Upon its release, Life After Death moved 689,600 copies in its first week album sales. In addition to this, the two monster singles – “Hypnotize” and “Mo Money Mo Problems” – both hit number one of the Billboard Hot 100 and were both nominated for Grammys. Life After Death would go on to be emulated by every up and coming rapper because of the way B.I.G. Made the allure of bitches, Bentleys and bank accounts seemingly the way to go in the music biz. “Life After Death” is a two disked, “B.I.G” sized album which trades the Brooklyn grit of “Ready to Die,” with a much cleaner sound. The beats are created for a more world-wide appeal, partly due to Puffy’s sales push, and the album sounds massive in return.
Life After Death Album Sales
Life After Death Full Album
CNN - Gangsta rap revels in 'Life After Death' - April 11, 1997 Gangsta rap revels in 'Life After Death' April 11, 1997 Web posted at: 8:00 a.m. EST (CNN) - For slain rapper Notorious B.I.G. There is 'Life After Death,' as the title of his posthumous album proclaims.
After falling victim to the violent world he sang about, B.I.G.' S album debuted at the top of the Billboard charts with initial sales of over 700,000. Notorious B.I.G.' S stellar chart position is nothing new to a breed of gangsta rappers used to racking up mega-sales in life, and death. One doesn't need an accounting degree to realize that rap music is alive and well in the United States. Americans spent some $2.7 million on rap every day in 1996, bringing the year's total to almost $1 billion.
And Gangsta Rap is the genre's kingpin, fueled lately by the albums of the recently departed Tupac Shakur and B.I.G. 'Life After Death' scored the largest weekly sales figure since the Beatles 'Anthology One' appeared on record store shelves in 1995. 'It doesn't surprise me, but that's (dying) a hell of a price to pay for a hit record,' said legendary producer of gangsta rap successes from beyond the grave. 'It's got to end man,' added Jones. Shakur's posthumous album, 'Makaveli,' also opened on top of the Billboard charts in October of last year and, according to industry watcher ScoundScan, has sold more than 2.5 million copies since. Of Vibe Enterprises puts it this way: 'Their music was urgent. It spoke to the angst of the young generation and their music was real.
In their passing, and all the emotional fallout of their passing, will only increase the interest for a lot of people.' However, believe that interest is misdirected and expect a backlash against the culture of violence. 'It is a genocidal track that our young people are following which leads us to death or to jail,' said a concerned of the National Congress of Black Women. Insiders, however, see no backlash.
They expect to see hard rapping acts, such as Wu Tang Clan and Scarface, to continue their reign near the top of the charts. 'It's kinda like gangsta movies; people love gangsta movies; people love my street-oriented music,' observed, a former resident at the top of Billboard's chart. 'That's probably why it won't fade.' Related stories:.
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