15. You're Nobody (Til Somebody Kills You) (1997)

“As I leave my competition, respirator style / Climb the ladder to success escalator style / Hold y’all breath, I told y’all — death / Controls y’all, Big don’t fold y’all / I spit phrases that’ll thrill you / You’re nobody til somebody kills you…” 

“You’re Nobody (Til Somebody Kills You)”, the haunting closer to Life After Death, dropped mere weeks after Biggie’s murder, amplifying its chilling resonance. Echoing the bleakness of Ready to Die’s “Suicidal Thoughts,” this track drips with foreboding over a moody beat. Biggie’s lyrics, steeped in paranoia and fatalism, feel eerily prophetic given his fate just before the album’s release. His commanding delivery cuts through the darkness, reflecting on fame’s grim toll. The timing of his death transforms this song into a ghostly epilogue, cementing its place as a stark, unsettling capstone to his legacy.

14. Who Shot Ya?

“Who shot ya? Separate the weak from the obsolete / Hard to creep them Brooklyn streets / It’s on, n***a, f**k all that bickering beef / I can hear sweat trickling down your cheek…”

“Who Shot Ya?” looms large as a flashpoint in the Biggie-2Pac feud, its lyrics interpreted by 2Pac as a taunt tied to his earlier shooting. This sparked his incendiary response, “Hit ‘Em Up,” intensifying their rivalry. Though Biggie’s camp insisted the track predated the incident, the debate lingers. Regardless, the song’s classic, menacing instrumental—crafted by Nashiem Myrick and Puffy—carries it, fortunately overshadowing Puffy’s vocal cameo and any lyrical ambiguity. Biggie’s commanding flow cuts through the tension, making it a standout, whether viewed as a provocation or a misinterpreted gem from his catalog.

13. Unbelievable (1994)

“Live from Bedford-Stuyvesant, the livest one / Representing BK to the fullest / Gats I pull it / Bastards duckin’ when Big be bucking…” 

“Unbelievable” pairs Biggie’s lyrical might with DJ Premier’s masterful production. Preemo’s dope instrumental—crisp drums and a funky loop—sets the stage for Biggie to shine. His flow is relentless, packed with clever wordplay and swagger, proving why “Biggie Smalls is the illest.” This track stands tall among the album’s many highlights, a testament to his technical skill and charisma. The synergy between Premier’s golden-era beat and Biggie’s commanding presence makes it a cornerstone of Ready to Die, cementing its status as a Hip Hop classic.

12. Somebody's Gotta Die (1997)

“Ah, ah! I’m sittin’ in the crib dreamin’ about Learjets and coupes / The way Salt shoops and how they sell records like Snoop – (oops!) / I’m interrupted by a doorbell – 3:52 – Who the hell is this?…” 

“Somebody’s Gotta Die” opens Life After Death with a gripping tale of revenge that spirals into tragedy, highlighting Biggie’s unparalleled storytelling prowess. Over a haunting Nashiem Myrick beat, he crafts a cinematic narrative—vivid, tense, and emotionally charged—drawing listeners into a world of retribution gone wrong. His detailed imagery and commanding delivery set a dark, brooding tone that reverberates across the album. This track exemplifies Biggie’s gift for turning street sagas into high art, making it a standout that foreshadows the depth and intensity of his final opus.

11. Warning (1994)

“Who the hell is this paging me at 5:46 in the morning? / Crack of dawn and now I’m yawnin’ / Wipe the cold out my eye / See who’s this paging me and why…”

“Warning” is a standout on Ready to Die, a testament to Biggie’s lyrical dominance. Over an Easy Mo Bee beat laced with a menacing Isaac Hayes sample, Biggie spins a tense tale of betrayal and vigilance. His conversational flow—calm yet lethal—details a plot against him, blending paranoia with cold calculation. The track’s gritty realism and clever rhymes amplify its impact, making it a fan favorite. Among the album’s wealth of classics, “Warning” shines for its storytelling and mood, encapsulating Biggie’s ability to turn street life into compelling art.

10. Ten Crack Commandments (1997)

“I’ve been in this game for years, it made me a animal / There’s rules to this sh*t, I wrote me a manual / A step-by-step booklet for you to get / Your game on track, not your wig pushed back…” 

“Ten Crack Commandments” from Life After Death distills the drug trade into a stark, numbered guide, elevated to classic status by its brilliant execution. DJ Premier’s sick instrumental—built on a hypnotic Les McCann sample—drives the track, while a Chuck D countdown sample adds hype. Biggie’s clever, razor-sharp lyrics transform a hustler’s playbook into high art, his flow both authoritative and effortless. This blend of gritty wisdom and masterful production makes it a standout, showcasing Biggie’s knack for turning raw concepts into timeless Hip Hop anthems.

