Transcript

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Your voucher and start shopping now. Only for new user. This show is brought to you by Distro Kid. Bring your music to the masses. The 500 the 500J been walking us down through that 2012 edition so it ain't nothing to you Hundreds more to go and in need of a friend the king of peaceful angelo Talking the 500 until the end Talking the 500 until the end with my man JL on the 500 Talking the 500 until the end.

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I'm all that and a D sack where the paper at but he's sticking you and taking all your money Give me the loot, give me the loot Give me the loot Give me the loot Give me the loot Give me the loot that is give.

B (3:17)

Me the loot it's by the Notorious B.I.G. from the 1994 record Ready to Die. I think we all Are we all are listening to number 134 out of 500 on the 500 with me, J Mo Scoodly Doo Josh Adam Myers. Thank you guys. Tuning in Only podcast going through Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Albums. All the way down to one. All the way down to 1. Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh. I'm at Skangfest this weekend. It looks like we moved my Baltimore show to February, thank God, because that means I'm going to England next week to go see Radiohead four times. Yeah, that's what happens when you don't have much of a career. You just can take off and do whatever the fuck you want. But you can catch me at Skankfest this weekend. And then Thanksgiving weekend I will be at the Punchline in Atlanta. Then the first weekend in December I will be in Charlotte. Then I will at the Duckworths. Then the next weekend I'm opening up for Jeff Arcurie in Phoenix for his Netflix taping. And then I think we're closing out the year at fucking Foxwoods. Is that what it is?

Summary

Podcast Summary: The 500 with Josh Adam Meyers

Episode 134 – The Notorious B.I.G. – Ready to Die – with Godfrey
Date: November 12, 2025
Host: Josh Adam Meyers
Guest: Godfrey

Overview

In this episode, comedian Josh Adam Meyers sits down with legendary comedian and hip-hop aficionado Godfrey to explore the impact, legacy, and lyrical brilliance of The Notorious B.I.G.’s seminal debut album Ready to Die. Rolling through Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 greatest albums, this conversation covers mid-90s hip hop, personal stories of musical discovery, the legacy of Biggie, the influence of producers like Puff Daddy (Diddy), and the cultural context that made Ready to Die one of the most important rap albums in history. With typical irreverence, deep musical knowledge, and plenty of humor, they debate the album's place in hip hop and share how it still resonates today.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Personal Connections & Hip Hop History

[12:10–18:40]

Godfrey’s Hip Hop Roots: Godfrey breaks down his deep history with hip hop, name-checking pioneers and declaring how foundational artists like Public Enemy, Grandmaster Flash, and Run DMC were to his musical identity.
Nostalgic Stories: Godfrey recounts seeing legendary acts live and tracing the evolution from early 80s rap to the dominance of the mid-90s, name-dropping everything from Beastie Boys to EPMD and Wu-Tang Clan.
“I came up on hip hop, like, from the...like, fuck, yeah. I came up on hip hop.” – Godfrey [12:34]

Notable Segue:

Discussion about genre obsession: Josh shares obsessing over bands like Iron Maiden, Guns N’ Roses, Wu-Tang, and how that shaped how he immerses in new music.
The role of the Beastie Boys in bringing hip hop to a broader (white) audience is explored, with highlights about Russell Simmons’ insight and the cross-pollination of punk and rap.
“They changed the game with the white dudes. Before the M&Ms, even before Everlast, there was the Beastie Boys.” – Godfrey [15:56]

2. The Genesis and Legacy of Ready to Die

[22:45–29:23]

Biggie’s Origin Story: Discussion of his Brooklyn roots, Jamaican heritage, and larger-than-life persona.
Godfrey describes being in on Ready to Die from the start thanks to his friend Cootie (who would go on to make Kanye’s documentary), and how “Unbelievable” was an immediate hit in his circle.
“Unbelievable...that song was like my shit.” – Godfrey [24:37]
Josh’s Late Appreciation: Josh confesses to only truly engaging with the entire album while prepping for the podcast, despite knowing the hits before—emphasizing the difference between “hearing” and “listening.”
- “It’s like in White Men Can’t Jump. It’s like you hear it, you’re not listening.” – Josh [10:46]

Producer Influence & Bad Boy

[33:38–35:44]

The duo debate whether Biggie’s legacy is “tainted” by association with Puff Daddy (Diddy) and Bad Boy’s controversies, ultimately agreeing that, while Puffy’s influence is complicated, Biggie’s talent transcends.
- “But you don’t take his, his, his talent is so powerful...I think it’s more sad his story.” – Godfrey [35:16]
- “Do you think Puffy had something to do [with Biggie’s death]?” – Josh [36:16]

3. Lyrical Analysis and Album Standouts

[43:40–49:09]

