NEW YORK (Bad Boy Records) - Bad Boy Records is set to release a digitally re-mastered version of the late Notorious B.I.G.'s groundbreaking debut album, Ready To Die (originally released in 1994) today. Ready To Die is considered a hip-hop classic and has sold over 4 million copies.
Bad Boy Records makes this announcement as the staff pauses to remember the late Brooklyn rapper on what would have been his 32nd birthday on May 21. The remastered CD is being released as a special thank you from Sean "P. Diddy" Combs to Ms. Voletta Wallace.
The digitally re-mastered Ready To Die has a crisper and clearer sound compared to the original CD. The CD/DVD features Notorious B.I.G. classics such as "Unbelievable" and "The What" (featuring Method Man) and music videos including "Juicy," "One More Chance," "Big Poppa" and the long cinematic version of "Warning." The DVD also includes a never before seen live outdoor performance of "Unbelievable" at Outkast's Atlanta barbecue. The CD contains previously unreleased tracks including "Dreams" and "Who Shot Ya?" Until now fans haven't been able to purchase these songs commercially.
The Notorious B.I.G. was the first rapper signed to Sean "P. Diddy" Combs' Bad Boy Entertainment label in 1993. After guesting on Mary J. Blige's "Real Love" remix and Supercat's "Dolly My Baby," remix, B.I.G. released his hip-hop classic Ready To Die and took the hip-hop world by storm. The CD produced Top 10 hits including "Juicy," "One More Chance," and "Big Poppa" which was voted Billboard's Single of the year.
B.I.G.'s success was cut short after he was slain on March 9, 1997 at the age of 25 in Los Angeles. Three weeks later his second CD, Life After Death (a double CD), was released and sold over 10 million copies.
In 1999, Bad Boy Records released Born Again a CD that featured digital recording and editing of new B.I.G. vocals alongside various artists including Method Man, Juvenile, Lil' Kim and Eminem. Earlier this year released Bad Boy's 10 Anniversary...The Hits CD as a gift from the label and to celebrate his talent and contributions to the label and entire music industry. To date, Ready To Die is the highest selling hip-hop catalogue ever.
In total, the Notorious B.I.G. has sold an excess of 20 million CDs worldwide and is still regarded as one of the greatest MC's to ever live by the hip-hop community.
READY TO DIE (RE-MASTERED) CD TRACKLISTING:
1. Intro
2. Things Done Changed
3. Gimmie The Loot
4. Machine Gun Funk
5. Warning
6. Ready To Die
7. One More Chance
8. #!@ me (Interlude)
9. The What
10. Juicy
11. Everybody Struggle
12. Me & My Bitch
13. Big Poppa
14. Respect
15. Friend of Mine
16. Unbelievable
17. Suicidal Thoughts
BONUS TRACKS:
18. Dreams
19. Who Shot Ya?
DVD TRACKLISTING:
1. Warning (Cinematic Extended Version)
2. Big Poppa
3. Juicy
4. One More Chance
5. Unbelievable (Live in Atlanta 1994)
