The Notorious B.I.G. - Ready to Die (Bad Boy - September 13, 1994)

Christopher George Latore Wallace, better known as The Notorious B.I.G., or Biggie Smalls, after his family won the rights to the name in a cock fight, is a now deceased emcee who originated from Bedford Stuyvesant in Brooklyn, New York. Biggie came from a very humble background of Jamaican immigrants trying to live the American Dream. Biggie lived in a very dangerous time and place, and his home situation wasn't better either. Smalls hated school but his mother bought junk food in order to keep him in school (seriously), but even despite his family's best efforts, by his late teen years he was slanging yay. Wallace looked like another statistic in the US ghettos.

Enter Puff Daddy.

In the early 90s in order to pass boredom in school Biggie began writing poems, lyrics, etc and started practicing his rapping. This was only on occasion though. However, good friend Puff Daddy realized Biggie had talent. By 1992 Smalls was practicing freestyles on the streets, and soon got a mainstream record deal. That record? The album above. It sold millions instantly, and shot Biggie into stardom among the many recognizable faces of hip hop by 1995. The rest is for another day, since this is only one part of the story. Now, with that out of the way, let's get on with the soup of the day.

1. INTRO - I don't care about any rap album intro, no matter the artist. It's still a pointless intro that's either some halfassed vent or more cliches. Sigh

2. THINGS DONE CHANGED - I'll be honest, I've never really liked this song so much. It's not bad, mind you, but I've heard better. Biggie manages to hold himself on a track that is pretty similar to Nas's NY State of Mind, but the beat isn't as memorable. Actually, I feel it's lacking. It sounds melodramatic, as if it sounds like it can't climax. A shame, I really liked Biggie's lyrics on here.

3. GIMMIE THE LOOT - A pretty classic track. The beat, courtesy of Easy Mo Bee, is pretty simple. It could've been better, but at least it's better than the previous track. Anyway, Biggie's storytelling of a contraband deal gone horribly wrong (sort of like Biggie's answer to Deep Cover) is just amazing. Biggie manages to smoothly get through the story while imitating a number of alter egos, but doesn't sound out of character. It goes to show how well Biggie was at his art.

4. MACHINE GUN FUNK - A pretty basic braggadocio song, of Biggie's boast and bullshit, as well as his love for the machine gun funk. This song is pretty good, but that's as much as I can say. It's pretty damn solid.

5. WARNING - I love this track. Like, I really love it. Smalls goes back to his usual strength of storytelling, this time rapping about being watched and paranoid without justified reason. Easy Mo Bee's beat is very atmospheric; it's quite slow and not over bearing, just slow smooth and moving like the drench of paranoia of this track. If only Biggie were around to rap about the National Security Agency.

6. READY TO DIE - Another paranoia track, but it's more of a catharsis if anything. Regardless, Biggie does a very good job of describing the daily troubles of a young black male in a ghetto. Seriously, this track is still pretty damn good to this day. Even if Easy Mo Bee's beat isn't as dramatic as I'd have preferred, it's still genius throughout.

7. ONE MORE CHANCE (ORIGINAL) - Where Biggie describes his various orgies and sex experiences. I'm not a huge fan of this one, even if Biggie's lyrics are quite good, especially for a topic most sound cheesy doing. Good job unleashing your inner Too $hort, Big!

8. FUCK ME - Fun fact - Lil Kim and Biggie actually had sex, and this was recorded. Otherwise, pointless.

9. THE WHAT (FT. METHOD MAN) - The only guest verse on Ready to Die (with the exception of a track that may or may not was supposed to be on here). It's a braggadocio, but a kickass one. Biggie holds his own against Wu member Method Man, and tear a pretty dope beat from Easy Mo Bee. Seriously, imagine if Biggie collaborated with the Wu. That could've fed children and shit.

