Life After Death (album)

## **Singles from *Life After Death***

1. "Hypnotize"
Released: March 1, 1997
2. "Mo Money Mo Problems"
Released: July 15, 1997
3. "Sky's the Limit" / "Going Back to Cali"
Released: November 18, 1997

***Life After Death*** is the second and final studio album by American rapper the Notorious B.I.G., released on March 25, 1997, through Bad Boy Records and Arista Records. It sold 690,000 copies in its first week, peaking at No. 1 on the *Billboard* 200. It received widespread critical acclaim upon release and was nominated for Best Rap Album, Best Rap Solo Performance for its first single "Hypnotize," and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for its second single "Mo Money Mo Problems" at the 40th Annual Grammy Awards. The album is widely considered to be one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time. In 2020, it was ranked at No. 179 on *Rolling Stone* magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

## Synopsis

How to top a debut that single-handedly reinvigorated East Coast gangsta rap? Pick up right where it left off, but make everything way bigger. Christopher Wallace's sprawling second album ramps up the drama and the pop sheen: "Mo Money Mo Problems" turns a sparkling Diana Ross sample into a "triple beam lyrical dream," and the smooth, rolling "Hypnotize" is as spellbinding as its title promises. Still, Big never sacrificed any of the narrative grit—look no further than “Ten Crack Commandments” or his much-imitated, never-duplicated flow.

## Track listing

**Disc two**

**Disc one notes**

* "Life After Death Intro" contains samples of "Suicidal Thoughts" by the Notorious B.I.G., and "This Masquerade" by George Benson.
* "Somebody's Gotta Die" contains a sample of "In the Rain" by the Dramatics.
* "Hypnotize" contains a sample of "Rise" by Herb Alpert, and an interpolation of "La Di Da Di" by Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh.
* "Kick in the Door" contains a sample of "I Put a Spell on You" by Screamin' Jay Hawkins, "Unbelievable" by the Notorious B.I.G., interpolations of "Get Money" by Junior M.A.F.I.A., "Wash Yo Ass" by Martin Lawrence, and "Robby, the Cook, and 60 Gallons of Booze" by Bebe and Louis Barron.
* "I Love the Dough" contains a sample and an interpolation of "I Love You More" by René & Angela, and "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" by Rod Stewart.
* "What's Beef" contains a sample of "I'm Glad You're Mine" by Al Green and "Close to You" by Richard Evans.
* "B.I.G. Interlude" contains a sample of "P.S.K. What Does It Mean?" by Schooly D.
* "Mo Money Mo Problems" contains a sample of "I'm Coming Out" by Diana Ross.
* "N\*ggas Bleed" contains a sample of "Hey, Who Really Cares" by the Whispers.
* "I Got a Story to Tell" contains a sample of "I'm Glad You're Mine" by Al Green.

**Disc two notes**

* "Notorious Thugs" contains a sample of "More Than Love" by Ohio Players.
* "Miss U" contains an interpolation of "Missing You" by Diana Ross.
* "Another" contains a sample and interpolation of "Another Man" by Barbara Mason.
* "Going Back to Cali" contains a sample of "More Bounce to the Ounce" by Zapp.
* "Ten Crack Commandments" contains samples of "Vallarta" by Les McCann, and "Shut 'Em Down" by Public Enemy.
* "Playa Hater" contains a sample and interpolation of "Hey Love" by the Delfonics.
* "Nasty Boy" contains a sample of "Cavern" by Liquid Liquid.
* "Sky's the Limit" contains a sample of "My Flame" by Bobby Caldwell.
* "The World Is Filled..." contains a sample of "Space Talk" by Asha Puthli, and "The What" by the Notorious B.I.G.
* "My Downfall" contains a sample of "For the Good Times" by Al Green and an interpolation of "You're All I Need to Get By" by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.
* "Long Kiss Goodnight" contains a sample of "The Letter" by Al Green.

## Personnel

Musicians

* Christopher "The Notorious B.I.G." Wallace – writer, rap performer, additional production
* Sean "Puffy" Combs – featured rap performer
* Lil' Kim – featured rap performer
* Jay-Z – featured rap performer
* Too Short – featured rap performer
* Mase – featured rap performer
* Bizzy Bone – featured rap performer
* Krayzie Bone – featured rap performer
* Layzie Bone – featured rap performer
* Jadakiss – featured rap performer
* Styles P – featured rap performer
* Sheek Louch – featured rap performer
* 112 – featured vocals
* R. Kelly – featured vocals
* DMC – featured vocals
* Angela Winbush – featured vocals
* Kelly Price – vocals
* Pamela Long – additional vocals
* Carl Thomas – additional vocals
* Faith Evans – background vocals
* Karen Anderson – background vocals
* Keanna Henson – background vocals
* Deborah Neeley Rolle – background vocals
* Ron Grant – background vocals
* Michael Ciro – guitar
* Butch Ingram – writer/publisher

Production

* Sean "Puffy" Combs – producer, mixing
* Carlos "6 July" Broady – producer, hammond organ
* Deric "D-Dot" Angelettie – producer
* Stevie J – producer
* Nashiem Myrick – producer
* Ron Lawrence – producer
* Easy Mo Bee – producer
* DJ Premier – producer
* Clark Kent – producer
* RZA – producer
* Havoc – producer
* Buckwild – producer
* Kay Gee – editor, producer
* Chucky Thompson – producer
* DJ Enuff – producer
* Daron Jones – producer
* Paragon – producer
* Jiv Pos – producer
* Mike Pitts – assistant producer, editor
* Michael Patterson – engineer, mixing
* Charles "Prince Charles" Alexander – engineer, mixing
* Lane Craven – engineer, mixing
* Manny Marroquin – engineer
* Camilo Argumedes – engineer
* Stephen Dent – engineer
* Ben Garrison – engineer
* Rasheed Goodlowe – engineer
* Steve Jones – engineer
* Rich July – engineer
* John Meredith – engineer
* Lynn Montrose – engineer
* Axel Niehaus – engineer
* Diana Pedraza – engineer
* Doug Wilson – engineer
* Tony Maserati – mixing
* Paul Logus – mixing
* Eddie Sancho – mixing
* Richard Travali – mixing
* Herb Powers – mastering

Template:Life After Death