The prevalence of keyboards add to the dark, introverted mood of much of the album, while also working to smooth out the sound as a juxtaposition to Biggie’s often aggressive delivery, which in turn has the added effect of making his sly-winking asides funnier and his sex rhymes sound filthier. Especially when compared to contemporaneous New York hip hop records such as Illmatic, Hard To Earn, Midnight Marauders or Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), the smoother moments of the production feel like a nod to the West Coast, in particular Dr. Dre’s The Chronic (hello, synth line from Big Poppa), a sample from which is used as the hook in the album’s first song.

An irony, considering the coastal wars that would soon ensue and consume Biggie’s career and life. The misogynistic nature of the lyrics has not aged well and frankly the numerous sex skits have always been an uncomfortable listen.

Others may disagree, but the one and half minutes devoted to the sex sounds of Fuck Me (Interlude) adds nothing, while later the extremely closely miked sounds of Big receiving a blowjob - especially when placed at the end of a song called Respect - will make your skin crawl.

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