Customer Reviews

Ready To Die [Vinyl LP]

5 star:		(253)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

Hmm it's a good album...wait no a great album...forget that it's the BEST album. When biggie dropped this album it hit like an atomic bomb, totally re-arranging the rap world and driving the fledging east-coast back to the top. Normally I would tell you my favorite tracks but I'll just break it down with the whole damn CD is amazing. From the intro to the ending "Suicidal Thoughts" The Notorious BIG put down everything thats essential for an instant classic, and believe it or not Puff Daddy...oh excuse me "P. Diddy" laced this whole album up with amazing beats. If I could give this CD 10 stars I would, and like several reviewers on here mentioned, how could you give it anything less? And finally this last part is for all angry Tupac Shakur fans coming down on this CD with 1 star reviews and cursing, Tupac and Biggie were equally great we all know it, but some of us would rather stay angry. But isn't that anger the same kind that made us lose the two greatest MC's Tupac and Biggie? Think about it, and grab this CD. Peace.

"Ready to Die" is an essential album for true rap fans. Yes, Biggie explores the usual gangsta trappings (clothes, bank rolls and ho's, etc.). What separates this work from most the rest of the cookie-cutter rappers out there is that Biggie writes with intelligence, style and wit. His lyrics are what separate this album from the rest of the heap - he expresses himself with the clarity and cleverness more typically found in a classic songwriter. The samples and beats behind the lyrics compliment most of the material perfectly and are a refreshing break from the played-out R&B/Funk West Coast sound. B.I.G. uses humor, intelligence and vivid imagery subtely and lets the listener fill in the gaps. Like Nas' debut album "Illmatic"(also highly recommended!), "Ready to Die" is a refreshing departure from the Top 40-driven rap/hip hop scene predominant today. It's rap that you won't feel embarassed to listen to.

In 1994, The Notorious B.I.G. came out with what I think is the greatest rap album ever created. Biggie had an amazing rhyme style which he unleashed in every single song. He could change his style from song to song and still managed to keep in character. He made songs that showed what he knew about when he was growing up hustling. His raps are easy to understand but he manages to still make them outstanding. Biggie's loose and easy flow made his songs great. When he begins to pile multiple rhymes on top of one another you know you're hearing a classic. My favorite aspect of The Notorious B.I.G. is his dramatic storytelling and how easily he slips in and out of different characters.

1. Intro - Nice intro to introduce The Notorious B.I.G. into the game.

2. Things Done Changed - Very deep song. Great to start off this album. Really defines himself with this song about changes. "Back in the days, our parents used to take care of us. Look at em now, they even f***ing scared of us!" 10/10

3. Gimmie The Loot - Classic track. Biggie flawlessly portrays two different characters. This song is funny and has some classic lines. "I wouldn't give f*** if you're pregnant. Give me the baby rings and a #1 MOM pendant!" 10/10

4. Machine Gun Funk - Great lyrics, great beat and sample. "Relentless approach, to know if I'm broke or not, Just cause I joke and smoke a lot, Don't mean I don't tote the glock." 10/10

5. Warning - A great song. One of his best actually. This song shows Big's storytelling ability and manages to inject some humor and his lyrics are perfect. "There's gonna be a lot of slow singin, and flower bringin if my burgular alarm starts ringing." 10/10

6. Ready To Die - Classic song. Biggie tears up the 1st verse and when you hear him finish off the verse, you know it's a classic. 10/10

7. One More Chance - Good song with a good beat. Not a standout track in my opinion but it's still great. The phone messages in the beginning are annoying though. 8/10

8. #!*@ Me - Strange skit. Go ahead and skip it. Definately not worth a second listen.

9. The What - One of the rawest songs on the album. It features Method Man who completely tears it up. As usual, Biggie holds his own. "Excuse me, flows just grow through me like trees to branches, Cliffs to avalanches. It's the praying mantis." 10/10

10. Juicy - A now classic song about growing up in the hood and finally making it big. 10/10

11. Everyday Stuggles - Great song about growing up in the ghetto. Nice deep song with nice beat and great lyrics. "Packed up my tools for my raw power moves. Glock nineteen for casket and flower moves. For chumps tryin to stop my flow, and what they don't know will show on the autopsy." 10/10

12. Me & My B*tch - Great song about his girl who met a sad fate. Big manages to lay some deep rhymes throughout this depressing story. "She helped me plan out my robberies on my enemies.Didn't hesitate to squeeze, to get my life out of danger. One day, she put 911 on the pager." 10/10

13. Big Poppa - Now a classic song. Not really much to be said about it that hasn't already been said. 10/10

14. Respect - Good song with a Reggae twist. BIG just rapping about his ascent in the world since birth. Tight rhymes as usual. "I made it out, I'm bringin' mad joy. The doctor looked and said, 'He's gonna be a Bad Boy'" 9/10

