly enjoyable, just accept it for what it is and don't take it seriously. The spooky You're Nobody ('Til Somebody Kills You) sadly makes for a great closer.
To sum it up, it might have its flaws, but to be honest I just don't care. For me few hip hop albums can compare to this.

From planetneutral 12/01/2020 00:46

I'm one to complain about venerated albums being way too long and this is no exception. But it's not nearly as bloated or boring as I expected.

Legendary album, a rare Rap double cd that is not too long. Tremendous flow great production. Such a waste that he died so young only 24 years old. The world was robbed only 2 albums put together by him. @ posthumous ( both worth owning but shells of Ready to Die and Life After Death)

From poppmusic 10/29/2016 08:16

Best track: Sky's the Limit

Damn, I love this shit

Jealousy's a motherfucker, you weak jealous motherfuckers!
If you a jealous motherfucker, you just a weak motherfucker!
See when you on top, motherfuckers just wanna bring you down!
Motherfuckers don't even know you, and they don't like you...

A great album, let down by it's unnecessary length and the inevitable filler that brings with it.