by The Notorious B.I.G.
Released March 25, 1997 via Bad Boy Records / Arista Records
Reviewed March 17, 2022
Top tracks (based on community voting)
Hypnotize (65%), Mo Money Mo Problems (58%), Notorious Thugs (31%)
The notorious master of rhythm and flow delivered a true classic with his project Life After Death. Biggie put the mantra of East Coast gangsta rap on his back with 24 legendary tracks. Back when rap was still a raw form of expression, there were no subliminals, only direct threats, as Biggie spares no feelings across these 24 songs. He raps about “corny” dudes, trifling girls, and flaunts his swagger in a bodacious fashion. This man could not be contained, especially with beats so timeless;the production perfectly personifies what the B.I.G. was to so many. – Daniel (9/10)
The second and final album from New York legend Biggie Smalls is a great send off to a career cut far too short. A sprawling double disc containing 24 cuts, Life After Death showed the potential of what was to come while also capping off an incredible set of back-to-back albums. Tension is felt all throughout the album, almost like he knew the end was coming for him. That intensity is presented lyrically and with his vocals all across the album, with a sense of immediacy that wasn’t fully present on the debut. There are a few tracks that this album could do without, but overall, this album is still captivating over 25 years later. – Jared (8/10)
The final chapter in Christopher Wallace's short-lived lifetime before his untimely death in March of 1997—just two weeks short of this album’s release date—served as proof that his irresistible, smooth and impeccable approach to hip-hop was going to be something of a long-lived rap phenomenon, with or without his presence to drive it home. The intensity of the small window in which the world got to view the enigmatic character of The Notorious B.I.G. shone so bright that it still shines until this very day, 25+ years thereafter. The feeling of impending doom is hard to dismiss while listening to Life After Death. You get the uncomfortable feeling through skits and subject matter that Biggie's cards had been dealt, fully understood, and his fate fully sealed and accepted long in advance. Life After Death is one of the finest double albums in hip-hop history, while also being one of the finest farewells. – Peter (8/10)
Daniel: 9/10 | Pax: 8.9/10 | DeVán: 8.5/10 | Dominick: 8/10
Hadley: 8/10 | Jared: 8/10 | Peter: 8/10 | Cam: 7.8/10
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