15. Friend Of Mine - Probably my least favorite song on the album but BIG still manages to lay out some nice rhymes in this song about girls cheating. 7/10

16. Unbelievable - Pretty nice beat but once again, it's Biggie's rhymes that carry this song. "Rappers can't sleep, Need sleepin. Big keep creepin, Bullets heat-seekin, Casualties need treatin, Dumb rappers need teachin." 9/10

17. Suicidal Thoughts - My Favorite song on Ready To Die. BIG's rhymes are flawless and he manages to explain everything he feels he's done wrong that justifies his suicide. Classic and depressing ending to a classic album. 10/10

Can anyone forget this album? This album (as well as Nas' "Illmatic" were the front runners of the year 1994. Christopher "Notorious B.I.G. (Biggie Smalls)" Wallace debuted with this album with the lead single "Juicy". A rags to riches song that still gets played here in 2006. Biggie's lyrical skills were excellent. I hear a lot of rappers (who I will be here all day naming) saying excellent lines that came from Biggie. I think to myself "Damn, this guy said everything".

The album is excellent too. A lot of these songs are about drugs, robbing, and what not. Big was just rhyming about things that he went through before he had a record deal, trying to survive and eat. Who could blame him? "Give Me The Loot" is one of those songs about his struggles (some words were edited in this song. I'm pretty sure rhyming about robbing a pregnant woman was going to gain some negative attention). "Machine Gun Funk" is self explanitory on how a good song it was. "Warning" was a short song and video about people targeting him for his money. "One More Chance" is a great song about how he gets his females. The song would be remixed and made into a video a year later, but both versions sound great.

Guest appearances are only one. Method Man, back when his rhyme skills were phenomonal, would rhyme on "The What". Classic track if you ask me.

Production was by Mr. Cee, and Puff Daddy. True, Puffy might be the "king of beat jacking" and what not, but he did a damn good job with them. The Isley Brothers "Between The Sheets" would be made into the classic single "Big Poppa" was one of them.

This album was pulled off the shelves earlier of this year, because of unauthorized sampling on this album. But recently I've seeing it back on shelves. I guess it got settled. I bought this back in 2003 when it had the origonal white album cover. If you purchased this in 2004, you get the album with a few extra tracks like the more popular "One More Chance (Remix)". And you get the DVD with all the videos that came from this album. This album had a heavy impact in 1994, is a classic and is a must have for any hip hop collection. Most of these songs are rehashed into choppy verses on his postmothous albums unfortunately. But this is where most of them origonally came from. Biggies legacy helped influenced a laundry list your favorite rappers today, who bite his style. That alone should explain how this impacted hip hop. Word.

Rest In Peace Biggie Smalls

Lyrics: A+
Production: A+
Guest Appearances: A+
Musical Vibes: A
Overall: A+

Favorite Tracks: Give Me The Loot, Machine Gun Funk, Warning, One More Chance, Juicy, Every Day Struggle, Me & My B*tch, Big Poppa, Respect, Friend Of Mine, Suicidal Thoughts

Peace!

Notorious B.I.G. was one of the most gifted rappers i have ever known and it is a shame that he had to die for his career. I should get to this album because if I rave on about how enthusiastically good Biggie Smalls was, I would probably get negative feedback on this review. So, here goes. Ready to Die was a multi-platinum album, if that doesn't say enough. I absolutely love this album to death and it deserves 5 stars solid, not 4.5. Every track on this album right here is bumpin from start to finish, and trust me, you will never recieve any hint of boredom from this here album. Relatively 63 minutes of hard core hip-hop action are shown on this album. He raps around the sole core of his mind and lyrics: the rough dirty streets of downtown Brooklyn. Reknowned the king of hiphop and of new york, this guy deserves some respect. So in Biggie's sake, go out and buy this album, Number 1--you'll enjoy it, and Number 2--It will make Biggie feel better up in the heavens. R.I.P. To The Hip Hop King Of Brooklyn, Biggie Smalls (Christopher Wallace).

Anything but five stars is a desgrace to Biggie's legacy.

He's got a crystal clear approach and don't be fooled by the subject matter the guy was smart, strong, and better than anybody else out there. Nobody has even come close to what he has done. Really it's a shame that he was killed. He didn't deserve to die. Reading about what happened and watching the Broomfield documentary is seems B.I.G. was just a way to sell a story that Tupac's death was an East Coast versus West Coast rivalry.

