As soon as the synth melody hits, it's shutdown. "Big Poppa," off of Ready To Die, is Biggie's first Top 10 hit as the late BK legend's stylistic shift (according to Chucky Thompson, Ice Cube's "It Was a Good Day" was an inspiration for the song) really struck a chord w/ the masses. The calm, smooth delivery from Big over the G-Funk beat sampling The Isely Brothers' "Between the Sheets" is a certified classic many times over, and the single is available again for the first since since the 1994 release. But hold up, "Warning" is also on here, and the song, which is a masterclass in storytelling ("Who the fuck is this pagin me at 546 in the morning?"), stands as a rugged contrast to the smooth, laidback vibe of "Big Poppa."

• white vinyl pressing
• part of Rhino's "Start Your Ear Off Right" Series
• music label: Bad Boy Records 1994 / 2018

reviewed by rei kwondo