Ready to Die30th Anniversary re-release coverSingles from Ready to Die "Juicy"Released: August 9, 1994"Big Poppa / Warning"Released: December 24, 1994"One More Chance"Released: June 6, 1995Ready to Die is the debut studio album by the American rapper The Notorious B.I.G., released on September 13, 1994, by Bad Boy Records and distributed by Arista Records.
The Notorious B.I.G.American rapper (1972–1997)Christopher George Latore Wallace (May 21, 1972 – March 9, 1997), known professionally as the Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie Smalls, was an American rapper and songwriter. Rooted in the East Coast hip-hop and gangsta rap traditions, he is widely considered one of the greatest rappers of all time. Wallace became known for his distinctive, laidback lyrical delivery, offsetting his lyrics' often grim content.
Chucky ThompsonCarl Edward Thompson Jr. (July 12, 1968 – August 9, 2021) was an American record producer, best known for his work with Sean Combs' Bad Boy Records. BiographyThompson was born in Washington, D.C., in 1968. He was a member of Bad Boy Entertainment's "Hitmen" team of in-house producers during the 1990s, and worked with Bad Boy mogul Sean Combs on material for artists such as The Notorious B.I.G. and Faith Evans.
The Isley BrothersThe Isley Brothers ( ) are an American soul group originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, that began in 1954 as a vocal trio consisting of the brothers O'Kelly Isley Jr., Rudolph Isley and Ronald Isley. Together with a fourth brother, Vernon, the group performed gospel music until Vernon's death in 1954.
Between the Sheets (song)"Between the Sheets" is a quiet storm-funk song released by the American band the Isley Brothers in 1983 off their album of the same name on the T-Neck imprint. CompositionWith a tempo of 84 beats per minute, "Between the Sheets" is in the key of A minor.
Sean CombsAmerican rapper and producer (born 1969)Sean John Combs (born November 4, 1969), also known professionally as Diddy (formerly Puff Daddy and P. Diddy), is an American former rapper, record producer, record executive, and actor. He is credited with the discovery and development of musical artists such as the Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, and Usher, among others.
East Coast hip-hopEast Coast hip-hop is a regional subgenre of hip-hop music that originated in New York City during the 1970s. Hip-hop is recognized to have originated and evolved first in the Bronx borough of New York City. In contrast to other styles, East Coast hip-hop music prioritizes complex lyrics for attentive listening rather than beats for dancing. The term "East Coast hip-hop" more specifically denotes hip-hop originating from the Northeastern United States.
Bad Boy RecordsBad Boy Entertainment, doing business asBad Boy Records, is an American record label founded by Sean "Puffy" Combs. The first signee, Craig Mack, gained significant commercial success after the release of his 1994 single "Flava In Ya Ear". The label then signed other hip-hop and R&B acts, including The Notorious B.I.G., Faith Evans, Mase, 112, Total, the Lox, Shyne, and Carl Thomas. At its peak in 1997, Bad Boy was worth an estimated $100 million.
The Hit FactoryThe Hit Factory is a recording studio in New York City owned and operated by Troy Germano. HistoryIn 1969, songwriter Jerry Ragavoy opened a recording studio in New York City and named it The Hit Factory. On March 6, 1975, Edward Germano, a singer, record producer, and one of the principal owners of the Record Plant Studios New York, purchased The Hit Factory (located at 353 West 48th Street) from Ragavoy.
Rhythm and bluesMusic genre originating in the 1940s in the United StatesRhythm and blues, frequently abbreviated as R&B or R'n'B, is a genre of popular music that originated within African American communities in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to African Americans, at a time when "rocking, jazz based music ... [with a] heavy, insistent beat" was starting to become more popular.
Sampling (music)In sound and music, sampling is the reuse of a portion (or sample) of a sound recording in another recording. Samples may comprise elements such as rhythm, melody, speech, or sound effects. A sample might comprise only a fragment of sound, or a longer portion of music, such as a drum beat or melody. Samples are often layered, equalized, sped up or slowed down, repitched, looped, or otherwise manipulated.
RappingType of musical delivery involving rhythmic speechAmerican rapper 50 Cent (Curtis Jackson) performing at Warfield Theatre, San Francisco, June 3, 2010Rapping (also dropping, rhyming, flowing, spitting, emceeing, or MCing) is an artistic form of vocal delivery and emotive expression that incorporates "rhyme, rhythmic speech, and [commonly] street vernacular". It is usually performed over a backing beat or musical accompaniment.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.