Biggie.  Everybody loves him.  In fact, he’s the most searched artist on my website.  “Hypnotize,” the first single from 1996’s “Life After Death” LP, is perhaps his best pop song.  Now, by pop song, of course I just mean pop smash, not “pop song” in the traditional sense, because obviously its strait hip-hop.  But a smash it was, peaking at #1 right after Biggie’s unfortunate assassination.  The most memorable thing about the song for me is how it showcases the unlimited potential Biggie had at being the world’s greatest rapper.  Can you imagine how many other diamond cut classics Biggie would have churned out if he was allowed to live past 24, and how his style and music might have evolved?  It’s a crying shame, and the world’s bitter loss.  For those keeping score, the rhythm track is sampled from “Rise,” an 1979 Herb Alpert hit, and the chorus is sung by Pamela Long, not Lil’ Kim, as many assume.  It’s one of the most defining tracks from the 90s, and its greatness will probably live on forever.  One last thing, being that I’m based in Brooklyn, Biggie would want you to vote ME as CBS’s Best NYC local Blogger, which you can do so, by clicking here!  Thanks Biggie, you’re too kind.

Part 62 takes us back to Biggie and his incredible album Ready to Die with the song “Warning.”  This is a messed up perfect rap song about Biggie boasting about his awesomeness through the glass onion of revenge.  The video is a lot like the song, Biggie on the phone rapping to himself, well in this case, Biggie #2 is played by Diddy.  In actuality, the video is kind of redundant.  Biggie was such an amazing rapper, that he never needed videos, the lyrics just unfold in your brain like the baddest movie imaginable filled with attitude.  Still, its good to see Biggie and dream about what else he could have given us had he lived.  It’s so unfair that he’s still not here, and the irony of this song is not lost on anybody that knows Biggie, his music, and his story.