Born Again (The Notorious B.I.G. album)

Born Again
Born Again
Compilation album by The Notorious B.I.G.
Released	December 7, 1999
Genre	Gangsta rap; hardcore hip hop;
Length	75:16
Label	Bad Boy; Arista;
Producer	Sean "Puffy" Combs (also exec.); Faith Evans (exec.); Voletta Wallace (exec.); Mark Pitts (exec.); Harve Pierre (exec.); Daven "Prestige" Vanderpool; Timbaland; DJ Clark Kent; DJ Premier; Nottz; Mannie Fresh; Nashiem Myrick; Deric Angelettie; Clemont Mack; Andreao "Fanatic" Heard Frankie Cutlass;
The Notorious B.I.G. chronology
Singles from Born Again
	"Dead Wrong"; Released: October 26, 1999; "Notorious B.I.G."; Released: January 3, 2000;

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	^[1]
Robert Christgau	link
The A.V. Club	(favorable) link
Entertainment Weekly	B+ link
Pitchfork	6.0/10^[2]
Rolling Stone	link
The Rolling Stone Album Guide	^[3]
Los Angeles Times	link

Born Again is the first posthumous compilation album by American rapper the Notorious B.I.G., released by Bad Boy Records and Arista Records on December 7, 1999. It is composed primarily of early recorded verses with newer beats and guest rappers.

The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart with 485,000 albums sold in the first week, and was certified 2x Platinum by the RIAA on January 14, 2000 and has sold over 2,350,000 copies in the United States.^[4] Born Again received generally mixed reviews from music critics.

Critical reception

The album generally received mixed reviews from critics. In a contemporary review for Rolling Stone, Touré wrote that the "album won't damage his legacy. But Born Again won't improve that legacy much, either."^[5] Rob Sheffield later wrote in The Rolling Stone Album Guide, "the posthumous Born Again proved Biggie was still dead, but his place in the MCs Hall of Fame remains untouchable."^[6] Robert Christgau, who gave the release a "dud" rating, later wrote, "Remember that posthumous outtakes CD Bad Boy attributed to Biggie? No? Good then—it was foul, not just ill shit but stupid ill shit."^[7]

Track listing

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.^[8]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Born Again" (Intro)	Christopher Wallace	J-Dub Harve "Joe Hooker" Pierre	1:28
2.	"Notorious B.I.G." (featuring Lil' Kim and Puff Daddy)	Wallace Daven Vanderpool John Taylor Nicholas Bates Simon LeBon	Daven "Prestige" Vanderpool P. Diddy	3:11
3.	"Dead Wrong" (featuring Eminem)	Osten Harvey Jr. Wallace	Chucky Thompson P. Diddy Mario "Yellow Man" Winans Pierre^[c] Easy Mo Bee^[d]	4:57
4.	"Hope You Niggas Sleep" (featuring Cash Money Millionaires)	Harvey Jr. Wallace	Mannie Fresh Easy Mo Bee^[d]	4:10
5.	"Dangerous MC's" (featuring Mark Curry, Snoop Dogg and Busta Rhymes)	Wallace Trevor Smith Mark Curry Dominick Lamb Calvin Broadus	Dominick "Nottz" Lamb Pierre^[c]	5:15
6.	"Biggie" (performed by Junior M.A.F.I.A.)	Nashiem Myrick Wallace Kimberly Jones James Lloyd Jamel Fisher Antoine Spain Wes Farrell John Bahler	Nashiem Myrick Pierre^[c]	5:22
7.	"Niggas"	Wallace Tony Dofat	P. Diddy Ramahn "Jer-Z" Herbert Clemont "Cash Us Clay" Mack Winans^[a] Tony Dofat^[d]	3:48
8.	"Big Booty Hoes" (featuring Too $hort)	Wallace Vanderpool David Mathews Luther Campbell Allen Toussaint	Vanderpool Pierre^[c]	3:27
9.	"Would You Die for Me" (featuring Lil’ Kim and Puff Daddy)	Prince Vanderpool Wallace Jones Sean Combs Steven Jordan	P. Diddy Vanderpool Stevie J^[d]	3:36
10.	"Come On" (featuring Sadat X)	Robert Hall Wallace Charles Aznavour Don Black Robert Gall Gerry Goffin Michael Masser	DJ Clark Kent Lord Finesse^[d]	4:37
11.	"Rap Phenomenon" (featuring Method Man & Redman)	Wallace Christopher Martin Clifford Smith Reggie Noble Thom Bell Roland Chambers Kenneth Gamble Ike Lee Tracey Lee	DJ Premier Pierre^[c]	4:02
12.	"Let Me Get Down" (featuring G-Dep, Craig Mack and Missy Elliott)	Deric Angelettie Trevell Coleman Craig Mack Barry White	Deric "D-Dot" Angelettie Pierre^[c]	4:33
13.	"Tonight" (featuring Mobb Deep and Joe Hooker)	Wallace Robert Diggs Kejuan Muchita Albert Johnson Harve Pierre Nickolas Ashford Valerie Simpson	P. Diddy Chris "Cornbread" Cresco Pierre^[c] RZA^[d]	6:08
14.	"If I Should Die Before I Wake" (featuring Black Rob, Ice Cube and Beanie Sigel)	Angelettie Eric Matlock Henri Charlemagne Robert Ross O'Shea Jackson Dwight Grant	Angelettie Eric "Coptic" Matlock Henri Charlemagne Garrette "Blake" Smith^[b] Pierre^[c]	4:51
15.	"Who Shot Ya?"	Combs Wallace Myrick Allie Wrubel Herbert Magidson	Myrick	3:48
16.	"Can I Get Witcha" (featuring Lil' Cease)	Carl Thompson Wallace Lloyd LeRoy Bell Casey James	Thompson	3:36
17.	"I Really Want to Show You" (featuring Nas and K-Ci & JoJo)	Wallace Ed Fox Alan Scott	Andreao "Fanatic" Heard P. Diddy The Bluez Brothers^[d]	5:09
18.	"Ms. Wallace" (Outro)	Voletta Wallace	Pierre Voletta Wallace	3:18

