The Notorious B.I.G.’s influential debut was compiled of unforgettable moments, but perhaps the important was Ready To Die’s epic focal point, “The What.”

Funk Flex and Mister Cee remember Notorious B.I.G.’s Ready To Die, 20 years later. Hit the jump for more!

Mister Cee, the man responsible for bringing in B.I.G and Puff had this to say, “Method Man was the only rapper on Ready To Die.” That says a lot! Mister Cee, who also served as the associate executive producer for Ready To Die mentioned, “It’s perfect that it was Method Man [though], it stands out because their flow back and forth was incredible, especially that second verse.”

Although, “The What” wasn’t released as a single, it was quickly named a hip-hop classic! Both Bad Boy and Wu-Tang were rising to all-time heights in the game.

Not long after Ready To Die hit stores, B.I.G. was christened as the new crown holder of hip-hop. There was no doubt that he was king, and The Source ‘s July 1995 issue would continue to embrace that idea. “King of New York Takes Over,” read the classic cover’s tag line, with Big standing front and center of the New York City skyline. The moment would be epic for Biggie and Bad Boy, but all this success would eventually spark a beef with emcees on their home turf.

Funk Flex explained:

“He had the crown and problems began for him when The Source put his as King of New York on the cover.” He added, “I remember the grumblings with the artists, which I was surprised at. I was surprised artists were getting tight.”

Tonight (September 19) at 9 p.m. EST, REVOLT will premiere the special Notorious B.I.G. tribute, Ready To Die 20: Still the Illest. Tune in to revist history in hip-hop! REVOLT tracked down many of the album’s key contributors (Puff, Mary J. Blige, Mister Cee), influencers (writer Cheo Hodari Coker, Funkmaster Flex) and more, to look back on an album that enlightened and remodeled a generation.

Check the video below:

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