Flashback Friday: The Best Unsung Notorious B.I.G. Verses

Today marks 15 years since the death of The Notorious B.I.G., hip hop’s greatest lyricist. Over the past decade and a half, Biggie has grown from simply a notable rapper to a music icon. Even the most out of touch music fan knows his classics, including “Juicy,” “Hypnotize,” and “One More Chance Remix.” While those songs are outstanding, digging deeper into BIG’s catalogue reveals some of the wittest wordplay ever recorded on wax.

Fans stopped by to show love for Biggie’s greatest, yet lesser-known, work. If you aren’t familiar with these verses, take a listen and learn why BIG is the greatest of all time.

Corey Peterson, “Keep Your Hands High” (Tracey Lee featuring The Notorious B.I.G.)

“Banging beat that had the repetitive-style horns that BIG thrived on the most.”

Ervin Horton, “Everyday Struggle” and “Gimmie The Loot”

“On ‘Everyday Struggle,’ I love the way he puts the song together. He starts off talking about the struggle of a drug dealer, then he describes the story of ‘2 techs’ and finally he talks about how he has to mold his daughter for the future. Of course he makes the track come alive. And doggonit “Gimmie The Loot” is the business!”

Malcolm Knox, “16 Bars” (from Lyricist Lounge Vol. 2)

“This is Chris in his element: no cameras, no studio, no programmed beats; just him, a mic, and about 2,000 heads, it sounds like (probably in Brooklyn). ‘I’m pressing hard, I’m leaving creases / Cutting up bodies and talking to the pieces.'”

Larry Robinson, “Somebody’s Gotta Die”

“BIG’s storytelling flow made it easy to visualize this song.”

James Wagner, “4 My Peeps” (Red Hot Lover Tone featuring The Notorious B.I.G., MOP and Organized Konfusion)

“Biggie blends and alludes to some of his old rhymes and references Nas for a few lines. Very dope.”

And another from James, “Bunch of N****s” (Heavy D and the Boyz featuring Gang Starr, 3rd Eye, The Notorious B.I.G. and Rob-O)

“Biggie starts off by saying “I bring drama like you spit on my mama.” Enough said.”

Georgia Mae Founder Javacia Bowser, “What’s Beef?”

“It has this eerie, evil feel to it that reminds me of all my favorite horror movies, yet great lyricism that reminds me why he’s one of the greatest rappers that ever lived. Whether you’re pissed off at someone or in the mood to just vibe, it works.”

Georiga Mae Music Editor Edward Bowser, “Oh My Lord” (Junior M.A.F.I.A. – Klepto and The Notorious B.I.G.)

“Definitely a forgotten gem. ‘Flavor like Tropicana: Orange, mango, peach/I strangle each/ne-gro for they dough.’ Only Biggie possessed the wit to make mindless violence so hilarious.”