9. Suicidal Thoughts (1994)

“When I die, f**k it, I wanna go to hell / Cause I’m a piece of sh*t, it ain’t hard to f**king tell / It don’t make sense, going to heaven with the goodie-goodies / Dressed in white, I like black Timbs and black hoodies”

“Suicidal Thoughts”, the closing track of Ready to Die, plunges into Biggie’s darkest depths, concluding the album with a gunshot to his own head. Over a stark, brooding Lord Finesse beat, Biggie unleashes a torrent of despair—self-loathing, guilt, and existential dread spilling out in a raw, unfiltered confessional. His voice, heavy with torment, paints a vivid picture of a man unraveling, offering no redemption, only bleak finality. This track lays bare the shadowy side of his persona, contrasting the bravado elsewhere on the album. Its unflinching honesty and haunting tone make it a powerful, chilling capstone to a debut masterpiece.

8. What's Beef? (1997)

“What’s beef? Beef is when you need 2 gats to go to sleep / Beef is when your moms ain’t safe up in the streets / Beef is when I see you / Guaranteed to be in ICU…” 

“What’s Beef?” from Life After Death finds Biggie dissecting the true essence of conflict over a slow, infectious Carlos Broady and Nashiem Myrick beat. With a deliberate pace, he redefines “beef” beyond petty disputes—detailing its life-or-death stakes in the streets. His lyrics, sharp and introspective, weave tales of loyalty, betrayal, and survival, delivered with his signature gravitas. The hypnotic production amplifies the weight of his words, letting each bar sink in. This track stands out for its clarity and depth, offering a masterclass in storytelling that elevates a simple concept into a profound meditation on rivalry and its consequences.

7. Everyday Struggle (1994)

“I don’t wanna live no more / Sometimes I hear death knocking at my front door / I’m living every day like a hustle / Another drug to juggle, another day, another struggle…” 

“Everyday Struggle” from Ready to Die masks its grim hustler’s tale with an upbeat chorus, a stark contrast to its heavy narrative. Biggie spins a story of relentless grind and desperation, outshining nearly every rapper tackling this worn theme. His lyrical skill—unmatched in precision and vividness—elevates the track, painting a raw, unflinching portrait of street life. Over a smooth Norman Wilson and Bluez Brothers beat, he balances gritty detail with emotional heft, his flow effortless yet commanding. This song exemplifies why Biggie’s pen stands alone, turning a familiar subject into a compelling, standout testament to his artistry.

6. Big Poppa (1994)

“To all the ladies in the place with style and grace…” 

“Big Poppa” from Ready to Die reigns as one of Biggie’s most iconic hits, a macked-out anthem that defined an era. Built on a slick Easy Mo Bee beat sampling The Isley Brothers’ “Between the Sheets,” it oozes smooth swagger and charisma. Biggie’s laid-back flow drips with confidence, spinning tales of luxury and allure that made it a super-classic club banger. Its infectious hook and polished vibe broadened his appeal, cementing his crossover stardom. This track captures Biggie at his most charismatic, blending street cred with radio-ready charm, ensuring its timeless status as a Hip Hop staple.

5. Kick In The Door (1997)

“This goes out for those that choose to use / Disrespectful views on the King of N-Y / F**k that, why try, throw bleach in your eye / Now ya brailling it, snatch that light sh*t, I’m scaling it…” 

“Kick in the Door” from Life After Death pairs Biggie with DJ Premier for another triumphant collaboration. Premier’s beat—a head-nodding masterpiece sampling Screamin’ Jay Hawkins—delivers that signature boom-bap grit, setting the stage for Biggie’s lyrical onslaught. His verses are razor-sharp, brimming with bravado and tight rhymes, as he asserts dominance with unrelenting force. The track’s energy is undeniable, though the lengthy intro skit slightly overstays its welcome, a minor blemish on an otherwise flawless cut. Biggie’s commanding presence and Premier’s production alchemy make this a standout, embodying the raw essence of Hip Hop. It’s a near-perfect slice of Notorious B.I.G.’s artistry, reinforcing his reign with every bar.

