Today, March 25, 2025, marks the 28th anniversary of Life After Death, the second and final studio album by The Notorious B.I.G., released p...
A Posthumous Triumph
Life After Death hit the world on March 25, 1997, under Bad Boy Records and Arista, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with a staggering 690,000 copies sold in its first week. Certified 11x platinum (Diamond status), it’s one of the best-selling rap albums ever, a testament to Biggie’s lyrical genius and larger-than-life persona. The album picks up where Ready to Die (1994) left off, weaving mafioso rap tales with a polished, radio-ready sheen—thanks to producers like Sean “Puffy” Combs, The Heatmakerz, DJ Premier, and RZA.
The tracklist reads like a greatest-hits collection: “Hypnotize” and “Mo Money Mo Problems” both topped the Billboard Hot 100, a first for posthumous singles. “Ten Crack Commandments” became a street anthem, while “Notorious Thugs” showcased Biggie’s versatility alongside Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. “Sky’s the Limit” offered introspection, and “Kick in the Door” delivered raw aggression. At 24 tracks, it’s a sprawling epic, yet its cohesion and ambition—crafted amidst Biggie’s legal troubles and a near-fatal car accident in 1996—make it a marvel.
The album earned three Grammy nods in 1998: Best Rap Album, Best Rap Solo Performance for “Hypnotize,” and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for “Mo Money Mo Problems.” Released in the shadow of Biggie’s death at 24, it bridged gangsta rap’s gritty roots with mainstream appeal, reshaping the genre’s trajectory.
Today in Hip Hop History:
— O.T.G 🌐 (@365OTG) March 25, 2025
The Notorious B.I.G.’s second and final studio album Life After Death was released March 25, 1997 pic.twitter.com/NQEnoJJctg
The 28th Anniversary: A Milestone in 2025
This year’s anniversary arrives with fresh resonance. On March 20, 2025, Variety confirmed a blockbuster deal: the Notorious B.I.G.’s estate sold 50% of his music publishing and master recording rights, plus his name, image, and likeness, to Primary Wave Music. The agreement, rumored for weeks, encompasses Life After Death and his full catalog—an estimated $150 million-plus asset. Posts on X buzz with speculation, some fans hailing it as a way to “keep Biggie’s music alive,” others wary of corporate overreach diluting his art.
The sale follows the death of Biggie’s mother, Voletta Wallace, in February 2025 at 78. Voletta, who helmed the estate since 1997, reportedly greenlit the deal before her passing, capping decades of stewardship that grew the estate’s value from $10 million to upwards of $200 million. Her legacy includes reclaiming publishing rights from Bad Boy (from 50% in 1997 to 100% by 2020) and securing full master ownership in 2023. Primary Wave, known for managing catalogs of legends like Bob Marley and Whitney Houston, promises to amplify Biggie’s reach—think more syncs in movies, merch drops, and maybe even a holographic tour.
Biggie’s Legacy in 2025
The Life After Death anniversary dovetails with ongoing celebrations of Biggie’s influence. The 25th anniversary in 2022 brought a Super Deluxe 8-LP box set, featuring rare photos and 12-inch singles like “Hypnotize” and “Sky’s the Limit.” That year’s “Sky’s the Limit” campaign, tied to what would’ve been Biggie’s 50th birthday, upgraded his video catalog to 4K on YouTube and teased “additional surprises.” In 2025, Primary Wave’s involvement hints at more to come—perhaps unreleased tracks or a new biopic building on 2009’s Notorious and 2021’s Netflix doc Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell. Biggie’s cultural footprint remains indelible. His childhood Brooklyn street, renamed Christopher “Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace Way in 2019, still draws pilgrims. His bars—sharp, cinematic, and laced with humor—continue to inspire rappers from Jay-Z to Kendrick Lamar. Posts on X today, like one from
@BLACKBALLCORP , echo the sentiment: “Sixteen days after he was shot and killed, The Notorious B.I.G.'s second album…was released,” a reminder of the tragedy and triumph intertwined in Life After Death.
A Double-Edged Legacy
At 28 years old, Life After Death feels both timeless and prophetic. Tracks like “You’re Nobody (Til Somebody Kills You)” sting with irony, while “Going Back to Cali” haunts given his fate in LA. Yet its joy—Biggie’s charisma, the party-ready beats—keeps it alive. The 2025 catalog sale, though, sparks debate. Will Primary Wave honor Biggie’s vision, or turn him into a commercial caricature? Voletta’s faith in the deal suggests the former, but fans remain watchful.
Closing Thoughts
On this 28th anniversary, Life After Death stands as Biggie’s magnum opus—a sprawling, soulful farewell from a king gone too soon. As Primary Wave takes the reins in 2025, the album’s next chapter unfolds. Whether you’re spinning “Hypnotize” or dissecting “Ten Crack Commandments,” today’s a day to toast Christopher Wallace: the Notorious B.I.G., whose life after death keeps resonating, loud as ever.
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