The Notorious B.I.G. - born Christopher Wallace on May 21, 1972 - would have celebrated his 50th birthday this year.  Though the groundbreaking rapper was murdered at the age of 24 in March 1997, his estate is teaming with Bad Boy, Rhino, and Atlantic Records to remember him with a yearlong campaign known as Sky's The Limit: A Year Celebrating the Legacy of the Notorious B.I.G. launching on March 25.  While the campaign will encompass digital releases, 4K upgrades of his music videos on YouTube, online events, and more, the centerpiece may well be the 25th Anniversary Super Deluxe edition of his posthumously-released sophomore album Life After Death.  The 8-LP box will arrive from Rhino on June 10.

Life After Death was released on Bad Boy and Arista Records just sixteen days after B.I.G.'s death.  The expansive double album featured collaborative efforts with Jay-Z, Lil' Kim, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, D.M.C. of Run D.M.C., Puff Daddy, Angela Winbush, and others.  The artist intended for Life After Death to reach a broader audience than its predecessor, 1994's Ready to Die, and by all accounts he achieved that goal.  It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and became the first album to yield two consecutive chart-topping singles, "Hypnotize" and "Mo Money Mo Problems."  Ultimately, Life After Death charted around the world including in the U.K., Canada, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, New Zealand, and Australia, and at home in the U.S. was recognized as the year's best-selling R&B album and eighth best-selling Pop album.  Among its Grammy nominations were nods for Best Rap Album, Best Rap Solo Performance ("Hypnotize"), and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group ("Mo Money, Mo Problems," featuring Mase, Puff Daddy, and Kelly Price).  Life After Death has earned a Diamond Certification from the RIAA for sales of over five million copies.

The upcoming box set is quadruple the size of the original double-LP, with eight vinyl albums including the remastered Life After Death (now presented on three LPs), and reissues of the original 12-inch singles of "Hypnotize," "Mo Money Mo Problems," "Sky's the Limit," and "Nasty Boy."  These are accompanied by a booklet featuring new liner notes by Sheldon Pearce, exclusive quotes from key personnel involved with the album, and rare photos from the original album cover shoot.  Everything is housed within a lavish box with a lift-up lid.

This tribute to Notorious B.I.G. is due from Bad Boy, Rhino, and Atlantic on June 10 and can be pre-ordered at the links below.  You'll also find the complete track listing with discographical annotation!

The Notorious B.I.G., Life After Death (25th Anniversary Super Deluxe) (Bad Boy/Atlantic/Rhino, 2022) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

LPs 1-3: Original album (released as Bad Boy 78612 73011-1/2, 1997)

1. Life After Death
2. Somebody's Gotta Die
3. Hypnotize
4. Kick in the Door
5. Fuck You Tonight
6. Last Day
7. I Love the Dough
8. What's Beef?

1. B.I.G. Interlude
2. Mo Money Mo Problems
3. Niggas Bleed
4. I Gotta Story to Tell
5. Notorious Thugs
6. Miss U
7. Another
8. Going Back to Cali

1. Ten Crack Commandments
2. Playa Hater
3. Nasty Boy
4. Sky's the Limit
5. The World is Filled...
6. My Downfall
7. Long Kiss Goodnight
8. You're Nobody (Til Somebody Kills You)

LP 4: "Hypnotized" 12" (originally released as Bad Boy 78612 79089-1, 1997)

1. Hypnotize (Radio Mix)
2. Hypnotize (Instrumental)
3. Hypnotize (Club Mix)

LP 5: "Mo Money Mo Problems" 12" (originally released as Bad Boy 78612 79109-1, 1997)

1. Mo Money Mo Problems (Radio Mix)
2. Mo Money Mo Problems (Instrumental)
3. Mo Money Mo Problems
4. Fuck You Tonight

LP 6-7: "Sky's the Limit" 12" (originally released as Bad Boy 78612 79120-1, 1997)

1. Sky's the Limit (Radio Edit)
2. Kick in the Door (Radio Edit)
3. Going Back to Cali (Radio Edit)
4. Sky's the Limit (Instrumental)

1. Kick in the Door (Club Mix)
2. Going Back to Cali (Club Mix)
3. Kick in the Door (Instrumental)
4. Going Back to Cali (Instrumental)

LP 8: "Nasty Boy" 12" (originally released as Bad Boy promo BBDP-9128, 1997)

1. Nasty Boy (Radio Edit)
2. Nasty Boy (Instrumental)
3. Nasty Boy