Iconic Records

If ever there was a poll to inform which Life After Death song is the global favorite, there’s a strong chance that the winner would be "I Got A Story To Tell". Another writing masterclass; Big gave us action, juicy drama, character development, comedic wit all wrapped in grade A lyricism.

On episode 7 “I Got A Story To Tell,” producer Buckwild discusses his classic collaboration while setting the table for a few of the bes...

When rap aficionados pinpoint the performance that closed the case on who’s the best MC, it’s usually Big’s verse on “Notorious Thugs.” Never did anyone fathom a New York rapper borrowing the staccato and lullaby flow of Cleveland rap group Bone Thugs N Harmony then taking it to another level.

On episode 6, Fat Joe tells that it was he who brokered the historic Bone and Biggie collab. Bone Thugs manager Steve Lobe...

While Life After Death is rich with vibrant singles like "Hypnotize" and "Mo Money Mo Problems", the album’s darkness is undeniable. A dominant theme is death whether by fictitious murders or Biggie prophesizing his own. The song that captures this best is “My Downfall.”

On Episode 5 we have an ensemble of guests breakdown the brilliance of the descending track. "My Downfall"'s producer Nasheim Myrick makes another appearan...

The Life After Death song that’s had the most cultural impact is the indelible "Ten Crack Commandments". The 3 minute and 24 second track produced by DJ Premier was a Youtube tutorial before the Internet was a thing. Big’s black market advisory transcended the drug game and smartened up entrepreneurs from cold street corners to plush corner offices.

We speak with the legendary Premo on making the iconic track. Rick Ross and...

No album can be deemed classic without a supreme first track. Life After Death is a perfect example. “Somebody’s Gotta Die” is a master class on cinematic storytelling. Producer Nasheim Myrick gives us a never before told Biggie story that may make Salt & Pepa shoop.

The album’s initial track was only preceded by its author’s imaging, commandeered by world renowned photographers like Michael Lavine and Barron Claib...

In New York City, there is no sitting on the throne without possessing a style that is as bright and flavorful as it is original. The Big Apple also loves a come up story. While the Notorious B.I.G. leveled up lyrically, his fashion climbed parallel. He ultimately became the face of Coogi sweaters and Jesus pendants. No song exemplified Big’s aspirational glow on global culture more than “Sky’s the Limit.”

In episode 2, we ...

For the Notorious B.I.G., 1995 was quite the year. Not only was the MC preparing to crush the sophomore jinx with his second album, he was in full campaign mode for rap’s King of New York title. Initially endorsed by the July cover of the #1 hip-hop magazine in the 1990's The Source, Big led the race with the year’s hottest street record being his controversial “Who Shot Ya?”

In the premier episode of Iconic Records, we tal...