THE UK CORNER (ALBUM REVIEW): The 'Notorious' soundtrack

     *Some critics have said that the biopic Notorious presents a sanitized version of Christopher Wallace, AKA Notorious B.I.G, later known as Biggie Smalls.

     The film's soundtrack is anything but. There is a raw veracity in Biggie's profound and insightful storytelling. He comes to life once more capturing the essence of the nineties.

     A host of performers appear to remind us that while Biggie may be gone, his contribution to music cannot be forgotten. The sombre Notorious Thugs, a duet with Bone Thugs -N- Harmony, kicks the set off. But a party atmosphere is quickly injected with Hypnotize and Notorious B.I.G featuring Lil Kim and Puff (rather than P. Diddy) Daddy.

     On tracks such as Juicy you really get a sense of Biggie's iconic rap prowess. Hip-Hop connoisseurs regard this as a classic fifteen years after its release as Biggie's debut single. It sky rocketed him to notoriety. The song itself used a sample but has gone on to be sampled by the likes of Teedra Moses.

     This album offers much for hardcore hip-hop fans. Many of the tracks present a dark persona, though many say while Biggie was no saint, he was not simply a sinner. The soundtrack offers the chance to hear one of raps greatest talents flow.

     Perhaps most notably Biggie shines on One More Chance evoking memories of the video, which represents a snapshot of 1995 featuring cameos from an array of artists: Biggie's former wife Faith Evans, Mary J Blige, Aaliyah, Total, Heavy D, Da Brat, Jermaine Dupri, Patra, Miss Jones, Queen Latifah, Craig Mack, Tyson Beckford, and Changing Faces. Touchingly, Biggie's son CJ raps with his father on One More Chance/The Legacy (Remix), his mum Faith Evans is on vocals. But twelve-year-old CJ only takes the clean lines.

     The soundtrack features cameos from Biggie's schoolmate Jay-Z. He drops a Jamaican rhyme (perhaps in homage to Biggie's roots) on a gem, Brooklyn We Go Hard, alongside Santo Gold. Their appearance brings Biggie's musical legacy up to date indicating his far-reaching influence.
 
     Jadakiss, Biggie's protégé under The Lox, bridges the history from the nineties to 2009 with updates on Junior Maffia, Biggie's children and the Hip-Hop industry. Yet guest appearances cannot outshine Biggie's presence and personality on Kick in the Door, from beyond the grave. Biggie's wordplay is sadly still pertinent to the street life. The vitality of the soundtrack is undeniable. Demo cuts of early, little known recordings prove that Biggie was always destined to become rap royalty.

     The soundtrack to Notorious is out now on Warner Music.  

"Notorious" soundtrack track listing, by Bad Boy Records:

1.Notorious Thugs Featuring Bone Thus N Harmony

2.Hypnotize

3.Notorious Featuring Lil' Kim and Puff Daddy

4.Juicy

5.Party & Bullshit

6.Warning

7.One More Chance/ Stay With Me Remix

8.Brooklyn Go Hard (Performed by Jay-Z featuring Santogold)

9.Letter to B.I.G. (Performed by Jadakiss featuring Faith Evans)

10.Kick in the Door

11.Whats Beef

12.The World is Filled Featuring Too Short and Puff Daddy

13.One More Chance/ The Legacy (Remix) Featuring CJ Wallace and Faith Evans

14.The Notorious Theme (Composed by Danny Elfman)

15.Microphone Murderer (Demo)

16.Guaranteed Raw (Demo)

17.Love No Ho (Original Demo Version)

The UK Corner covers urban entertainment from a British perspective and is written by Fiona McKinson. She is a freelance journalist and creative writer based in London. Contact her at info@thetalentshow.co.uk.