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Articles by Phil Smith

‘Angel Dust’: Behind Faith No More’s Mind-Bending Alt-Metal Classic
In Depth

‘Angel Dust’: Behind Faith No More’s Mind-Bending Alt-Metal Classic

Shaped by a rising Mike Patton, Faith No More’s ‘Angel Dust’ album was an ambitious change in direction from a radically contemporary group.

Hypnotize: The Story Behind The Notorious B.I.G.’s Mesmerising Song
In Depth

Hypnotize: The Story Behind The Notorious B.I.G.’s Mesmerising Song

Arguably The Notorious B.I.G.’s signature song, Hypnotize has become a byword for hip-hop and a definitive document of the bling era.

‘Life After Death’: Behind Notorious B.I.G.’s Posthumous Rap Masterpiece
In Depth

‘Life After Death’: Behind Notorious B.I.G.’s Posthumous Rap Masterpiece

Released just weeks after The Notorious B.I.G.’s fatal shooting, ‘Life After Death’ was a hip-hop epic that ensured Biggie’s immortality.

Why The Notorious B.I.G.’s Legacy Continues To Loom Over Hip-Hop
In Depth

Why The Notorious B.I.G.’s Legacy Continues To Loom Over Hip-Hop

A larger-than-life talent with a tragically early end, The Notorious B.I.G. helped to create the moneyed hip-hop world we know today.

Big Poppa: How The Notorious B.I.G. Became The Daddy Of NYC Hip-Hop
In Depth

Big Poppa: How The Notorious B.I.G. Became The Daddy Of NYC Hip-Hop

Stepping out as an unlikely hip-hop loverman, The Notorious B.I.G. ensured that Big Poppa would live in the memory as a certified classic.

‘Born Again’: How The Notorious B.I.G. Found Another Rebirth
In Depth

‘Born Again’: How The Notorious B.I.G. Found Another Rebirth

Posthumously compiled from Biggie’s vast trove of unreleased recordings, ‘Born Again’ brimmed with life from one of the world’s greatest MCs.

Harder Better Faster Stronger: Behind Daft Punk’s Indestructible Classic
In Depth

Harder Better Faster Stronger: Behind Daft Punk’s Indestructible Classic

Tying together the history of electronic music, Harder Better Faster Stronger supercharged Daft Punk’s futuristic vision.

Everything Is Borrowed: How The Streets Finally Got To Their Destination
In Depth

Everything Is Borrowed: How The Streets Finally Got To Their Destination

Dislocated from their garage roots, ‘Everything Is Borrowed’ broadened The Streets’ sonic palette and sounds even more relevant today.

Ready To Die: How The Notorious B.I.G. Gave His Life To Hip-Hop
In Depth

Ready To Die: How The Notorious B.I.G. Gave His Life To Hip-Hop

An evocative picture of life in 90s New York City, The Notorious B.I.G.’s debut album, ‘Ready To Die’, introduced a vital voice in hip-hop.

Juicy: Behind The Notorious B.I.G.’s First Taste Of Fame
In Depth

Juicy: Behind The Notorious B.I.G.’s First Taste Of Fame

A breakthrough song that established Biggie Smalls as the greatest of all time, Juicy reveals why the MC was ripe for world domination.

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