So, for me it is hard to leave someone like that out of the top ten conversation when you see the growth and importance to the culture. Royce da 5’9 for example went from being a punchline rapper to a lyrical monster. Hip hop is competitive by nature and others while respecting the past have come to take over and make the game theirs. But others for me have surpassed him just because the world has continued to turn since his untimely death.

For me, it must be a no, but he would for sure be in my top 50 if I ever were crazy enough to make a list that big. Without a doubt he is a hall of famer and his impact on not just the genre, but music can never be debated nor should it be.īut one album while living is the question that I always come back to. not borderline, not maybe if he or she does not go into same class with these people. If your name is said I should be able to say yes or no. But when you talk top five its like the hall of fame, how I see it. Very few rappers can have the storytelling, flow, or charisma in one. But not just from enemies, from friends and family as well.

His verse perfectly depicts the problems that come with more money you have only increases pressure. When he raps lines like “BIG POPPA, no info for the DEA. Just point out the darker side of the streets and the music industry. So, tracks like “Beef”, “Warning”, and “Mo Money Mo Problems”. Like Slick Rick, Big Daddy Kane, and others. Even though “Ready to die” was dark it still had tracks like “Big poppa” which was an Isley brothers classic club track.īut his storytelling ability was up there with some of the best. His lyrics, delivery, and subject matter. Some of the arguments for him deserving to be in the top five is how he came out of the gate with his first album. Its about what your peers think of you and BIG’s peers all agreed when he was around, he was the best. With many labeling him “The King of New York”, we all know awards can mean very minimal in a genre like hip hop. Out of both albums, he won several awards and nominations. But to drop the first album and then kill the proverbial sophomore slump is amazing. BIG gave two lyrical masterpieces, it is hard enough to do it one time. The impact of those two albums was huge, in an ever-changing landscape. Should someone that only dropped two real albums be top five? To me even though it is only two albums. This catapulted him to the top of the list in hip hop. But he is clearly prepared to protect his, on songs like ‘Warning.” This is made clear his first album is a lyrical assault on the game with the intention of bringing back New York City hip hop. Knowing some of his past choices could come back to haunt him. BIG, talks about his come up and how it effects his state of mind to that moment. The album is about paranoia, suicide, and protecting what is yours. But without question, his first two albums are classics with every disturbing and uncomfortable feel to them. His second album came right after his passing. The reason BIG’s story is so unique is that he only dropped one album while he was living. Now, this is subjective, but I always feel like it can be a fun conversation if you keep things in perspective. Is he top five? Or is he not even on the list. What I would like to do, is talk about his rapping and the age-old debate. This documentary is from his youth until his death, but I do not want to review this. Mainly because his murder has never been solved and so many rumors still surround his murder. the late father and rap legend passed away in 1997 and his story still lives on. Netflix recently dropped a documentary on the life and times of Notorious B.I.G.

The notorious big i got a story to tell