Share
Breaking Atoms: The Hip Hop Podcast
Elements: Ready To Die by The Notorious B.I.G.
In the first episode of our new series, Elements, we celebrate the 30th anniversary of Ready To Die by The Notorious B.I.G.! You'll hear from those who were part of the album's creation—producers, engineers, and collaborators who helped craft its unique sound. We'll also bring you trusted voices from the community and people who lived the same experiences Biggie rapped about, offering a firsthand view into the world he depicted. And we'll hear from scholars who will deconstruct the social, political, intellectual, philosophical and psychological depths of Ready to Die.
Special guests include:
- Prince Charles Alexander (Recording Engineer and lecturer who recorded several songs on the album)
- Donald Harrison (Legendary Jazz Saxophonist who taught Biggie about musical performance and poetic devices)
- Justin Tinsley (Journalist and Author of 'It Was All A Dream: Biggie & The World That Made Him)
- Skyzoo (Rapper, Writer and Artist from Brooklyn who was one of Biggie's neighbours)
Join us as we unpack the human experience through the lens of one of hip-hop's greatest storytellers.
Special thanks to Dart Adams for linking us up with Prince Charles Alexander. Respect every time.
Produced by Sumit Sharma and Chris Mitchell for Breaking Atoms.
The series and episode artwork is by Pecue for Sole Imperial.
Connect with Breaking Atoms
Follow Sumit
Follow Chris
More episodes
View all episodes
211. Weekly Rap Up: The Company Man Vs What's The Dirt, Young Dolph's killer gets life in prison and more!
27:53||Ep. 211In this week's rap-up, Sumit and Chris discuss:The Company Man (Justin Hunte) and What's The Dirt engage in a heated debateYoung Dolph's killer found guilty and sentenced to life in prisonUnreleased Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar album in the vaults, according to ConsequenceConnect with Breaking AtomsInstagramFacebookTwitterFollow SumitInstagramTwitterFollow ChrisInstagramTwitter210. Weekly Rap Up: Diddy arrested and denied bail, 50 Cent teases new show with Idris Elba, Drake trying to buy Dame Dash's Roc-A-Fella shares and more!
23:07||Ep. 210In this week's rap-up, Sumit and Chris discuss:Puffy's arrested and bail denial50 Cent teasing a new show with Idris ElbaDame Dash claims that Drake has made an offer to buy Roc-A-Fella sharesConnect with Breaking AtomsInstagramFacebookTwitterFollow SumitInstagramTwitterFollow ChrisInstagramTwitter209. Weekly Rap Up: Superbowl fall out, new Kendrick Lamar song, D'Angelo update and new music!
25:16||Ep. 209In this week's rap-up, Sumit and Chris discuss:Superbowl advert and fallout with responses from Nicki Minaj, Birdman, Master P, Cam'ron and MaseKendrick Lamar's new songNews on D'Angelo getting ready to drop new musicA short reflection on the recent deaths including Fatman Scoop, Frankie Beverly and Rich Homie QuanThe hosts also provide a quick rundown of new music, including drops from Doechii, LL Cool J, Nines and more. Connect with Breaking AtomsInstagramFacebookTwitterFollow SumitInstagramTwitterFollow ChrisInstagramTwitter208. Weekly Rap Up: New Clipse album, Irv Gotti's stroke, Reasonable Doubt masters ownership, Cardi B's "correctional facilities" comment and new music!
32:15||Ep. 208In this week's rap-up, Sumit and Chris discuss:New Clipse albumIrv Gotti having a stroke and diabetes complicationsThe everlasting saga of Dame Dash Vs Jay-Z and the Reasonable Doubt mastersCardi B calling Atlantic Records a "correctional facility"The hosts also provide a quick rundown of new music, including drops from Curren$y, DJ Fresh, Big Sean, Robert Glasper, Juicy J and more.Connect with Breaking AtomsInstagramFacebookTwitterFollow SumitInstagramTwitterFollow ChrisInstagramTwitter207. Godfather Don
31:09||Ep. 207You know the name, or at least you should. Check the credits. Godfather Don has worked with most of your favourites, including Kool Keith, Cormega and Screwball. His solo catalogue is exemplary, and his work on Hydra Entertainment is damn near mythical at this point. Veteran New York Emcee and Producer Godfather Don pulls up to the pod for a rare and exclusive interview. Don doesn't talk much, so we listened for the most part because nerdy details and unearthed gems were released at will. Before heading out with his saxophone to meet his jazz band for a session, Don opens up about Flatbush Hip-Hop history, how his writing style has evolved, and why he describes his creative process as "meat and potatoes". We also deep dive into the making of his brand new album Thesis (dropping on 30 August 2024!) and share some exclusive snippets from some of the album cuts - because we're connected like that.Respect to the HHV team for connecting the dots and creating an intricate plot.Pre-order the new Thesis album by Godfather Don at www.hhv.de: godfather-don.lnk.to/thesisAvailable in limited quantities on 4LP (incl. all instrumentals), 2LP (vocal tracks only), double cassette (incl. all instrumentals), 2CD (incl. all instrumentals) and digitally on all major platforms.Connect with Breaking AtomsInstagramFacebookTwitterFollow SumitInstagramTwitterFollow ChrisInstagramTwitter206. Spanish Ran
40:44||Ep. 206We're back with another exclusive interview, and this week's guest is a story of perseverance in Hip Hop culture. Spanish Ran is a producer from New York who came into the game on the humble, studied the greats and now calls those same greats, 'peers' and, in some cases, 'friends'. Ran shares his Hip Hop origin story, details his relationship with Lenny S, working as an A & R and bringing Rapsody and Westside Gunn to Roc Nation, working with Bloo Azul, Al-Doe and Tree Mason and the inspiration of the late, great MF DOOM. P.S. Ran's timekeeping is impeccable. He was early for his interview. We respect it. Connect with Breaking AtomsInstagramFacebookTwitterFollow SumitInstagramTwitterFollow ChrisInstagramTwitter205. Weekly Rap Up: The Lox on Tiny Desk, Snoop Dogg shows love to Queen Elizabeth II, 50 Cent launching new TV network and new music!
32:41||Ep. 205In this week's rap-up, Sumit and Chris discuss:The Lox on Tiny DeskSnoop Dogg's friendship with Queen Elizabeth II (RIP)50 Cent launching TV network with LionsgateDame Dash's shares of 'Reasonable Doubt' by Jay-Z being auctionedThe hosts also provide a quick rundown of new music, including drops from Killer Mike, Wiz Khalifa and more.Connect with Breaking AtomsInstagramFacebookTwitterFollow SumitInstagramTwitterFollow ChrisInstagramTwitter204. Weekly Rap Up: Eminem Vs Slim Shady, Elliott Wilson claps back at Charlemagne, Diddy being named a 2Pac murder suspect and new music!
28:46||Ep. 204In this week's rap-up, Sumit and Chris discuss:Eminem Vs Slim ShadyNew single from DJ Premier featuring Rick Ross, Big Sean and Lil' WayneElliott Wilson claps back at Charlemagne over the Complex 'Hip Hop Media' listDiddy being named as a suspect in 2Pac's murderLil' Wayne allegedly dissing DrakeThe hosts also provide a quick rundown of new music, including drops from Rakim, DJ Muggs & Raz Fresco, Vic Spencer, Mustard, Da Flyy Hooligan and more.Connect with Breaking AtomsInstagramFacebookTwitterFollow SumitInstagramTwitterFollow ChrisInstagramTwitter