biggie Archives

The Notorious BIG and Puff Daddy Perform in London (Video)

Unbelievably, it was 16 years ago today that we lost Biggie Smalls. To celebrate his LIFE, here's some rare concert footage of Biggie and performing in London. It looks like it was filmed for TV, so the video and audio quality are high. Warning: it will leave you wanting more...... Read more

March 9, 2013 Video

Lord Finesse – Crate Diggers + Playlist of His Songs & Productions (Video + Audio)

Lord Finesse may be one of the most slept on talents in hip-hop EVER. As a double threat MC/producer, he had a legendary run in the 90's, releasing acclaimed underground albums and producing tracks for artists like Big L, Biggie, Dr. Dre, OC, Fat Joe and more. Here's an interview... Read more

January 23, 2013 Playlists, Video

This is…the REMIX (Audio Playlist)

It used to be remixes were a BIG deal. Unlike now, where an extra verse from a featured rapper constitutes a remix, remixes were often wholly-different takes on a song. The track was substantially different than the original and sometimes there were completely new verses. Here's a playlist of some... Read more

December 7, 2012 Audio, Playlists, Throwback

What makes an album a classic? Here are our criteria and 15 albums we think make the cut (with songs from each) (Food For Thought)

With the release of Kendrick Lamar's good kid, m.A.A.d. city album, many are using the word "classic" (including us--though we said "modern day classic"...more on that later) about a hip-hop album for the first time in a long, long time. No doubt, just the utterance of the "c" word is... Read more

October 26, 2012 Audio, Food for Thought, Throwback, Video

Hit-Boy – East vs. West (Video)

Here's the video for Hit-Boy's ode to Biggie and Tupac. He dons the look of the 2 icons in the video and, true to the times he's lamenting, the track is a horn-influenced melancholy throw back to the 90's. Check out East vs. West. Related: Hit-Boy – HITstory (Mixtape)... Read more

October 17, 2012 Video

Coast 2 Coast: Where East meets West on Wax (Audio Playlist)

Here's a playlist of songs featuring MCs from the east rhyming over West Coast (primarily G-Funk) beats. You'll hear music from Nas, Jay-Z, Talib Kweli, Redman, Raekwon, Biggie and more. Related: How the West Was Won: the evolution of West Coast hip-hop (Playlist)... Read more

August 22, 2012 Audio, Playlists

Yasiin Bey (pka Mos Def) – Bey

Here are some new verses from Yasiin Bey (pka Mos Def) over the John track in honor of the birthdays of Malcolm X and The Notorious BIG. Malcolm X was born on May 19th and Biggie would have been 40 today. Check out Bey. Related: Rare footage of Biggie performing... Read more

May 21, 2012 Audio

Here’s some extremely rare footage of Biggie performing with an assist from Jay-Z. Check it out below (Video)

Courtesy of the legendary Ralph McDaniels (story below). Related: Notorious BIG Behind The Music (Full Video) Here's what Ralph McDaniels had to say about the video: “Every year, I had a birthday party,” said McDaniels. “I wanted to get B.I.G. to host [it], but really I wanted him to perform.... Read more

May 18, 2012 Video

Notorious B.I.G. Behind The Music (Full Episode – Video)

Vh1 premiered a brand new Behind the Music on The Notorious BIG last night. If you missed it, you can check out the whole show below. Related: Vintage Biggie interviews and a tribute playlist... Read more

May 3, 2012 Video

Notorious BIG: Behind The Music Sneak Preview (Video)

A Behind the Music: Notorious BIG dropped several years ago but Vh1 has put together a brand new version that premieres on 5/2 at 9pm EST. Check out a 10 min sneak preview of the show below. This is the remix...Related: Previously unreleased interview of Biggie on the set of... Read more

April 30, 2012 Video

Mister Cee 3-hour Biggie Tribute Mix (Mixtape)

True to his nickname of The Finisher, Mister Cee shut down a day of Biggie tributes with a 3-hour mix (yes, 3 hours) of music by The Notorious Big on the 15th anniversary of the date of his passing. You can listen to the whole thing and download it below.... Read more

March 10, 2012 Audio, Mixes, Throwback

Biggie Smalls is the illest…Here are some vintage interviews of The Notorious BIG and a playlist of some of his classic music. Check out both below.

March 9th. It's been 15 years since we lost Big. Biggie Smalls. The Notorious BIG. I've been thinking about what to do to CELEBRATE HIS LIFE on this date for quite some time. Of course I was thinking a playlist (and you can find that below), but it didn't seem... Read more

March 9, 2012 Audio, Playlists, Video

Here’s a President’s Day playlist featuring music about the presidents most discussed in hip-hop: Dead Presidents. You’ll hear music from 2Pac, DJ Quik, Jay-Z, Nas, Biggie, Wu-Tang Clan, Scarface, Eric B & Rakim, Kanye West, Zion I, J Cole and more. You can listen to the whole playlist below.

Dead Presidents by Parfit on Grooveshark... Read more

February 20, 2012 Audio, Playlists

Here’s a Valentine’s Day Playlist for Lover’s of Hip-Hop (Audio)

Like most relationships, the one between Hip-Hop & Love is complicated. Here's a playlist showing its many sides. You'll find music from Common, Mos Def, Dead Prez, The Roots, OutKast, Snoop Dogg, Murs, A Tribe Called Quest, Pharoahe Monch, Slum Village, Heavy D, Method Man, Biggie and many more. Some... Read more

February 14, 2012 Audio, Playlists

Here’s a video playlist some classic hip-hop commercials (Video)

Commercials are always a big part of Super Bowl Sunday. With that in mind, here's a video playlist of some vintage hip-hop commercials. You'll hear verses from Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Large Professor, Grand Puba, Biggie, Snoop, 2Pac, Warren G, 50 Cent, Jay-Z, Wu-Tang, Ice Cube, EPMD, Geto Boys... Read more

February 5, 2012 Audio, Playlists, Throwback, Video

This week’s playlist is the first in a series dedicated to the greatest producers in hip-hop. First up is the legendary DJ Premier.

Primo burst onto the national scene more than 23 years ago and has been a hip-hop staple ever since. He represents guaranteed credibility for any project he touches and has often been the go-to guy for the greatest rappers in the game. You know what to expect: Biggie, Nas, Jay-Z,... Read more

March 11, 2011 Audio, Playlists

I got a story to tell…This week’s playlist is dedicated to the art of storytelling in rhymes. Many have witty punch lines, but a rare few have the ability to tell a full and engaging story over 48 bars and 3 hooks. You know the names: Nas, Biggie, Slick Rick, Eminem, KRS-One, Ice Cube, Snoop, Lupe, Kanye…Press play, sit back and here’s a little story…

Not just a bunch of rhymes dedicated to a theme, but true narratives...... Read more

March 3, 2011 Audio, Playlists

Ever see the movie Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme? It explores the art of truly coming off the top of the dome with clever lyrics.

Nowadays, anytime someone spits a verse that's not on wax or in concert it's considered a "freestyle." It wasn't always like that though. It used to be that a true freestyle was a complete impromptu rap that was often inspired in the heat of battle with another MC. If you... Read more

February 13, 2011 TV/Film, Video

It’s been 14 years since the death of Biggie Smalls and even longer for Tupac Shakur. Still, the murders remain unsloved.

Earlier this month, news broke that new leads in The Notorious B.I.G.'s murder have been uncovered and the case has been re-opened. Will we finally learn the truth? In the meantime, it's a good time to re-visit Biggie and Tupac, one of the best documentaries out there on their deaths.... Read more

January 29, 2011 TV/Film, Video