Let’s talk about The Notorious B.I.G. and Jay-Z, two of “Brooklyn’s Finest,” Not the song they collaborated on, but their debuts, Ready To Die and Reasonable Doubt, respectively.
Big’s album hit the streets first in 1994. Though it wasn’t initially perceived as a gangster rap album, it was one. “Gimme the Loot,” a track about a struggling Biggie using his robbing techniques to come up, is about as gangster as it gets.
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“No need for that, just grab the f**king gat,” Big raps. “The first pocket that’s fat, the Tech is to his back/Word is bond, I’ma smoke him, yo, don’t fake no moves/Treat it like boxing, stick and move, stick and move.”
“Me and My B*tch” and “The What” featuring Method Man, among others, fit the bill as well.
I give credit to Sean “Puffy” Combs – his nickname at the time and the album’s executive producer- for disguising the project as a radio-friendly album so it would go under the activists’ radar. He made sure the production was radio-friendly enough to get airplay as well.
Ready to Die was promoted by three singles: “Juicy,” “Big Poppa,” “One More Chance (Remix),” and “Warning.”
Ready to Die peaked at the number 15 and 3 spot on the US Billboard 200 and US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, respectively. It was certified 4x Platinum.
Reasonable Doubt came two years later. Jigga teamed up with Big, his fellow Brooklynite, to represent their home borough on “Brooklyn’s Finest.”
“Can’t Knock The Hustle,” features Mary J. Blige on the hook, opens the album, and sets the tone. The aforementioned samples Meli’sa Morgan’s 1986 jam, “Fool’s Paradise.”
The album had many tracks that have withstood the test of time, such as “Politics as Usual” and “Can I Live.” However, “Ain’t No Nigga” helped skyrocketed the album’s popularity.
Jay-Z borrows a line from Nas’ “The World is Yours” to create “Dead Presidents II.”
Reasonable Doubt reached number 23 on the US Billboard 200. Eventually, the album was certified platinum.
We have two of Brooklyn’s finest here. The question is: who has the finest piece of work? Let’s chop it up.
RIP The Notorious B.I.G.
‘Ready to Die’ or ‘Reasonable Doubt’?
Polls Are Closed!
Ready To Die – 75%
Reasonable Doubt – 25%
