Top 10 The Notorious B.I.G. Songs
#10: “Long Kiss Goodnight” Life After Death (1997)
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Given the East Coast-West Coast hip-hop feud of the 1990s, it’s been speculated that this song threw some secret jabs at 2Pac and Suge Knight. While that’s never been confirmed, there’s still a lot going on in “Long Kiss Goodnight” that may back up the claim, including lines that reference Tupac’s alleged assault in jail. Whatever the case may be, the track is the classic come-up anthem for new rappers trying to secure their spot in the game.
#9: “Sky’s the Limit” feat. 112 Life After Death (1997)
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On the third single off Life After Death, Big took the chance to tell the story of his insecurities while growing up a misfit in the streets. It’s his introspective, reflective nature that makes this song so special. Then there’s the 112-sung chorus, which serve both as a reminder to Big to enjoy his success and to listeners to strive for success.
#8: “Going Back to Cali” Life After Death (1997)
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Thanks to its catchy chorus, this song is pure fun to sing along to. And while Biggie may’ve been the King of New York and the East Coast rap scene, he made sure everyone knew he could still “rest in the West” with this track. Though he also brings up his “so-called beef with you-know-who,” it’s the fact that the tune’s really just a love song to the West Coast that we love it most.
#7: “Hypnotize” Life After Death (1997)
Released right after his death, this Grammy-nominated track made history when it became fifth song to top the Billboard Hot 100 following the artist’s death. With a chorus that just won’t quit, “Hypnotize” stays in your ears. While making multiple pop culture references, Biggie also uses his trademark deep, grumbling voice to hypnotize his fans. Meanwhile, the song’s hip-hop beat zooms in and out, creating a memorable refrain that you can’t resist bobbing your head to.
#6: “Kick In The Door” Life After Death (1997)
Using sounds of ringing bells and a groove that stops and starts, the beat of this song creeps all over the place. It’s also one of hip-hop’s best diss tracks, as Biggie throws jabs at a slew of rappers including Raekwon and Ghostface Killah. But his best lines are thrown at Nas: in response to the rapper’s proclamation that he was King of New York, a title Biggie wasn’t about to give up, he spits: [editor’s note: “ain’t no other kings in this rap thing/ they siblings, nothing but my chil’ren]
#5: “Warning” Ready to Die (1994)
It’s thanks to an Isaac Hayes cover of “Walk On By” that “Warning” has its cool, laidback and retro vibe. But Big is able to bring the song back to the present by the way his voice fades in and out the beat. The innovative track also brings out the rapper’s storytelling skills, which he uses to relate the struggles of the streets.
#4: “Ten Crack Commandments” Life After Death (1997)
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This song immediately hooks you in with the old school scratching that’s used on the beat. While this gives “Ten Crack Commandments” a happy-go-lucky sound, B.I.G.’s words actually tackle the oh-so-serious subject of dealing drugs. Stating his street rules make up a “step-by-step booklet for you to get your game on track,” Biggie ensures we all know he’s not someone to be messed with. What also makes this track so great is that he matches his natural flow with the fast pace of street life.
#3: “One More Chance / Stay with Me (Remix)” One More Chance / Stay with Me (Remix) single (1994)
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While Ready to Die features the original version of this track, it’s the remix that makes our list. Thanks to a brand new beat, different lyrics and vocals by Faith Evans and Mary J. Blige, “One More Chance” reached the Billboard Hot 100’s second spot. The song blended hip-hop, R&B and gangsta rap so successfully that it also went to number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart.
#2: “Big Poppa” Ready to Die (1994)
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Biggie wasn’t really known for his looks, so he used his good attitude and rhymes to win the ladies over instead. Nowhere is this more evident than on “Big Poppa.” The song’s smooth beat blends perfectly with the rapper’s lines about being a gentleman and making a woman feel special. Charting within the Billboard Hot 100’s top then, the Grammy-nominated tune has since earned popularity as pick-up song and party anthem for those chill nights.
Honorable Mentions
- “Who Shot Ya?” feat. Puff Daddy, Born Again (1999) - “You’re Nobody (‘Til Somebody Kills You)” Life After Death (1997) - “Mo Money Mo Problems” feat. Puff Daddy & Mase, Life After Death (1997) - “Machine Gun Funk” Ready to Die (1994) - “Gimme the Loot” Ready to Die (1994)
#1: “Juicy” Ready to Die (1994)
From “it was all a dream” to “and if you don’t know, now you know,” this track is just brimming with incredible lyrics that really stay with you. But the Ready to Die single also proves Biggie a master storyteller and chronicles his life from the streets to a successful self-made man. With words that give his listeners hope, “Juicy” isn’t only one of Biggie’s signature tunes but one of hip-hop’s finest. Just give it a spin and you’ll see why. Do you agree with our list? Which Biggie song is your favorite tune? For more larger-than-life Top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
