Notorious BIG - Greatest Hits Album

A decade after his murder turned the Hip-Hop community upside down, Bad Boy records released the second post-humous Biggie Smalls album, titled Greatest Hits.  While his musical prominence lives on, this effort seems little more than cashing in on anniversary of the legendary rapper’s death.

While the album contains two “new” tracks, it doesn’t provide any extra incentive for long time Biggie fans to dive in.  The 17 track album leaves out some of his biggest hits such as Mo Money Mo Probelms, Party & Bullshit, Gimme the Loot, Goin’ Back to Cali and Sky’s The Limit.  Perhaps this should have been a two disc album?  I think so.

And in the age of CD Burners, there isn’t much to this album - it’s just a heavily promoted Notorious BIG mix tape. With 10 years to prepare for a Greatest Hits album for arguably the Greatest Rapper ever, one would think that P. Diddy would have greater plans for his greatest friend.  Why not have a two disc compilation - the first being Biggie classics and the second featuring new artists paying tribute, with original tracks and remixes?

The answer is in the dollars.  Slap a few songs together, label it Greatest Hits, put on a couple new songs and watch the dough roll in.  It doesn’t do justice to how we should really be remembering one of the most influential artists in the history of music.

Add comment March 14th, 2007