![the notorious b i g ready to die zippy the notorious b i g ready to die zippy](http://generousbo.weebly.com/uploads/1/2/3/9/123929251/975910132.png)
![the notorious b i g ready to die zippy the notorious b i g ready to die zippy](http://s3.amazonaws.com/rapgenius/72sktj.jpg)
It has been listed as among the best album covers in hip hop. The album was released with a cover depicting an infant resembling the artist, though sporting an afro, which pertains to the album's concept of the artist's life from birth to his death. Between the two stages, XXL writes that Biggie moved from writing his lyrics in notebooks to freestyling them from memory. In this stage, the more commercial-sounding tracks of the album were recorded, including the album's singles.
![the notorious b i g ready to die zippy the notorious b i g ready to die zippy](http://generousbo.weebly.com/uploads/1/2/3/9/123929251/355381285.jpg)
After a brief period dealing drugs in North Carolina, Biggie returned to the studio the following year on Combs' new Bad Boy Records label possessing 'a smoother, more confident vocal tone' and completed the album. When executive producer Sean 'Puffy' Combs was fired from Uptown, Biggie's career hung in limbo, as the album was only partially completed. In these sessions, XXL magazine describe an 'inexperienced, higher-pitched' Biggie sounding 'hungry and paranoid'. The first tracks recorded include the album's darker, less radio-friendly content (including 'Ready to Die,' 'Gimme the Loot' and 'Things Done Changed'). Biggie started recording his debut album in New York, after making numerous guest appearances among his label-mates' singles during the previous year. In 1993, Biggie was signed to the Uptown Records label by A&RSean 'Puffy' Combs. In 1994, Biggie was 21 years old going on 22 when he recorded the album. The album was recorded in New York City (mainly at The Hit Factory) in two stages between 19. Ready to Die has been regarded by many critics as one of the greatest hip hop albums, as well as one of the best albums of all time. The album's second single 'Big Poppa' was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 1996 Grammy Awards. It was significant for revitalizing the East Coast hip hop scene, amid West Coast hip hop's commercial dominance. In 1995, it was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and has since reached a certified 6x platinum with sales. Ready to Die was released to critical acclaim and became a commercial success, achieving Gold certification. The partly autobiographical album tells the story of the rapper's experiences as a young criminal, and was the only studio album released during his lifetime, as he was murdered sixteen days before the release of his second album Life After Death in 1997. It was recorded from 1993 to 1994 at The Hit Factory and D&D Studios in New York City. The album features production by Bad Boy founder Sean 'Puffy' Combs, Easy Mo Bee, Chucky Thompson, DJ Premier, and Lord Finesse, among others. Ready to Die is the debut studio album by American rapper The Notorious B.I.G., released on September 13, 1994, by Bad Boy and Arista Records.