Notorious Big Life
It may have taken a few years to follow up his milestone debut, (1994), with another album, but when he did return with in 1997, he did so in a huge way. The ambitious album, intended as somewhat of a sequel to, picking up where its predecessor left off, sprawled across the span of two discs, each filled with music, 24 songs in all. You'd expect any album this sprawling to include some lackluster filler. That's not really the case with, however. Like 's from a year before, an obvious influence, 's album made extensive use of various producers -, and more of New York's finest - resulting in a diverse, eclectic array of songs.
Plus, similarly brought in various guest rappers -, - a few vocalists -, - and, of course, who is much more omnipresent here than on, where he mostly remained on the sidelines. It's perhaps himself to thank for this album's biggest hits: 'Mo Money Mo Problems,' 'Hypnotize,' 'Sky's the Limit,' three songs that definitely owe much to his pop touch.
Notorious Big Death Photo
There's still plenty of the gangsta tales on that won so much admiration on the streets, but it's the pop-laced songs that stand out as highlights. In hindsight, couldn't have ended his career with a more fitting album than. Over the course of only two albums, he achieved every success imaginable, perhaps none greater than this unabashedly over-reaching success. Is a milestone album, for sure, but it's nowhere near as extravagant or epic as.