Biggie had a way of mixing everything together, making every line new, and always making sense. He was a guy who said something, not that everything had a point, but that everything had a story. You decide what you take from it. Look below:

I got 357 ways to simmer sautee I'm the winner all day
Lights get dimmer down Biggie's hallway
My forte causes caucausians to say
he sounds demented, car weed scented
If I said I meant it
bite my tongue for noone

Now check that out, it's raw, witty, uses conventional and unconventional rhyme schemes and it's funky. When it's on the stereo you wanna dance. And meanwhile you're thinking. This is not everyday hip-hop. This was Michael Jordan in the NBA or Babe Ruth in MLB. This is a one-time phenomenon. I doubt hip-hop will ever have a mayor like Biggie again.

If you look at the rhymes of the above lines it puts him on caliber with the great British poets of the early nineteenth century. He has regular end-rhymes, and then adds internal rhymes and resets the rhyme, climaxing with 'bite my tongue for noone' which is a classic inside rhyme finding the like sounds in 'tongue' and 'noone.' And this line is not a real standout. That's why it stands out so much. Every line is this good and some are even better! This ranks BIG with T.S. Eliot or any major poet.

Also, his storytelling is incredible. Many white suburban kids are only acquainted with the ghetto through hip-hop. "The streets is a short stop/Either your slingin' crack rock or you got a wicked jump shot." This gave an image to a multitude of listeners.

His mother says he was a poet and I cannot and do not disagree. The man was a professional. This album is his best. From front to back it's bangin'. If you don't have a copy, buy it immediately. For a fan of pop, hip-hop, poetry, or literature this is a must.

Once again it's Shomaster for my classic album reviews. Ready to Die has to be one of the top hip hop albums of all time. Biggie displayed much charisma, in-depth story telling and tricky word-play. The production matched his grimy voice. The highlight of the album has to be Everyday Struggle where Biggie tells the hardships of coming up in BK. The hook really catches you on the first listen. Respect is also a dope track. It has a reggae type feel with Biggie quoting some of his best stuff. The What matches him with then hot Method Man. Method Man is at his best with Biggie almost outshining the lyrical beast. Lyrically, Biggie is at his best on the song Warning. The sampled track is banging with an equally dope hook. Every track is a good listen with no skipping. For those who enjoy the radio friendly tracks he has a couple of those also. Juicy is a favorite club banger, and Big Poppa is a real catchy song. This is an album for anyone not just hip hop fans but all music fans.

"Ready To Die", Notorious B.I.G.'s debut album, is the most complete album of his short discography. While his 2-disc opus "Life After Death" in 1997 was indeed an ambitious album, "Ready To Die" is simply stronger and more captivating. While "Ready To Die" is not one of the best albums ever recorded by all means, it is a landmark force to be reckoned with.

Lyrically, Biggie was several notches above average. His rhymes and wordplay were complex, and his subject matter was introspective, autobiographical and significant on tracks such as "Things Done Changed", "Respect", and "Everyday Struggle" respectively. At times, he would be braggadocios regarding his assets sin life, such as his pimp game, how dope an emcee he was and such (this can be heard on tracks such as "Unbelievable", "Machine Gun Funk" and "Big Poppa"). His lyrics were indeed great, but I find myself more captivated by his intense and riveting delivery. Booming vocal tones are evident on this album, especially on tracks such as "Juicy" and "Gimmie The Loot". Overall, he had lyrical proficiency and talent that is perfectly utilized on "Ready To Die".

The production on this album is mostly great. Easy Moe Bee produced a lot of the cuts, and DJ Premier, Puff Daddy, and the Trackmasters make contributions as well.