10. JUICY - You know this one, needs no introduction. This probably plays on every 90s block everywhere. Interestingly enough, the original version, mixed by Pete Rock, was never sent; instead the remix (which is the album version) by Trackmasters was sent to publishing instead. The mistake was too little too late, and was released as a single, where the true original mix by Pete Rock was released as a B-side. The only real difference was a more boom bap drum set to the beat, but it's still ear pleasure, so I suggest you go find it.

11. EVERYDAY STRUGGLE - I like this song; Biggie's song is very quick and catchy. The beat, this time courtesy of the Bluez Brothers, knocks. Biggie's lyrics of everyday crime and struggle are entertaining. For song material that is usually depressing as hell, this song manages not to take itself too seriously, which is just awesome.

12. ME & MY BITCH - Romance tale. Not a fan of this one, sorry.

13. BIG POPPA - A blatant jack of the Isley Brother's In Between the Sheets. It's pretty much a remake, and a radio hit, and a G-funk copy, but I'm not a big fan of this one, it hasn't aged well. The Isley Brothers actually sued Bad Boy for unauthorized sampling, in 2004. 10 years after this song had made its mark widespread.

14. RESPECT - A boom bap copy beat which just sounds... strange. It's not the worst beat but man, it could've been a lot better, especially on top of an awful hook. Again, Biggie deserved a lot better than this.

15. FRIEND OF MINE - This beat was made in 1994? I have to admit this sounds quite ahead of its time. Hell, the beat could be remixed into a pulsating EDM beat, and no one would notice. Biggie's performance isn't too special, so this isn't something you'll be listening to every night.

16. UNBELIEVABLE - Now this is more like it. Seriously, I fucking love this track. DJ Premier plus Biggie is like almond butter on sourdough, its just amazing. The beat reminds me of laundromats, I have to admit. Nonetheless, this track is pretty damn awesome. Boom it in your headset, I tell you!

17. SUICIDAL THOUGHTS - Biggie's own catharsis on contemplating suicide. It's still a pretty dramatic track, if not creepy, especially given that Smalls died not too long after. It still sounds very strong, and is one of the best songs dealing with this subject. Biggie, you were the man for this one.

Hold your horses, we're not done yet.

B-SIDES TO TRACK DOWN.

18. WHO SHOT YA - Aka the song where Biggie supposedly reveals he organized the 2Pac shooting in 1994 even though in context doesn't sound so at all. All I know is that this track rocks. Nashiem Myrick's beat sounds so dark and menacing, like shit is about to go down. Biggie's lyrics don't fail, making this a must find.

19. ONE MORE CHANCE (REMIX) (FT. FAITH EVANS) - AKA the version played to death on radio. It's pretty incredible how Biggie could write about sex so well. He's better than that awful 50 Shades of Grey movie. Overall, if you need to listen to something while getting your club on, this isn't a bad song to turn to.

20. JUST PLAYING (DREAMS) - Re-released in 2004 in the remaster. It's a short and sweet one; Biggie pretty much fantasizes about exotic women he'll have sex with, again his inner Too $hort being seen here. It's not a bad track; it's like a 90s hip hop answer to all those terrible crush on a girl 2000s rock songs you probably played to death in high school.

21. RUNNIN' (FROM THA POLICE) (FEAT. 2PAC, DRAMACYDAL, BUJU BANTON & STRETCH) - I'm not sure if there is definitive proof this song was going to be on Ready to Die, but it was shelved from the original Thug Life album and never made it's way on 2Pac's Me Against the World, only being released on the 1995 compilation One Million Strong. Regardless, it's significant for being a living 2Pac-The Notorious B.I.G. collaboration, a pairing which had a whole lot of potential. It's bittersweet; Biggie and 2Pac both take the cake while Dramacydal hold their own. Easy Mo Bee's beat is dark, tragic, but kick ass.

And with that, we're done with Ready to Die. Huh.

FINAL WORD: Ready to Die is a classic. I'll admit, it's definitely not perfect; the production isn't 100% consistent throughout, and obviously some songs aren't great. But overall, Biggie delivered a very strong fucking debut. It's timeless, and it's definitely still worth listening today. You have to wonder the things Biggie might have accomplished. Then again, let's not kid ourselves. It probably would've involved the same bullshit trends that were inevitable. But Biggie's loss is still very much felt in 2016.

