Notorious BIG Born Again

Posted on 12.7.1999

Notorious B.I.G.
Album : Born Again
Release Date : December 7, 1999
Label : Bad Boy

Customer Review :
The rap community was rocked when they learned of the tragic drive-by shooting of Christopher Wallace on March 9, 1997. Now, with the release of this posthumous album, he is Born Again. I, for one, was ecstatic when I heard of this. The Notorious B.I.G. is one of my personal favourite rappers. His songs all have this certain je ne sais quois, this particular Biggieness to them. This album is no exception.

When I started listening to this CD, I was saddened. The intro is an excerpt from an interview with Big Poppa. He is asked where he wants to be in ten years, and the first thing he answers is, "just livin’." Fortunately, it goes straight into one of the most upbeat, catchiest hip-hop songs I have ever heard, Notorious. This song’s hook has been in my head since I first heard it. Every once in a while, I start going "No, No, No, Notorious !" and people think I’m insane or something. Nearly all the songs are like this.

If you are fairly new to the rap game, go buy this right now. It showcases nearly every popular MC in the world. From Missy Elliot to Snoop Doggy Dogg, they’re all here. I noticed two particularly notable absences, however. Bad Boy Entertainment promised verses from Lauryn Hill and Will Smith, neither of which appears on here. Also missing is anything from Bad Boy’s Next Big Thing, Shyne. Since he sounds almost exactly like Biggie, it would have been interesting to have him rapping on here.

Everything about this album sounds right. The Notorious’ verses are tight, and his lyrics are top-notch, if a little nasty. Some of the songs are a little old, and one of them (Let Me Get Down) sounds just like Bad Boy’s first hit single, Flava in Ya Ear. This album has all kinds of rap on it. There’s some oldskool scratching (Rap Phenomenon), some pop sampling (Notorious), and some disorganized shouting (Tonight).

All in all, this is a landmark album in hip-hop history that everyone should have in his or her collection. I just can’t think of a single bad thing to say about it. Born Again is a true masterpiece.

Track Listing :
1. Born Again (Intro)
2. Notorious B.I.G.
3. Dead Wrong
4. Hope You Niggas Sleep
5. Dangerous MC’s
6. Biggie
7. Niggas
8. Big Booty Hoes
9. Would You Die for Me
10. Come On
11. Rap Phenomenon
12. Let Me Get Down
13. Tonight
14. If I Should Die Before I Wake
15. Who Shot Ya
16. Can I Get Witcha
17. I Really Want to Show You
18. Ms. Wallace (Outro)