"Ready to Die" was the 1994 debut studio album of which New York rapper?

Ready to Die was the 1994 debut studio album of New York rapper The Notorious B.I.G., also known as Biggie Smalls. Bad Boy Records released it on September 13, 1994, with distribution through Arista Records.

The album was recorded in New York between 1993 and 1994, primarily at The Hit Factory and D&D Studios. Its production included contributions from Sean Combs, Easy Mo Bee, DJ Premier, Lord Finesse, Chucky Thompson, and several other influential producers. The songs combine vivid street narratives with dark humor, vulnerability, ambition, and reflections on violence and mortality.

Ready to Die helped establish Biggie as the leading voice of New York’s East Coast rap scene. Its singles included Juicy, Big Poppa, and One More Chance, while the album’s sharply detailed storytelling influenced generations of rappers.

A frequent mix-up is confusing Ready to Die with Life After Death. Ready to Die was Biggie’s debut, while Life After Death was his second studio album, released in 1997 shortly after his death. The two albums also helped define different stages of his career.