Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsRolling Stone’s 2022 ranking of the 50 best Notorious B.I.G. songs is a critic-authored selection, not an official or objective canon. It spans solo tracks, guest verses and remixes, making it both a guide to Christopher Wallace’s music and a portrait of how one publication weighs his storytelling, flow, emotion, hooks and production.
What this ranking is—and what it includes
Rolling Stone published its 50-song list on March 9, 2022, marking the 25th anniversary of Wallace’s death. The publication identifies Christopher George Latore Wallace as The Notorious B.I.G. and says he was fatally shot in Los Angeles on March 9, 1997, at age 24, with one album released at the time. The list is an editorial tribute; its order reflects critics’ judgment rather than a formal scoring system or universal verdict. Read Rolling Stone’s ranking and song-by-song commentary.
![90s Baby Ultimate Collection of The Decade Greatest Hits of the Era 60+ Tracks Featuring Destiny’s Child, Jennifer Lopez, TLC, The Notorious B.I.G., Whitney Houston and many more! - 3CD Set [CD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ajZWHuJUL._SL160_.jpg)
Not every entry is a Biggie-led solo recording. The list includes, for example, “Miss U” featuring 112, “Can’t You See” by Total featuring The Notorious B.I.G., and 112’s “Only You (Bad Boy Remix)” featuring Biggie and Ma$e. Those are different kinds of recordings: a solo track, a guest appearance and a remix. Keeping that context in view helps explain why the ranking is a selection of songs associated with Biggie, not simply a list of tracks from his solo albums.
How to make sense of the order
Rolling Stone’s comments discuss qualities such as narrative craft, rhythmic flow, emotional depth and songcraft, but the publication does not provide a scoring formula. A useful way to read the ranking is to consider several dimensions together:
#1 Best Overall
- Storytelling: how vividly a song builds a scene, character or narrative.
- Flow and delivery: the cadence, rhythmic control and personality in Biggie’s performance.
- Emotion and writing: the song’s feeling, perspective and lyrical choices.
- Hooks and production: how the chorus, beat and overall arrangement shape the track.
- Recording context: whether the entry is a solo performance, a feature or a remix, each of which gives Biggie a different role.
These are listening lenses, not criteria Rolling Stone says it formally scored. The ranking’s position for any one track should therefore be read as that publication’s critical preference, rather than a measurable statement about popularity or consensus.
Chart and catalog context
UK chart history offers a separate view of the music’s commercial reach. The Official Charts Company lists entries for “Hypnotize,” “Mo Money Mo Problems” and “Sky’s the Limit.” It also shows Ready to Die at No. 9 on its Official Vinyl Albums Chart, with two weeks on the displayed chart entry; that is the chart page’s reported peak and run, not an artistic ranking. See The Notorious B.I.G.’s Official Charts history.
For a catalog overview, Apple Music describes The Notorious B.I.G. Greatest Hits as a 2007 hip-hop/rap compilation that brings together tracks from Ready to Die and Life After Death alongside other material, including posthumously engineered duets. That description does not establish that the compilation contains every song in Rolling Stone’s 50. View the compilation on Apple Music.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where to start listening
Use Rolling Stone’s list as a route through different sides of Biggie’s recorded work: compare solo performances with guest verses and remixes, and listen for how delivery, narrative, hooks and production change from track to track. For album context, Ready to Die and Life After Death are useful starting points; the 2007 Greatest Hits compilation is another way into the catalog, though its track list is not identical by definition to the 50-song ranking.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallQuick Recap
Best Value
- Officially Licensed Merch
- High Quality Print and Material
- Ready to Die Graphic
Rank #3
- Shrink-wrapped
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
