Not only is this song/video amazing for the exceptional rhyming and rapping abilities of one Christopher Wallace (aka Biggie Smalls, aka Notorious B.I.G.), but it is also a pivotal moment in '90's rap. While the long-standing tradition of rap has featured MC's as rappers, this is where P Diddy truly begins to insert himself as a major component to the finished products as well as the production of the music. Rap wouldn't be rap were it not for the Andy Warhol of hip-hop (P Diddy making 70's & 80's pop into hard-edged art is akin to the pop art movement in visual art), and his ability to say some of the craziest stuff ever in the background of a song. See "South Park: Bigger, Longer, Uncut," for an amazing satire of this. All that said- Puffy and Biggie were an amazing combination. In rap, a gifted MC with a melodic, distinctive voice, combined with imaginative rhymes, and a gifted producer, are the essential requirements for true greatness. In fact, a great producer can get by without good rappers, but not the other way around. But in this case, Biggie is an incredible talent.
Notice the cameo by Heavy D in the video as the doorman. Awesome. You have to admire Puff and Big for paying homage to their predecessors.
On a different note; why doesn't someone create an IMDB-type site for music and music videos? A clearinghouse of information on guest appearances, guest producers, individual producers for individual songs, samples, etc.?
As for Big... check out "March 9" the new Biggie album. There is some great production, and it serves as a sort of survey course of great background beats from the 90's as well as a showcase for Biggie's rap skills and numerous guest spots.
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