Notes

^{^[a]} signifies a co-producer
^{^[b]} signifies an additional producer
^{^[c]} signifies a vocal producer
^{^[d]} signifies the original producer

Notes/Vocal sample sources

Biggie's vocals from "Notorious" come from "Real Niggaz (Freestyle)"
Biggie's vocals from "Dead Wrong" come from "Dead Wrong» (Original Version) (1994)"
Biggie's vocals from "Hope You Niggas Sleep" come from "Dead Wrong» (Original Version) (1994)"
Biggie's vocals from "Niggas" come from "Niggas (Original Version)"
Biggie's vocals from "Big Booty Hoes" come from "Bust A Nuke" by Luke ft. Notorious BIG (1996)
Biggie's vocals from "Would You Die for Me?" come from "Friend of Mine"
Biggie's vocals from "Come On" come from "Come On» (Original Version) (1994)"
Biggie's vocals from "Rap Phenomenon»" come from "Kick In The Door?" and "The What"
Biggie's vocals from "Let Me Get Down" come from "Let Me Get Down" (Original Version) with Craig Mack
Biggie's vocals from "Tonight" come from "Long Kiss Goodnight"
Biggie's vocals from "If I Should Die Before I Wake" come from "Stop The Breaks" by Ron G ft. Killa Sin, KRS-1, Notorious BIG & Raekwon
Biggie's vocals from "I Really Want to Show You" come from "Everyday Struggle"

Sample credits

"Notorious B.I.G." contains a sample of "Notorious", performed by Duran Duran.
"Dead Wrong" contains a sample of "I'm Glad You're Mine", performed by Al Green.
"Biggie" contains a sample of "Hang Your Head in Shame", performed by New York City.
"Big Booty Hoes" contains a sample of "Crab Apple", performed by Idris Muhammad from the album Turn This Mutha Out.
"Would You Die for Me" contains a sample of "Kiss", performed by Prince.
"Come On" contains a sample of "For Mama", performed by Doc Severinsen and excerpts from the film Harlem Nights.
"Rap Phenomenon" contains a sample from "Risin' to the Top" performed by Keni Burke.
"Let Me Get Down" contains a sample of "Love Serenade (Part II)", performed by Barry White from the album Just Another Way to Say I Love You.
"Tonight" contains a sample of "Just Say Just Say", performed by Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross from the album Diana & Marvin.
"If I Should Die Before I Wake" contains a sample of "This Is for the Lover in You", performed by Shalamar.
"Who Shot Ya?" contains a sample of "I'm Afraid the Masquerade Is Over", performed by David Porter.
"Can I Get Witcha" contains a sample of "Livin' It Up (Friday Night)" performed by Bell & James, "Humpin'" performed by The Gap Band and "Life Will Pass You By" performed by Faith Evans.
"I Really Want to Show You" "Charisma" by Tom Browne and contains interpolations of "Come and Talk to Me", performed by Jodeci.
"Niggas" contains a sample of "(Don't Worry) if There's a Hell Below, We're All Going to Go" by Curtis Mayfield.