BUY OR BURN? - Buy, buy, buy. Simple. Don't make this difficult.

BEST TRACKS - "Unbelievable", "Juicy", "Gimmie the Loot", "Warning", "Ready to Die"

Cormega - The Realness (July 22, 2001 - Legal Hustle/LandSpeed Records)

Oh boy, where do we start here?

Cory McKay, better known as Cormega, is a rapper/emcee from the Queensbridge neighborhood of Queens, New York, and is one of many notable emcees to come from said area.

Cormega's career started as a mostly underground rapper coming out in the very late 80s and early 90s, though soon enough his promising career was cut short by a bid. He even received a shout out in 1994 on the album Illmatic on One Love, giving the man more fame than his music did at the time. After his bid ended in 1995, McKay was determined to better himself and pursue a career in rapping. Through his friend Nas, the man joined the Firm, alongside rookie Foxy Brown and promising sophomore AZ, with beats through Dr. Dre. He did well enough on the song Affirmative Action on It Was Written that he got a deal from Def Jam. Things looked rosy and beautiful.

Of course not.

Cormega had a falling out with Nas, or more specifically Steve Stoute, Nas' manager, under circumstances unclear (some cite creative differences; others Stoute preferring Nature or in-fighting). Regardless, it was ugly, and would start a beef between Nas and Cormega that would last for years. To make matters worse, more in-fighting at Def Jam lead to his original debut, The Testament, shelved indefinitely. He had some pretty unlucky years.

Eventually, after getting released from his lame duck contract at Def Jam, Cormega formed his own label (Legal Hustle) and began recording his new LP, The Realness. After already striking twice, you had to hope three was the charm. The Realness was released to genuine acclaim by critics, which of course meant no one bought it.

It's 2016, does this LP still hold strong?

1. DRAMATIC ENTRANCE - And we start off, and immediately we know Mega isn't fucking around. Cory's lyrics, which are mostly introspective and about his struggle in the music industry, and betrayal. I liked Cory's lyrics, they hit like bread and almond butter. J-Love's beat sounds very peaceful and eloquent, yet also has a very strong vibe, like this is the beginning, this is a statement. This wasn't long, but already Mega ships this home.

2. AMERICAN BEAUTY - A lot of bloggers and critics love this but honestly I'm not a fan of this track. Common had already done this before with "I Used to Love H.E.R.", so this feels like a rehash, even if McKay's lyrics towards hip hop are heart-felt. Mega's own beat is a bit plodding and honestly boring. Overall, a skipable track.

3. THUN & KICKO (FEAT. PRODIGY) - Now this is more like it. Both of our hosts, Prodigy and Mega, just freaking tear shit up here. Havoc's beat, while plodding, just knocks, since it moves slowly, it creeps, yet moves fast enough to get you both pumped. Both artist target different opponents; Prodigy with Jay-Z, while Cormega goes after Nas. Regardless, this stirred up a lot of beef with all camps, so it served its purpose. Awesome song!

4. THE SAGA - I was never a fan of this song either; the beat feels incomplete and just plods; it's a boring beat without much depth. That's not to detract from Mega's rhymes, which are rock-solid and describe a world of despair, sadness, and hopelessness. Mega deserved a lot better than this.

5. R U MY NIGGA - Like the previous beat on The Saga, Jae Supreme cooks up a beat which just lacks depth; it's not the worst beat I've heard, but it could've been a lot better. Of course, Cormega's rhymes are particularly strong here, discussing loyalty and trust. I like Mega's ironic lines "Only bitches deal with emotion, Yo son, how many snitches are still in the ocean, I'm gettin too deep, spittin unique". Also, really nice wordplay by Mega.

