Today marks 14 years since we lost “Biggie” to an unknown assailant in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles. I was listening to his music last night and his lyrical style has been untouched and unmatched. The story of a drug dealer turned rap legend rings true in his words and music.
These are my Top Ten Notorious B.I.G. verses that amaze me and other hip hop fans.
10. “Your moms will set that a– up/ Properly gassed up/ Hoodied and masked up/ For that fast buck/ She’ll be laying in the kitchen to light that a– up”
–‘Ten Crack Commandments‘
9. “I got techniques drippin’ out my buttcheeks/ Sleep on my stomach so I don’t f— up my sheets”
–‘Ready to Die‘
8. “I was a terror since the public school era/ Bathroom passes, cutting classes, squeezing a–es”
–‘Party & Bulls—‘
7. “N—-s wanna creep gotta watch my back/ Think the Cognac and Indo sack make me slack”
–‘Who Shot Ya‘
6. “Because the streets is a short stop/ Either you’re slingin’ crack rock or you got a wicked jumpshot”
–‘Things Done Changed‘
5. “Money and blood don’t mix like 2 d—s with no chick/ Find yourself in serious s—”
–‘Ten Crack Commandments‘
4. “Also known as the bon appetite/ Rappers can’t sleep need sleepin’/ Big keep creepin’/ Bullets heat seekin’/ Casualties need treatin’/ Dumb rappers need teachin'”
–‘Unbelievable‘
3. “Laugh now cry later, I rhyme greater/ Than the average playa hater, and spectators/ Buy my CD twice, they see me in the streets, They be like, ‘Yo, he nice’/ But that’s on the low doe”
–‘Long Kiss Goodnight‘
2. “Your reign on the top was short like leprechauns, As I crush so-called willies, thugs, and rapper-dons. Get in that ass, quick fast, like Ramadan” —Kick In the Door
1. “Whatcha think all the guns is for? All purpose war got the Rottweilers by the door. And I feed ’em gunpowder, so they can devour – the criminals, tryin to drop my decimals.
–Warning
Who can argue with his vision and description of the life of a hustler trying to get out of the game. In my opinion, he was the best and no one has come close to his style and content.
Check out a rare-interview with Biggie.