Standouts: "Things Done Changed" is a powerful track where Biggie first reminisces on his life in Brooklyn and how good it was before crime and violence crept in and deteriorated it to the point where it simply wasn't safe to live in. Biggie's complex lyrics, yet simple storytelling is nothing short of spectacular. His wordplay is second to none here ("Instead of a Mac-10 he tried scrapping/Slugs in his back and, that's what the f**k's happening"). The production is nothing to scoff at, with a scarce drum-loop, horns, jazzy sprinkled piano keys and some restrained but audible violins. There is a sample of Dr. Dre speaking fitting words of wisdom for the track. "Gimmie The Loot" utilizes a concept where Biggie plays two characters. The story involves two hoodlums going on a robbing spree and eventually being infiltrated by the police. This is a largely interesting cut. First off, the interactions between Biggie and himself with a high-pitched voice are darkly humorous. He managed to fool me to the first time I heard it. The lyrics are top-notch, though they are brutal to the point where there some of it is edited. The production is simple, but good. It consists of a loud drum-loop, some suspenseful flutes, a catchy guitar-flick, strangled trumpets, and a hard bassline. There is a sample of Guru after the second verse. "Warning" has a similar concept with Biggie playing both characters, one of which is on the phone. It's a narrative where a friend warns Biggie in the middle of the night over his pager that his peers are becoming jealous of them to the point where they want to raid his crib, kill him, and steal his possessions, making Biggie prepare himself for anyone attempting to rob him. There is a mixture of riveting narrative, story telling, and braggadocio, though marred slightly by a predictable outro skit. It's not completely straightforward, but it works all the same. The beat is one of the hottest on here, with an organ-lick, a loud drum-loop, assorted guitars, and a thumping bassline. The title track is one of the darker songs that Biggie did in his career. The haunting, intensely violent lyricism is depressing to say the least and it definitely works (Sample: "In a sec I throw the tec to your neck/Everybody hit the deck, Biggie bout to get some wreck/Quick to leave you in a coffin, for slick talking/You better act like CeCe, and keep on walking/When I hit ya, I split ya to the white meat/You swung a left you swung a right you fell to the concrete/Your face, my feet, they meet, we're stomping
I'm rippin MC's from Tallahassee, to Compton"). The track mainly succeeds due to the amazing beat with a dark church organ, a loud drum-loop, an amazing guitar flick, and occasional scratching. "The What?" features Method Man and the two spit verses trying to outdo each other. It's a dope, unforgettable collaboration. You decide for yourself who is better. The production is surprisingly melodic, with synthesizers, some catchy keyboard effect, bass, and a drum-loop. "Juicy" is probably has the best lyrics on the album, with complex rhyming, honesty and introspection. The Trackmasterz produced this cut. "Everyday Struggle" has a really hot melodic beat with an opening rhythm that I've probably heard somewhere on a kid's children show when I was young. This isn't helpful, but this particular rhythm fire, accompanied by jazzy, mournful trumpets, a perfect drum-loop, and piano keys. The lyrics have to do with Biggie's drug-dealing times, and his hardships with this profession. The chorus is a definite standout. "Big Poppa" is a refreshing change of pace, with laid-back macking lyrics. The Trackmasterz beat is a standout, with an Isley Brothers sample and a loud and complex drum-loop. "Unbelievable" is a braggadocio cut, with dope, unimportant lyrics with excellent rhymes. DJ Premier's production is banging, so be sure you hear this track. "Suicidal Thoughts" is the disturbing finale where Biggie speaks to Puff Daddy over the phone about his contemplation of suicide. In doing this, he is introspective, socially conscious and truthful. This is scenario immediately followed up on the intro of "Life After Death". This track has the best beat.

No, I don't regard Biggie as the best emcee who ever lived, in fact I believe that he may have lost serious respect if he lived and continued to work through the years of Puff Daddy's rein of bling-bling rap. But this is unimportant. Biggie's album is highly recommended by me to all. Overall, Ready To Die is an absorbing album with many standouts.

Overall rating: 4.8 stars.

If you like this album, I would also recommend "AZ's "Doe Or Die"

i love this disc every track pure classic

Favorite Track:Gimme Da loot (all are classic)
Guests:Method Man and Easy Mo Bee

10 of 10 lyrics 10 of 10 beats

Christopher Williams -- AKA "Notorious B.I.G." -- literally set the rap world on its collective ear with his honest, eloquent and downright brutal debut, "Ready To Die."

KRS One once rhymed:

   You sit at home with a pen & a pad
   Going dad... mad... glad... bad... sad
   That style is from '78
   A little late

...and for the better part of the first 25 years of rap history, collective rap wasn't much more than precisely that: honest, legitimate, direct at best but without either deadpan playfulness or lyrical innovation once it emerged from the underground. What changed with this 1994 release is the relationship of the artist with the words employed. Up until now, rappers simply took words and used them wholesale to describe the world around them. Williams took an entirely new approach.

   We used to fuss when the landlord dissed us
   no heat
   wonder why christmas missed us.

Biggie left the words exactly where they were and moved through them in a way that was never before heard and has never been even remotely duplicated. He toyed with words, flipped them to shift every paradigm, rotated them through his fingers like a bored executive with a pen. Now, English not only had its previous linguistic weight, but a nuance of use that, again, was unprecedented. Previous rap efforts are, in contrast, an exercise in pounding square pegs into round holes. Not only did Williams' lyrics fit, there were no seams. It was as if rap had somehow become Shaker furniture.

In fact, Williams pieced the English language together in ways that make you wonder if the sequences weren't there all along, like E=Mc^2. Why didn't someone see this sooner?

As if comparing this debut to Einstein isn't over-the-top enough for you, listening to this album will place you in Williams' mind as a father, son, street hustler and emerging rap talent in a way that no artist may ever achieve again.

"Ready To Die" is pure genius and as influential to the rap genre as "Brothers in Arms," "90125," "OK Computer" and "Boston," were to their respective listeners, literally without peer in either breadth or depth. This is the very best that the 90's had to offer the rap scene and easily ranks in the most innovative and influential works irrespective of the decade whose company it keeps.