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1999)	Peak position
Canadian Albums (Nielsen SoundScan)^[9]	14
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)^[10]	47
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)^[11]	82
UK Albums (OCC)^[12]	70
US Billboard 200^[13]	1
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)^[14]	1

Year-end charts

Chart (2000)	Position
US Billboard 200^[15]	45
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)^[16]	9

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)^[17]	2x Platinum	2,000,000^{^}
^{^} Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

^ Farley, Keith. "Born Again- The Notorious B.I.G." AllMusic. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
^ Greene, Jayson (March 9, 2017). "The Notorious B.I.G.: Born Again". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
^ Cross, Charles R. (2004). "Notorious B.I.G.". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. p. 592. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
^ "American certifications – Mack, Craig – Funk Da World". Recording Industry Association of America.
^ "Notorious B.I.G.: Born Again : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. 20 January 2000. Archived from the original on October 14, 2007. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
^ Bracket, Nathan with Christian Hoard, ed. (2004). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. New York: Fireside. p. 592. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
^ Christgau, Robert. "Nas: Consumer Guide Reviews: The Lost Tapes". The Consumer Guide. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
^ Born Again (booklet). Bad Boy, Arista. 1999.
^ http://www.billboard.com/artist/418733/notorious-big/chart?f=335
^ "Longplay-Chartverfolgung at Musicline" (in German). Musicline.de. Phononet GmbH. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
^ "Dutchcharts.nl – NOTORIOUS B.I.G. – BORN AGAIN (ALBUM)" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
^ "Notorious B.I.G. | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
^ "The Notorious B.I.G. Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
^ "The Notorious B.I.G. Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2000". Billboard. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2000". Billboard. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
^ "American album certifications – Notorious B.I.G. – Born Again". Recording Industry Association of America.

[AllMusic-1] Farley, Keith. "Born Again- The Notorious B.I.G." AllMusic. Retrieved 16 September 2018.

[2] Greene, Jayson (March 9, 2017). "The Notorious B.I.G.: Born Again". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 9, 2017.

[Cross-3] Cross, Charles R. (2004). "Notorious B.I.G.". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. p. 592. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.

[riaa-4] "American certifications – Mack, Craig – Funk Da World". Recording Industry Association of America.

[5] "Notorious B.I.G.: Born Again : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. 20 January 2000. Archived from the original on October 14, 2007. Retrieved 24 January 2014.

[6] Bracket, Nathan with Christian Hoard, ed. (2004). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. New York: Fireside. p. 592. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.

[Christgau-7] Christgau, Robert. "Nas: Consumer Guide Reviews: The Lost Tapes". The Consumer Guide. Retrieved 15 February 2014.

[liner_notes-8] Born Again (booklet). Bad Boy, Arista. 1999.

[9] ttp://www.billboard.com/artist/418733/notorious-big/chart?f=335

[ac_Germany_NOTORIOUS_B.I.G.-10] "Longplay-Chartverfolgung at Musicline" (in German). Musicline.de. Phononet GmbH. Retrieved October 11, 2013.

[ac_Netherlands_NOTORIOUS_B.I.G.-11] "Dutchcharts.nl – NOTORIOUS B.I.G. – BORN AGAIN (ALBUM)" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 11, 2013.

[ac_UK_Notorious_B.I.G.-12] "Notorious B.I.G. | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved October 11, 2013.

[ac_Billboard200_The_Notorious_B.I.G.-13] "The Notorious B.I.G. Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 11, 2013.

[ac_BillboardRandBHipHop_The_Notorious_B.I.G.-14] "The Notorious B.I.G. Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 11, 2013.

[15] "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2000". Billboard. Retrieved August 19, 2020.

[16] "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2000". Billboard. Retrieved August 19, 2020.

[United_StatesNotorious_B.I.G.Born_AgainalbumCertRef-17] "American album certifications – Notorious B.I.G. – Born Again". Recording Industry Association of America.

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v t e The Notorious B.I.G.
Songs Discography Awards and nominations Death
Studio albums	Ready to Die Life After Death
Posthumous albums	Born Again Duets: The Final Chapter The King & I
Compilations	Greatest Hits Notorious: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Singles	"Party and Bullshit" "Juicy" "Big Poppa" / "Who Shot Ya?" "One More Chance" "Hypnotize" "Mo Money Mo Problems" "Sky's the Limit" "Dead Wrong" "Notorious B.I.G." "Nasty Girl" "Spit Your Game" "Old Thing Back"
Featured singles	"Flava in Ya Ear (Remix)" "Can't You See" "The Points" "Runnin' from tha Police" "This Time Around" "It's All About the Benjamins" "Victory" "Runnin' (Dying to Live)"
Other songs	"Just Playing (Dreams)" "Notorious Thugs" "Going Back to Cali" "Ten Crack Commandments"
Related articles	Bad Boy Entertainment Sean Combs Faith Evans Junior M.A.F.I.A. Conspiracy "Player's Anthem" "I Need You Tonight" "Get Money" Lil' Cease Lil' Kim East Coast-West Coast hip hop rivalry "I'll Be Missing You" Biggie & Tupac Notorious City of Lies