R.I.P. to the One of the Hip-Hop MC Greats - Christopher Wallace a.k.a. The Notorious B.I.G.


May 21, 1972 – March 9, 1997

It's kind of strange to think that over 12 years ago on this day, a New York City MC representing Brooklyn known as Christopher Wallace a.k.a. The Notorious B.I.G. a.k.a. Biggie was shot down and killed in California.

I still remember being in my dorm room at Rutgers University and waking up to a very subdued Hot 97 Morning show talking about his sad and violent death (still unsolved by the legal authorities in this country) and playing his songs throughout the day, being shocked that not even 12 hours before, a crew of us were watching folks on the Soul Train Music awards.

A few days later, his final full album of work, Life After Death was dropped on the masses and on sale everywhere, including the indie rock spots on campus that almost NEVER sold any form of Hip-Hop music.

I think that however folks feel about his status as a Top 5, 10, 25 or 50 MC, B.I.G. had what few of the new era mainstream or independent Hip-Hop MCs seem totally grasp at times - it's not just about a hot beat or verse, but about making hot SONGS along with a strong PERSONALITY behind them.

With just two albums, the Notorious B.I.G. made an impact for not just his region, but nationally and internationally as a Black Music artist showing both the ups and downs of a life - everything in his songs was covered from severe depression to the ultimate high of fame, from how folks viewed him from being rich to poor (literally "ashy to classy") and many other stories, real and imagined.

Regardless of his flaws during his short life with various personal issues (which before B.I.G. died, it seemed like he was trying to get things together), personally I feel that absolute for him being an artist can't be denied.

Condolences from the BlackRadioIsBack.com and FuseBox Radio Broadcast family to his family, friends and fans.

Some of the best most recent tribute mixtapes to The Notorious B.I.G. are below for folks to download & enjoy:





DJ Drama and Cookin Soul: The Notorious B.I.G. Mixtape
Download Link

Tracklisting:

1. DJ Drama Intro
2. Tek (Smif-n-Wessun) - Juicy
3. Grafh - Things Done Changed
4. LA the Darkman & Willie the Kid - World is Filled
5. Freekey Zekey & 730 Dips - Dreams
6. CL Smooth & Skyzoo - Big Poppa
7. De La Ghetto - Ready to die
8. Styles P - Kick in the door
9. Emilio Rojas - Young Gs
10. Nipsey Hussle - Another
11. Shiest Bubz - Going back to Cali
12. Miss Info interlude
13. Lil Cease & Cardan - Ten Crack Commandments
14. Amanda Diva - Get Money
15. Dough skit
16. LA the Darkman & Willie the Kid - I Love the Dough
17. Jean Grae - Hypnotize
18. Uncle Murda - Long Kiss Goodnight
19. Chaundon - Who Shot Ya its Over
20. P. Diddy Outro





DJ Noodles Presents: Biggie & Akon: Soul Survivors 2009
Download Link

Tracklisting:

1. Best Of Both Worlds (Biggie & Akon)
2. Out Here Grindin (Biggie, Akon)
3. On Me (Biggie, Akon) Produced by DJ Noodles
4. Go Get It (Biggie, Akon, Red Cafe)
5. My Dream (Biggie, Akon, Kanye West)
6. Still Kill (Biggie, Akon)
7. Look At Me Now (Biggie, Akon) Produced by DJ Noodles
8. You Like My Swagger (Biggie, Akon)
9. Gun In Hand (Biggie & Akon)
10. Going Back To Compton (Biggie)
11. Let It Clap (Biggie & Akon)
12. 6 In The Morning (Biggie, Akon)
13. Hustler Story (Biggie, Akon, Red Cafe, Glasses Malone) Produced by DJ Noodles