Nashiem Myrick (“Somebody’s Gotta Die,” “What’s Beef”)Įasy Mo Bee (“I Love The Dough,” “Going Back To Cali”) Steven “ Stevie J” Jordan (“Mo Money Mo Problems,” “Notorious Thugs,” “Another”)

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Notorious B.I.G’s Life After Death album (March 25), hear stories from some of the producers who worked, created, and partied with Biggie, and how they defined an era of hip-hop.

But those who worked closely with him on the album remember the early stages of its creation and Biggie’s star power with fondness. The album was released on a somber note, rolling out two weeks after the late rapper was killed leaving a VIBE party in Los Angeles. Even so, the album’s crisp, club-friendly beats on singles like “Hypnotize” and its striking storytelling on “You’re Nobody (Til Somebody Kills You),” made it a classic and turned Biggie into one of the greatest to ever do it.

While the album would serve as the follow-up to his 1994 project, Ready to Die, unbeknownst to just about everyone, it would also serve as a eulogy for his death.

Life after death biggie smalls album