4. Party & Bullshit (1993)

“I was a terror since the public school era / Bathroom passes, cutting classes, squeezing asses / Smoking blunts was a daily routine / Since 13, a chubby n***a on the scene…” 

“Party & Bullshit” is Biggie’s first official single, and from the start, he sounds locked in. Released in 1993 on the Who’s the Man soundtrack, the track leans into a loud, energetic beat built around Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick’s “The Show.” The drums hit hard, and the loop has a loose, live-wire energy that keeps the momentum up. Biggie glides over it with a confident, sharp delivery, flipping between street talk and punchlines without forcing the rhythm. His flow is tight but unhurried, keeping control even when the beat feels chaotic.

The hook—“party and bullshit”—is loud, repetitive, and designed to hit in crowded rooms. What makes the track work is how Biggie rides the bounce with clarity and focus. There’s humor in the lines, but there’s weight too. He sounds hungry, and his voice cuts through the noise with clarity and control. This is the sound of an artist already in the pocket.

3. Things Done Changed (1994)

“If I wasn’t in the rap game / I’d probably have a key knee-deep in the crack game / Because the streets is a short stop / Either you’re slinging crack rock or you got a wicked jump shot”

“Things Done Changed” opens Ready to Die with tension and clarity. The instrumental, produced by Darnell Scott, loops a smooth soul sample over a heavy, deliberate drum pattern. There’s a warmth in the keys, but the beat drags like a warning—slow, weighted, and steady. Biggie doesn’t waste any time. His voice enters with purpose, setting the tone with lines about how the block shifted from fistfights to gunplay, from dice games to funeral processions.

He raps without decoration. The delivery is straight-faced, but the words cut deep. His structure is tight, built on clean rhymes and controlled rhythm. It’s a story told with facts, not sentiment—nothing is exaggerated, nothing softened. There’s no hook, just space to breathe between verses. That silence works. The beat and voice stay locked together, and by the end, the mood is cold and real. This is everyday reality, laid out plain.

2. Sky's The Limit (1997)

“If the game shakes me or breaks me / I hope it makes me a better man / Take a better stand / Put money in my mom’s hand / Get my daughter this college grant so she don’t need no man / Stay far from timid / Only make moves when your heart’s in it / And live the phrase sky’s the limit” 

“Sky’s the Limit” is one of the rare moments in Biggie’s catalog where the focus isn’t street survival or revenge, but growth and reflection. It plays like a calm exhale, a wide-angle look at everything that came before. The beat, produced by Clark Kent, is warm and steady, built on a gentle piano loop and subtle bassline. The tone leans mellow, but Biggie’s verses don’t drift—they stay sharp, grounded in memory and self-awareness.

His delivery is smooth, and the writing is straightforward. He moves through his past with focus, from his early years in Bed-Stuy to finally seeing some peace and success. There’s no glamorizing or preaching—just a reminder that his rise came with pressure, risk, and a clear sense of purpose.

The hook, sung by 112, softens the track with a sentimental edge that feels slightly overdone, but the verses balance it out. Biggie keeps it honest without falling into cliché. The music video—featuring kid versions of Biggie and Puff Daddy—leans into the idea of childhood dreams and future ambition. It’s a light moment in a heavy discography, and one of the few times Biggie let optimism take center stage.

1. Juicy (1994)

“It was all a dream, I used to read Word Up! magazine / Salt-n-Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine / Hangin’ pictures on my wall / Every Saturday Rap Attack, Mr. Magic, Marley Marl…”

“Juicy” launches from Biggie Smalls with an infectious burst of Brooklyn charm and hard-won optimism. Dropped in 1994 as the lead single off Ready To Die, the track combines smooth, rolling beats with a catchy sample that invites listeners into a vivid narrative of struggle turned success. Biggie’s delivery is relaxed yet sharp, flowing over a track that carries the warmth of sunlit streets and the grit of hard urban nights. His lyrics paint a clear picture of the past, from hustling on familiar corners to climbing the ladder of success, all shared with a confident smile.

The music beats steadily in the background, carrying a sample that has a familiar, inviting ring. Each line is packed with details that make the story feel personal and relatable, recounting everyday challenges and the thrill of seizing a better future. The hook lifts the mood, turning the song into a celebration of persistence and achievement. It invites listeners to reflect on their own beginnings and to hold tight to dreams.

“Juicy” combines clear storytelling with a sound that mixes street realism and a celebratory vibe. Its honest portrayal of a life transformed continues to inspire, offering a vivid reminder that even the toughest beginnings can lead to an unexpected rise. This track remains one of Biggie’s most heartfelt tunes, a true slice of Brooklyn spirit.