Life After Death

“Life After Death” is the second and final studio album by American rapper The Notorious B.I.G., also known as Biggie Smalls1. The album was released on March 25, 19971. The recording sessions for the album took place at various studios including Daddy’s House Recording Studios in New York City and Caribbean Sound Basin in Trinidad, West Indies1.

The album was a sequel to his first album, “Ready to Die”, and picks up where the last song, “Suicidal Thoughts”, ends1. The album was recorded over 18 months in New York, Los Angeles, and Trinidad234. The sessions were interrupted by B.I.G.’s arrest for marijuana and gun possession, and a car accident that shattered his left leg234.

The album features collaborations with guest artists such as 112, Jay-Z, Lil’ Kim, Mase, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Too $hort, Angela Winbush, D.M.C. of Run-D.M.C., R. Kelly, the Lox, and Puff Daddy1. Production was handled by DJ Premier, Easy Mo Bee, Havoc, RZA, Stevie J and other members of Bad Boy’s in-house team, the Hitmen1.

Upon its release, “Life After Death” sold a mammoth 690,000 copies in its first week, debuting at No. 1 on both Billboard’s Pop and R&B charts12. The album is widely considered to be one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time1. In 2020, it was ranked at No. 179 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time1.