Notorious B.I.G. – “Everyday Struggle” on – 107pfm.net
Written by 107PowerFM.Net on February 26, 2017
One of the Best Rap Albums Ever!
Everyday Struggle & Ready to Die is the debut studio album by American rapper The Notorious B.I.G.; it was released on September 13, 1994, by Bad Boy Records. The label’s first release, the album features production by Bad Boy founder Sean “Puffy” Combs, Easy Mo Bee, Chucky Thompson, DJ Premier and Lord Finesse, among others. Recording for the album took place during 1993 to 1994 at The Hit Factory and D&D Studios in New York City.
The partly autobiographical album tells the story of B.I.G.’s experiences as a young criminal. Ready to Die is his only studio album released during his lifetime, as he was murdered just days prior to the release of his second album, Life After Death (1997).
Ready to Die was released to critical acclaim and became a commercial success, achieving gold certification. In 1995, after the release, the album became a certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and the album has reached a certified quadruple platinum with sales. It was significant for revitalizing the East Coast hip hop scene, amid West Coast hip hop’s commercial dominance.
The album’s second single, “Big Poppa”, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 1996 Grammy Awards. Ready to Die has been regarded by many music critics as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time, as well as one of the best albums of the 90’s.
The album was recorded in New York City (mainly in The Hit Factory recording studio) in two stages between 1993 and 1994. In 1994, Biggie was only 21 going on 22-years old, when he recorded the album. In 1993, Biggie was signed to the Uptown Records label by A&R Sean “Puffy” Combs. Biggie started recording his debut album in New York, after making numerous guest appearances among his label-mates’ singles during the previous year.
The first tracks recorded include the album’s darker, less radio-friendly content (including “Ready to Die,” “Gimme the Loot” and “Things Done Changed”). In these sessions, XXL magazine describe an “inexperienced, higher-pitched” Biggie sounding “hungry and paranoid”.
The album was released with a cover depicting an infant resembling the artist, though sporting an afro, which pertains to the album’s concept of the artist’s life from birth to his death. It has been listed as among the best album covers in hip hop.
Ready to Die. (2017, February 24)
DJ 3xL
