CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS:
Seriously, I probably owe Nas, Faith Newman, Colombia Records et. al alot of money ... lol. As I have candidly mentioned on Livestyle previously, I had the "Illmatic" album, literally, like 2 years before it ever hit retail. That album and, thanks to my friendship with Stretch Armstrong & Bobbito - which gave me unprecedented access to the crème de la crème of Hip Hop, only made me that much more popular Freshman year of High School. Sure, I made some money off of my ill gotten exclusive cassette tapes, however, I gave away much more tapes than I ever sold because I simply wanted my peoples to be up on the newest and the flyest shit as well. See, the Livestyle philosophy predates this blog by over a decade - this is just technology catching up to the kid. Anyway, fueled by a passion for music, what started with "Illmatic" only continued to spiral out of control as the years spun by and I twisted my radio dial. All that I can remember is that, somehow, some way, I eventually landed my skinny little hands on the uncut O.G. version of Biggie's "Ready To Die" album.
Typical of most cassettes circulating the hood back then, my copy must have been a copy of a copy of a copy of a copy and it had all of the air "hissing" and "crackles" to prove it. No matter, to me such audio aberrations only added character and provenance to my new found Brooklyn bounty. I had become familiar with Biggie from joints like "Party And Bullshit" and Super Cat's "Dolly My Baby (Remix)", but, aside from the buzz surrounding him, I couldn't really call it with the homie.
In light of Biggie's untimely passing, historical revisionists would like Y.O.U. to believe that, as soon as Biggie busted out of the gate, niggas knew what time it was and it was clear that he was destined to be the greatest MC of all time. Hogwash! I'ma keep it funky with Y.O.U. - straight cheese yall. When Biggie was about to drop, me, my-longest-running-friend-and-brother-from-another-mother Mr. 401K, my cousin Courtney AKA Lite (my exclusive music partner in crime) and our Brooklyn streets were wrapped up in a Wu-Tang/Nas/Black Moon/Smif & Wessun frenzy my nig ... real talk. In fact, while I was feeling the album that I had from Biggie, I expected more from him as an artist (NOTE: Yes, once upon a time, even 14 year old children had high musical standards). Not until the official release of "Ready To Die" did full Biggie pandemonium set in for me and, indeed, the world. Puff (not quite Diddy yet) in his infinite industry wisdom masterfully re-worked the demo sessions that I had on my bootleg tape, scrapping some songs and producing other entirely new soundscapes, that complemented Biggie's graphic gutter tales, yet encouraged him to expand his topic matter, thereby better acquainting his audience with his rags to riches, grams and bitches wishes for a better life than the fucked up fate that awaited him on the pre-gentrification street of Fulton.
Chronologically, we all know what happened next. I could go on for days about Christopher Wallace AKA Biggie Smalls AKA The Notorious B.I.G., but, I will just say, as an MC today, he and his music have left an indelible mark on my own music and soul - for me, the 2 go hand in hand. On the eve of the nation wide release of the "Notorious" biopic based on his life I had to give Y.O.U. my very personal perspective on this man and his work. For your listening and viewing pleasure I put together a few of the homie's greatest hits after the jump.
Yes, Biggie died waaaaaaaaaay too soon, but, his reign on the top was NOT short like leprechauns. Y.O.U. already know. The crown stays in Brooklyn.
Typical of most cassettes circulating the hood back then, my copy must have been a copy of a copy of a copy of a copy and it had all of the air "hissing" and "crackles" to prove it. No matter, to me such audio aberrations only added character and provenance to my new found Brooklyn bounty. I had become familiar with Biggie from joints like "Party And Bullshit" and Super Cat's "Dolly My Baby (Remix)", but, aside from the buzz surrounding him, I couldn't really call it with the homie.
In light of Biggie's untimely passing, historical revisionists would like Y.O.U. to believe that, as soon as Biggie busted out of the gate, niggas knew what time it was and it was clear that he was destined to be the greatest MC of all time. Hogwash! I'ma keep it funky with Y.O.U. - straight cheese yall. When Biggie was about to drop, me, my-longest-running-friend-and-brother-from-another-mother Mr. 401K, my cousin Courtney AKA Lite (my exclusive music partner in crime) and our Brooklyn streets were wrapped up in a Wu-Tang/Nas/Black Moon/Smif & Wessun frenzy my nig ... real talk. In fact, while I was feeling the album that I had from Biggie, I expected more from him as an artist (NOTE: Yes, once upon a time, even 14 year old children had high musical standards). Not until the official release of "Ready To Die" did full Biggie pandemonium set in for me and, indeed, the world. Puff (not quite Diddy yet) in his infinite industry wisdom masterfully re-worked the demo sessions that I had on my bootleg tape, scrapping some songs and producing other entirely new soundscapes, that complemented Biggie's graphic gutter tales, yet encouraged him to expand his topic matter, thereby better acquainting his audience with his rags to riches, grams and bitches wishes for a better life than the fucked up fate that awaited him on the pre-gentrification street of Fulton.
Chronologically, we all know what happened next. I could go on for days about Christopher Wallace AKA Biggie Smalls AKA The Notorious B.I.G., but, I will just say, as an MC today, he and his music have left an indelible mark on my own music and soul - for me, the 2 go hand in hand. On the eve of the nation wide release of the "Notorious" biopic based on his life I had to give Y.O.U. my very personal perspective on this man and his work. For your listening and viewing pleasure I put together a few of the homie's greatest hits after the jump.
Yes, Biggie died waaaaaaaaaay too soon, but, his reign on the top was NOT short like leprechauns. Y.O.U. already know. The crown stays in Brooklyn.
Streaming Audio/Download Link: Notorious B.I.G. feat. Sadat X - Come On (Unreleased)
Streaming Audio/Download link: Notorious_B.I.G._Ft._Method_Man_-_The_What (Alternate_Version)
Streaming Audio/Download Link: The Notorious B.I.G. & Craig Mack - Ready To Die & Project Funk Da World (Album Sampler)
Original Livestyle Post: B.I.G. Mack Attack - Bad Boy Style.
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1 comment:
Classic, Classic, fucken classic..
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