"In faith, the phrase "born again" is largely symbolic, meaning a surrendering of one's soul to a higher will, faith in the unseen, a belief in the afterlife. Notorious B.I.G.'s second posthumous album, Born Again, is no memorial or tribute, it is a celebration of life. Here, we employ the phrase to breathe life into a legacy that was cut tragically short. Born Again is more than archival material unearthed to fill some void. Members of Biggie's own "family," including Lil' Kim, Lil' Cease and Puff Daddy, add verses too, given one more opportunity to flow with their hero and friend. It is a staggering achievement put together with dedication, reverence and true love by Bad Boy Entertainment." The press release continues with a bio discussing B.I.G.'s childhood; his come-up in the industry, as well as the release - and success - of both Ready To Die and Life After Death. Worth noting, it was B.I.G.’s demo rhyming over Big Daddy Kane's "Ain't No Half Steppin" that caught Puff's attention, he says. You remember that rhyme? "Microphone murderer, mass mayhem maker / B.I.G.'s on the mic, call the undertaker / Make an appointment / Schedule a interview / Because you know what Big Man's about to do..." In conclusion, it shares that "Born Again is a reason to rejoice and a chance to experience B.I.G. again in a way that he would have surely appreciated. Missing him is made that much more bearable because of the lasting legacy he's bequeathed - his music, his unmatched talent and his inimitable voice." While I agree with the sentiment and the intentions of this project, I'd be lying if I didn't say that I believe it fell short in its execution. Not nearly as bad as the Duets album that would later follow, but Born Again isn't an album we revisit too often. I do, however, consider Eminem's "Dead Wrong" remix to be one of the earliest tracks to set P2P platforms ablaze! I surely wish we had more music from B.I.G., but he absolutely did leave behind a legacy as one of the greatest rappers to ever touch a microphone. Rest In Peace, Notorious B.I.G.!
The Notorious B.I.G. - A Celebration of Life (Press Kit, 1999)
