Much of this soundtrack should be very familiar ("Hypnotize" and "Notorious Thugs," e.g.), but early demos "Microphone Murderer" and "Guaranteed Raw" are new jewels. Neither is revelatory, but they do highlight Biggie's ability to reinforce a track's rhythm with his booming baritone and his skill at sounding both menacing and charming. The album's other unreleased track, "Love No Ho," is interesting only because of Biggie's unusually tepid flow, which borrows from Slick Rick.

Tossing in "Hypnotize" and a few other classics, the soundtrack to the new Notorious B.I.G.
biopic plays like a greatest-hits record for an artist who doesn't need one — Biggie made
only two real records, both of which any self-respecting rap fan should own. The handful
of new tracks includes some unreleased Biggie demos and a remix featuring his
now-12-year-old son rhyming alongside Pops. Best of all is "Brooklyn Go Hard," a... More >