Ready to Die: Remastered/+DVD

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Binding: Audio CD EAN: 0602498628010 Format: CD+DVD Label: Bad Boy Manufacturer: Bad Boy Number Of Discs: 1 Publisher: Bad Boy Release Date: 2005-11-14 Studio: Bad Boy
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Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: Genius Comment: The legend of Tupac Shakur has only grown since his death, not least due to how suprisingly prolific he is from beyond the grave. With the West Coast practically ruling gangsta rap in the early nineties, it says something for Biggie Smalls a.k.a. Notorious BIG that he almost single-handedly shifted attention back onto the East Coast in 1994, and that with only two proper albums his legacy measures up to Tupac's. Indeed, many still consider him to be the greatest to ever pick up the mic, and this album is the majority of the reasoning behind that stance. Ready To Die, rather than a conventional gangsta album, is a conceptual album about the rise and fall of a hustler and gangsta, played, of course, by Notorious BIG himself. It's gritty, it's dark, it's defiantly hardcore and most definitely not for everybody. Infused with an almost casual misogyny and violence and a blackhearted sense of humour, Biggie doesn't meet the audience halfway and it results in an album that few have equalled and even fewer have bettered. The album is split between two camps - the poppier side, helmed but mercifully not smothered by Puff Daddy (who's corrupting touch would detract from the follow up album), is covered by the likes of 'Big Poppa' or big single 'Juicy.' They are all fine songs, 'Juicy' in particular a sweaty anthem but one depicting a bleak childhood where 'birthdays were the worst days' and 'Christmas missed us.' As a rags-to-riches tale, it's far more compelling than say, Jay-Z's. The other, even better side of the album is the gangsta drama side. With only one guest MC on the album - Method Man, making an amusing, oddly adorable turn on 'The What' - it's down to Biggie himself to cover all the players in his rap opera, and he does so with gusto. 'Me And My B*h' tells the tale of a woman caught in the crossfire of his hustling career; opener 'Things Done Changed' is a blackly comic account of how being young and black the only way out of the slums is 'slinging crack rock' or having 'a wicked jump shot.' Best of all is the remarkable 'Gimme The Loot,' in which Biggie plays two different characters, one fresh out of jail as they start a new crime spree. It's wicked, it's funny and it's Biggie at his best. The follow up album, Life After Death, portentous title and all, was a grander statement, overblown and almost as good. But his real masterpiece remains Ready To Die. don't remember him for mediocre posthumous duets with Nelly and Ja Rule and Ashanti. Remember him this way. (P.S. The DVD, featuring a rubbish live video and all the album's promos, is a take-or-leave situation with little bearing on the purchase. The bonus tracks, however, are well worth having.) Customer Rating: Summary: In the beginning there was Biggie Comment: Give respect where respect's due . . . Puffy hasn't done much to impress in his time on the earth but he gave us the Juggernaut that is the B.I.G! Many people rate Life After Death better than Biggie's debut effort but i disagree. While the West Coast sound around this time preached of Gansta Livin, low riding and blunt smoking the East Coast erupted with a man that had seen in all - raw style. Biggie's flow, in my opinion can only be matched by Big Pun and it shows on this album. It gives the feel that he recorded all the tracks flat on his back in the plushest of beds. Too few noted Hip Hop artists have a more relaxed flow than Biggie. Biggie strings a story together very well and takes you along with him - check "Gimme the loot" and "Machine Gun Funk". I listen to this album often and it's only downfall is that it suffers from something that alot of Hip Hop debuts suffer - the fact that it's quite clearly a colection of material recorded at different times. Hence the constant too-ing and fro-ing between elation and suicide. But saying that it's clearly a very honest album and despite what most might think this man is not hiding behind the bravado - he IS the bravado! You'll love it if: flow and timing are your guide to good Hip Hop You'll loathe it if: You're a die hard Pac fan or feel an album should be recorded in one sitting. Customer Rating: Summary: how ya living biggie smalls !!!!!!! Comment: Some people say this is one of the best hip hop albums ever they are wrong this is one of the best albums period. If you like hip hop buy this album if you dont like hip hop buy this album. Highlights include GIMMMIE THE LOOT, WAITING JUICY AND BIG POPPA but there is not a bad verse let alone song on this record so simply get this album... r.i.p biggie,2pac,big pun, jam master jay and proof Customer Rating: Summary: Brilliant Comment: This is one of the best rap albums ever made, brilliant production from puff, very funky beats and biggies wicked flow over it. Every song is a classic and also great humour in some of them but at the same time seroius songs like suicidal thoughts. If u dont own this get it, your lifeis not complete without it. it will take your breath away Customer Rating: Summary: Big up to Biggie Comment:** I only wish he was alive today as I would not miss the chance to see him live. I love Biggie's work, and 'Ready to Die' is his best stuff by far...and also my favourite album. I wont go into the genius behind the lyrics and beats, this would take forever! All I want to say is, you'll be amazed at Big's intelligent and so witty lyrics which roll satisfyingly over slow fat beats, and the quality riffs he has developed over bouncy, old skool beats. Buy it buy it buy it! BIGGIE FOREVER More Reviews