On March 9th, 1997 a soul was snatched from this world, changing our sonic landscape forever.
It was a day that will forever live in infamy. On that day Christopher Wallace – Biggie, the Notorious B.I.G., the man, the legend – was shot and killed in Los Angeles. What he left behind is nothing short of a hip-hop legacy and it lives on today in speakerboxes and PA systems around the world.
In light of the events of the past hallowed week, how do we pay our respects? Easy; With music.
In dedication to our fallen comrade in arms, we share with you perhaps the greatest (100% opinion, but hey, we all have ‘em!) electronic mashup of a Biggie track to date: Andrew Gentry’s indelible blend of B.I.G.’s “Juicy” and Emancipator’s “First Snow.”
At first glance it’s easy to pass over this track. There are a million different versions, mixes, mashes, and the like of “Juicy,” but this one is different. Trust us.
From personal experience this song has the power to freeze dance floors, bringing everyone together in a silent swaying reflection, exuding pure Zen in the finest sense. This. Is. Real. Music.
Upon first listen it’s tough to tell that Andrew Gentry’s version wasn’t the original rendition. It’s perfect. It’s timeless. It’s beautiful. It really makes sense.
In order pay our respects for a man that spent his life crafting music and pushing the boundaries the art of the spoken word, we hope that this (in addition to all of his works) is blasted around the world this week, this month, this year… forever and always.
Legends die but their music lives on; it’s a timeless legacy to be passed on to posterity, making marks on future generations as it has with ours.
Just take a look at Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Bradley Nowell, Janis Joplin – their work can still be heard on stereos and in cars every single day. They gave us something to be shared between cultures, across languages, and spanning generations. Words that combined to make stories, coupled with chords and melodies that formed songs. Songs that resonate with us.
Music and dance; a simple pleasure that every society enjoys, something that we all can relate to. These artists – Biggie included – spread their stories and shared them with the world, telling us a little something about theirs.