6. UNFORGIVEN - I actually really like this one. It's a short and sweet one, where Mega drops some good rhymes when it comes not just to betrayal, but also paranoia. Spank Brother's beat isn't the best, but sounds dramatic as fuck still, so overall this actually kicked ass.

7. FALLEN SOLDIERS - Fucking awesome. Mega's rhymes of deceased brethren are just heartfelt and straight forward throughout. Seriously, the dude raps with raw emotion, which, when done correctly, can conjure a fucking amazing track. J-Love gives us another banging beat, using Wet Willie's "Beggar's Song" to great effect. Seriously, if there were a list of best mourning tracks in rap, this is one of them.

8. GLORY DAYS - Another kickass song, this time Mega giving us a taste of memory lane as well as what it's like to reach the top, with some cynicism and caution mixed it. Jae Supreme's beat is as pleasant as honeydew here, creating a peaceful, yet almost mournful vibe for the listener. Also, is it just me, or is the bass to Guns n Roses Sweet Child o Mine used here? Probably not, but still, awesome.

9. RAP'S A HUSTLE - I guess this is sort of like a remake to American Beauty. I'll admit, Cory's first verse trying to compare stealing a girl (that's hip hop) to some dude's pen and pad is unintentionally hilarious. It reminds me of little kids playing with toys, as if they're living real things. His second verse comparing it to the drug trade hits on point though. I liked Ayatollah's soul-derived chipmunk beat; it sounds very nostalgic, peaceful, and even childish. This wasn't bad either.

10. GET OUT OF MY WAY - I thought this song was all right. Sha Money XL's beat is dramatic, but a bit too busy. Cormega shit talks and rips shit up, which works in this song's favor. Not the most memorable of songs though.

11. YOU DON'T WANT IT - Okay, this song is definitely about Nas. I thought that Godfather Don's beat was pretty decent, but like many beats on here, lacks that special edge... just doesn't feel complete. But Mega just tears shit up here, venting his frustrations towards Nas, even describing him as a brain surgeon.

12. 5 FOR 40 - If I wanted spoken poetry I'd go to a cafe, thanks.

13. THEY FORCED MY HAND (FEAT. TRAGEDY KHADAFI) - I really like Spunk Bigga's beat here; the beat here just smacks, with a good ol' chipmunk sample overlapping. The beat is perfect for both Mega and Tragedy just tearing shit to minces here. Lyrically instead of boasts and bullshit we get lyrics about overcoming the struggle, which again, are on point. Still a regular listen on my playlist.

14. FALLEN SOLDIERS (ALCHEMIST REMIX) - Eh, I still prefer the original, although Mega's new lyrics including a verse about his mother are strong.

15. KILLAZ THEME II (FEAT. MOBB DEEP) (HIDDEN) - This shit just knocks. Seriously, I love this track. Havoc's unorthodox but kick-ass sampling of the Twilight Zone theme is intimidating. Mobb Deep's boasts, alongside Cormega, just take this one home here.

B-SIDES/BOOTLEGS TO TRACK DOWN

NEVER PERSONAL (FEAT MIKE DELOREAN) - This was a track that somewhat leaked out to the media, but was mostly circulated around NY. This, unlike some previous tracks, is a full on attack on Nas, calling him from insults that range from a false gangbanger to a derogatory term for a homosexual. Nonetheless, Mega's rhymes are pretty awesome, over a banging 90s-style NY beat, even if Mike Delorean is a weed carrier you'll never hear from again.

FINAL WORD: The Realness is far from perfect. It's inconsistent, much of the beat selection is questionable, and there's a bit to be desired. Nonetheless, Cormega shows why he is one of the most highly regarded underground emcees out there, with absolutely raw emotion and lyrics. For an album that wasn't even meant to be a proper debut, this is pretty good. It's timeless, suffice to say.

BUY OR BURN? - I'd recommend a buy. There was a time where this was hard to come by, but it has been re-released multiple times. Support good, real hip hop.

BEST TRACKS - "Fallen Soldiers", "They Forced My Hand", "Thun & Kicko", "Glory Days". "Killaz Theme II"