Description
LIMITED EDITION 30TH ANNIVERSARY PRESSING
On September 13th, Ready To Die, the classic debut album by The Notorious B.I.G., turns thirty! To commemorate the 30th Anniversary Rhino Records is reissuing the album on double-colored vinyl with newly reimagined cover art in a gatefold jacket.
Considered by many to be one of, if not the greatest rapper and lyricist of all time, the Brooklyn-born rapper known by many as Biggie died at the age of 24 only weeks before the release of his second studio album. His legacy lives on through his music.
Earlier this year, the Library of Congress inducted Ready To Die into the National Recording Registry. In the essay accompanying the induction, author, and journalist Justin Tinsley writes, “In its true essence, the album is a response to American capitalism and just how deadly the pursuit of money could be and was for so many--in particular, young Black folks in America. ‘Ready To Die’ is a response to so many moments in American history before it: the economic crisis that nearly crippled New York in the 1970s, the crack explosion of the '80s (and the unfathomable violence and destruction it brought), and Reagonomics, ‘Stop-And-Frisk’-era policies that crippled Black communities… ‘Rolling Stone’ dubbed the album ‘the precise moment when hip-hop's golden age transitioned into its modern age, the height of New York hip-hop and the sound of the greatest rapper of all time at the absolute top of his power.’”
This limited edition pressing is available to preorder now and will be shipping the week of the 30th Anniversary.
Tracklist:
LP One: Side One
1. Intro
2. “Things Done Changed”
3. “Gimme The Loot”
4. “Machine Gun Funk”
5. “Warning”
Side Two
1. “Ready To Die”
2. “One More Chance”
3. “F*$K Me”
4. “The What”
5. “Juicy”
LP Two: Side One
1. “Every Day Struggle”
2. “Me & My Bitch”
3. “Big Poppa”
4. “Respect”
Side Two
1. “Friend of Mine”
2. “Unbelievable”
3. “Suicidal Thoughts”
4. “Who Shot Ya”
