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Mar 09, 2007

We'll always love Big Poppa · by Sach O


The streetwear’s still gaudy but who can rock it with flair?

The Points (Alternate Mix) ft Biggie Smalls, Redman, Buckshot, Doodlebug, Big Mike

Has it really been 10 years? Not to date myself, but I was in junior high when Biggie died and it was a huge deal for anyone remotely involved in rap. At the time kids were still heated about the east coast-west coast beef but nearly everyone was downcast that yet another great emcee was senselessly taken from the world at the height of his career, leaving behind a grieving family. But in a way, it was more than just a man who passed away that fateful March 9th, as Jay-Z, Cam’ron, The Lox, DMX, Ja Rule, DJ Clue and others rose to fame in the wake of Biggie’s death, it was clear that a part of Hip Hop had died with him and a new era had started. Biggie Smalls had always straddled the line between commercial hits and grimy street bangers but his integrated model showcased on Life after death became the defacto blueprint for New York emcees. I’m not blaming the man nor am I saying that he could truly have prevented this shift in direction had he lived, but March 9th has always been a turning point for me, the moment rap lost what little innocence it had left.

Since the internet is busting out rare Biggie tracks like beads at Mardi Gras, I figure I’d throw in my 2 cents with this alternate version of the mid 90’s posse cut “The Points”. While the original features Bone Thugs and Harmony and Busta Rhymes, this Mr. Cee tape rip instead shows off a late career Doodlebug engaging the kind of quasi-eastern mysticism that Wu-Tang popularized. Highlighting Biggie, Redman, Buckshot and more, it’s a fitting tribute to the King of New York and the era he ruled over.

R.I.P to the nicest emcee. 10 years later those rhymes are still unbelievable.

Comments for "We'll always love Big Poppa"

  1. RIP.


    — khal    Mar 9, 02:08 PM   

  2. YO Biggie is definately missed. There is a void in Hip Hop that still has not been filled. Over on Highbrid Nation we are celebrating Biggie’s life and encouraging people to stop by and just give thier thoughts on the late veteran. You may want to check it out.


    — Evorgleb    Mar 9, 02:32 PM   

  3. I whole-heartedly disagree when you say he is the nicest emcee.

    But respect and an RIP is still due.


    — Just    Mar 9, 03:07 PM   

  4. March 9th The Mixtape:
    http://bgdboom.blogspot.com/2007/03/march-9th-mixtape.html


    — Enigmatik    Mar 9, 04:09 PM   

  5. The thing that made Biggie great was his charisma and personality. He’d drop a gem here or there but it was really the way he came off in his flow and breath control that makes everyone remember him as an all-time great.

    ZShare down for maintenance. Fuck.


    — DJ Flash    Mar 11, 07:52 AM   

  6. R.I.P. Biggie Smalls is the wickedest…..

    Defo the greatest natural MC rap ever gave birth to


    — EnglandRepresent    Mar 13, 01:56 AM   

  7. Big killed hip hop..ushered in the era of criss poppin and wrist watching..ultra skilled MC who left a void so large that it had to be filled by phoneys trying to emulate his style..but they went about it all wrong and killed hip hop


    — Ghost    Mar 19, 02:33 PM