By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer
XXL has been heavily-influenced by The Notorious B.I.G. since its inception. The test issue of the magazine, released in late 1996, featured B.I.G. on the cover. But, when the first official issue was released, The Notorious B.I.G. was dead. Every year, hip hop acknowledges the death of B.I.G.
Throughout this week, XXL has been covering The Notorious B.I.G., naming their week “Biggie Week.” On Monday, they started things off looking back on the debut album from The Notorious B.I.G., Ready to Die, by the numbers. A couple days ago, they also looked back on Life After Death.
Since The Notorious B.I.G. died following the recording of the album, which was released a few weeks after his death, the album was very eerie. In many ways, it was if he knew he was going to die. Fueled by his death, The Notorious B.I.G.’s sophomore album remains the highest-selling hip hop album of all-time, going Diamond.
Read XXL’s by the numbers on The Notorious B.I.G. below:
