5 Songs that Remind Me how Dope Biggie Was
(Note: This contains explicit language)
If Christopher Wallace were alive, he’d turn 46 years old today. To put that into perspective, if Biggie were alive, he’d be the same age as Shaquille O’Neal, Common and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Basically, he wouldn’t be old at all, even Jay-Z has about 3 years on him. When I think about that, it’s even more amazing how talented this man was to be so young, and to be at the height of his career. This was somebody was only 24 when he died, and was able to write compelling stories, use complex rhyme schemes and most of all, describe about what was going on in his world through his raps in an entertaining, sometimes comical, raw way.
In honor of one of the greatest to ever pick up a mic, here are 5 songs which always remind me of how talented he was:
This is the memorable opening track to disc 2 of Biggie’s 1997 Life After Death album. Simply put — Biggie’s flow on this song is immaculate. Now, you’ve got to understand that in the mid 90s, Bone Thugs were in a league of their own and had very distinctive style. Few people expected to hear Biggie turn up the tempo and match their rapid-fire flow, but that’s exactly what he did. Even though Biggie is only on the first verse of this song, he makes his mark. There’s no Biggie song like it and it often makes me wonder how his style may have evolved over the years had he lived longer.
You know a rapper is skilled when they can make a song about serial armed robbery sound entertaining. One of the main things that makes this song unique is that it’s rapped in two distinct voices from the perspective of two different characters. One being a loud, high-pitched voiced, skittish and impulsive sidekick robber and the other a calmer, confident and methodical head robber. Both voices on this song are Biggie’s, just one is his normal voice and the other is exaggerated for dramatic effect, but its so good that sometimes you feel as if you’re listening to two different people. The song won me over with gritty, yet, comical lines like:
“(Sidekick robber:) Oh shit, the cops!
(Lead robber:) Be cool, fool, they ain’t gonna roll up/
All they want is fucking donuts!”
So even though technically this isn’t Biggie’s song, it’s still a testament as to how talented this man was. On this track from Jay-Z’s 1996 debut album, Reasonable Doubt, the two premiere Brooklyn MC’s go in sort of a two-man rap relay race where they just take turns with hardcore, yet braggadocious verses. Yet, one of Biggie’s verses on this song always stood out to me:
“Me and Gutter had 2 spots
The 2-for-5 dollar hits, the blue tops
Gotta go, Coolio mean it’s getting “Too Hot”
If Fay’ had twins, she’d probably have two Pacs
Get it? … Tu-pac’s?”
For those who don’t get it, during Biggie’s beef with Tupac, Tupac taunted Biggie by claiming to have slept with his wife, Faith Evans. Not long after these claims came out, Faith was pregnant and it was believed that she might have twins. Despite being initially angered by Tupac’s claims, Biggie flipped it into a seemingly self-deprecating joke. Well played. Though, I’m not sure what Faith thought about that line.
This dark, ominous track from Life After Death has always been one of my favorites. What makes this stand out to me is the fact that although the song mentions no names, Biggie seems to be talking to someone very specific.
“When my men bust, you just move with such stamina
Slugs missed ya, I ain’t mad at ya (we ain’t mad at ya)”
And
“I’m flamin’ gats, aimin’ at
These fuckin’ maniacs, put my name in raps”
Anyone who is familiar with the climate of hip hop in ’96 (when this was recorded) it almost 100% certain that this was an indirect diss to Tupac… Which is part of the reason why I love it. Tupac dissed Biggie (as well as Bad Boy as a staff, a record label and a crew) countless times, so by mid ’96, a response was already long overdue. Plus, I’ve always been always curious to know what a direct Tupac diss from Biggie would’ve sounded like.
Many hip-hop fans (myself included) believe that although Tupac was a great artist, Biggie was, technically, the more skilled, versatile MC and could’ve lyrically destroyed him if he wanted to… And this is coming from a Tupac fan. Although this record is slightly vague, it just gives a glimpse into what kind of fire Biggie could have easily spit back at him.
Hearing this song showed me how vulnerable rappers could be and put me into the shoes of a young man coming into adulthood yet dealing with the pressures of poverty, violence, and general stress. The hook itself captures you from the start:
“I don’t wanna live no more
Sometimes I hear death knocking at my front door
I’m living every day like a hustle, another drug to juggle
Another day, another struggle”
In the first verse, Biggie skillfully describes the stress that comes along with selling drugs, and the way in which people are perceived by society when they decide to make money my illegal means:
“…People look at you like you’s the user
Selling drugs to all the losers, mad buddha abuserBut they don’t know about your stress-filled day
Baby on the way, mad bills to pay
That’s why you drink Tanqueray, so you can reminisce
And wish, you wasn’t living so devilish”
The part about being able to “reminisce, and wish, you wasn’t living so devilish” always caught me. It shows a bit of regret and a longing for lost innocence; Powerful stuff.
Overall, Biggie will forever be one of the best to ever do it. Do yourself a favor and really listen to some of his work, you won’t be disappointed.
