Good Morning Hip Hop: Hypnotize - The Notorious B.I.G

The Notorious B.I.G - Hypnotize

Life After Death (1997)

Good Morning Hip Hop,

Peace Morning All Happy Friday.

Big was born Christopher Wallace on May 21, 1972 in Brooklyn, NY. Growing up in Bedford-Stuyvesant known as BedStuy. Big grow with the guidance of his mother Voletta Wallace. A strict mom keep Big focused on school and making something of him self. Big was a good student getting good grades, but was attracted to the streets. Most of us as kids can remember what our neighborhoods were like growing up. Remembering who the major players were and who had the nice cars and jewels. I can't lie I thought that was the life for me, but little did we know that would come with a hefty price tag being that guy. 

Let's talk about one of the greatest MC ever. Today's Hip Hop Classic is Hypnotize by The Notorious B.I.G. With his birthday being yesterday and Big would have been 48 years old. I wanted to do this blog reflecting on a time when Big was at the highest in the game with his Sophomore project dropping "Life After Death." Following the success of "Ready to Die" Biggie was in a new head space for this new album. New Production, new outlook on life, and a sense that he was on top of his pen game. 

I remember the first time I heard Biggie on a track. I use to work for a radio station back in 1993. We use to have to do these reports to all the major labels letting them know what was in rotation so we could keep getting records to spin. Well I remember the records we got in from Uptown Records (RIP Andre Harrell.) Well we had this record "Party and Bullshit" I knew our PD wasn't going to play it. So we use to make our practice mixtapes and we would throw joints on there before anyone actually got to hear them. It was something about Big's presence on that track and the way he rode the track. It became on of those song you did not know who it was but it resonated with you. 

After Party and Bullshit I am sure everyone remembers this one "Real Love Remix featuring Biggie Smalls." Later dropping the name because it was already taken by another artist. This put Big on the map and started the buzz about his new album coming called "Ready to Die." This all happen from DJ Mister Cee bringing a tape to Puff about a new MC he had to check out. Puff finally sat down with Big and told him about his plans for starting BadBoy Records. 

Mary J. Blige - Real Love Remix featuring Biggie Smalls

Ready To Die Album (1994)

Deemed as one of Hip Hop's Top Albums "Ready To Die" had some of the illest tracks from top producers in the game at the time. Big was hungry for the chance to break through all the hip about the West Coast at the time being the best in Hip Hop. He just wanted to bring the spot light back to New York and he did that with the hits he created on this album. Killing the charts and becoming one of the top MCs in New York. His crossover success of songs like "Juicy" and "Big Poppa" took Big to new heights with the lady fan base. The album quickly became a fan favorite of many people into Hip Hop at the time for many different reasons. For me, this album was the story of a young hustler coming up in the game making a way out for him and his family through Hip Hop. 

Just before the release of his second album "Life After Death" there was one song ringing bells in the underground scene. This was the song "Hypnotize" killing the clubs and parties at the time. It was that familiar bass-line a sample from Herb Alpert's - Rise. And of course the hook from "La Di Da Di" by Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick. and least remember The Crystals - "Da Doo Ron Ron." The beat itself was already intriguing from the start of the beat. Then comes Big comes in with that "Hot Sicker than your average Poppa." 

WHAT !  ! ! ! !!  Big bodied the whole song, the beginning was like Damn that's Biggie? Man to this day when that song comes on the crowd goes banana. It is just one of them songs that makes you want to dance. This song has a special meaning in my life cause Big was one of my idols of the pen next to Rakim. This song when the video dropped was the first time you actually got to see BIG smile I mean really smile and look like he was in a good place through his laughter in the video. It wasn't rare to see Big like that cracking jokes or ragging someone. This was different it was that laughter and smile like wow life is good and I am happy smile. Sad to say we did not know that would be his last video and we would lose him to gun violence in March of 1997. 

That is why "Hypnotize" will forever be one of my favorite Hip Hop videos of all time. I am not one to try and reflect on what could have been if Big was still alive or where he would be in today's Hip Hop status. All I know Big gave us two Classic Albums which is not up for Debate in my eyes. When it cane to Big you got lyrics, persona, charisma, swag, and most important you got BIG. That's what we loved about Big Poppa. 

So This Morning I Pay Homage to the Notorious B.I.G. for my Good Morning Hip Hop Post.

Salute King Happy Born Day!

Biggie Discography : https://open.spotify.com/artist/5me0Irg2ANcsgc93uaYrpb

Peace, Love, and Hip Hop.

PKSP