Ready to Die

Ready to Die is a gangsta rap album by East Coast hip hop artist Notorious B.I.G, released on September 13, 1994 (see 1994 in music). While sometimes criticized as overly dramatic, Ready to Die is widely acknowledged as the album that revitalized East Coast hip hop after Dr. Dre and Death Row Records took over the industry in 1992 (see 1992 in music). The album was very popular, and crossed over into the mainstream, partially as a result to Biggie's slow, easy-to-understand style, though his complex rhymes made the album a critical success as well.

The album peaked at #3 and #15 on Billboard's (North America) Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums and the Billboard 200 album charts.

Track listing

"Intro" (Notorious BIG) - 3:24

"Things Done Changed" (Notorious BIG) - 3:57

"Gimme the Loot" (Notorious BIG) - 5:04

"Machine Gun Funk" (Notorious BIG) - 4:16

"Warning" (Notorious BIG) - 3:40

"Ready to Die" (Notorious BIG) - 4:24

"One More Chance" (Notorious BIG) (samples Jackson 5's "I Want You Back") - 4:43
"#! *@ Me (Interlude)" (Notorious BIG) - 1:31
"The What" (with Method Man) - 3:57
"Juicy" (Notorious BIG) (samples Mtume's "Juicy Fruit") - 5:03
"Everyday Struggle" (Notorious BIG) - 5:19
"Me & My Bitch" (Notorious BIG) - 4:00
"Big Poppa" (Isley Brothers/Notorious BIG) (samples the Isley Brothers "Between the Sheets") - 4:13
"Respect" (Notorious BIG) - 5:22
"Friend of Mine" (Notorious BIG) - 3:28
"Unbelievable" (Notorious BIG) - 3:43
"Suicidal Thoughts" (Notorious BIG) - 2:54

Charting singles

Billboard (North America)

1994	Juicy/Unbelievable	        The Billboard Hot 100	            No. 27
1994	Juicy/Unbelievable	        Hot Rap Singles	                    No. 3
1994	Juicy/Unbelievable	        Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks    No. 14
1994	Juicy	                        Rhythmic Top 40	                    No. 36
1994	Juicy/Unbelievable	        Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales  No. 1
1995	Big Poppa/Warning	        The Billboard Hot 100	            No. 6
1995	One More Chance/Stay With Me	The Billboard Hot 100	            No. 2
1995	Big Poppa/Warning	        Hot Rap Singles	                    No. 1
1995	One More Chance/Stay With Me	Hot Rap Singles	                    No. 1
1995	Big Poppa/Warning	        Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks    No. 4
1995	One More Chance/Stay With Me	Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks    No. 1
1995	Big Poppa/Warning	        Rhythmic Top 40	                    No. 12
1995	One More Chance/Stay With Me	Rhythmic Top 40	                    No. 7
1995	Big Poppa/Warning	        Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales  No. 1
1995	One More Chance/Stay With Me	Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales  No. 1