“Gimme the Loot” as a Mission Statement: Josh argues that the third track, “Gimme the Loot,” is the perfect encapsulation of Biggie’s talent—its couplets, storyline, and delivery.
Godfrey and Josh quote complex lyrics, breaking down Biggie’s unique jazz-like cadence and vivid storytelling:
- “Biggie is a swinger. He swings like a horn player over jazz...just spelling his name, but the flow. Vicious.” – Shock G via Godfrey [21:05]
- “I will put this song up against any Eminem song or Nas song or Wu-Tang song.” – Josh [45:15]
Other Favorites:
- Godfrey’s personal top tracks: “Unbelievable” (DJ Premier production) and “Kick in the Door.”
- “Can I show you? Kicking the door’s on...get in the ass quick, fast like Ramadan. It’s the rap phenomenon...” – Godfrey quoting Biggie [45:58-46:54]

On “Juicy” and Cultural Touchstones

[52:02–54:54]

Both discuss the inspirational tone of “Juicy,” Biggie’s shout-outs to black pop magazines like Word Up, and what it meant for representation.
- “It’s like this positive message that anybody can do anything. This is all the shit that said I wouldn’t amount to nothing...it was all a dream.” – Josh [52:12]

4. Cultural Commentary and Tangents

[54:54–63:32]

The conversation flows into television nostalgia, the meaning of black media, sitcoms like Different Strokes and The Cosby Show, and how those formed part of the same Black cultural renaissance that Biggie was a part of.
Discussion of Institutional Gatekeeping:
- The recurring theme of how black artists are kept out of mainstream recognition, leading to creation of separate media, awards, etc.

5. The Album’s Place in History

[66:54–69:39]

Ready to Die’s commercial and critical legacy: triple platinum, included on numerous lists (e.g., Apple’s 100 Best at #32, Rolling Stone’s Best of the ’90s at #8).
- “It's now triple platinum in '98...it’s probably over six times platinum [now].” – Josh [67:38]
Rankings Debate:
- The hosts discuss Rolling Stone’s and the Grammy’s problematic gatekeeping, Godfrey argues against ranking “top 5” but agrees the album is “one of the greatest.”
  - “That’s bullshit...I don’t like that top 5 shit. One of the greatest.” – Godfrey [68:13]
The intergenerational debate: new rap versus classic, and how every innovation builds on the last.
- “There’s no new without the old.” – Josh [69:39]

6. What Ifs: Biggie and Tupac Had Lived?

[70:27–71:57]

The hosts speculate on how Biggie’s career might have evolved, whether he and Tupac would have reconciled, commercialized, or faded.
- “I think the music goes amazing...They become legends, man.” – Godfrey [70:41]
- Both argue that much like James Dean or Kurt Cobain, Biggie’s early death crystallizes his legacy.

Notable Quotes & Moments

On Biggie’s Lyricism:
- “He is 10 times better as a storyteller than any MC out there. He is just phenomenal.” – Josh [04:40]
- “He swings like a horn player over jazz...Just spelling his name, but the flow, vicious.” – Shock G (quoted by Godfrey) [21:05]
- “That’s just...He’s just lyrically...just pop, the lyrical Buddha.” – Godfrey [49:09]
On Hip Hop’s Evolution & Commercialization:
- “Is what I think is at the precipice—it took hip hop from being hey, this is a subgenre of music...to now we can be multi-millionaires and be the biggest artist in the world.” – Josh [18:41]
On Revisiting Albums as an Adult:
- “I always respected him, knew he was one of the best. I arguably now think that Notorious B.I.G. in Ready to Die is...hands down, one of the greatest debut albums of all time.” – Josh [20:09]
On Puff Daddy’s Role:
- “Puffy was powerful at the time. I mean, if I was...we would have probably got with Puffy. Puffy saw talent...he’s made some dope ass music for real.” – Godfrey [34:35]
On Biggie’s Early Death:
- “Of course, of course—it’s the same thing with Nirvana...James Dean has three movies and we hold him up...Of course, it’s because they’re gone.” – Godfrey [74:01–74:24]

Top Tracks Discussed & Broken Down

"Gimme the Loot" [43:40–49:09]

"Unbelievable" (Godfrey's favorite, produced by DJ Premier) [45:21]

"Kicking the Door" [45:51]

"Juicy" (Dissected for its positive, historical, and autobiographical lyrics) [52:02]

The Album’s Production Team

Producers highlighted: Easy Mo Bee, DJ Premier, Chucky Thompson, and Diddy (though his direct musical footprint is smaller than often credited).
- “DJ Premier is my favorite, like hip hop DJ. Combs did produce Big Papa...really not as much as you’d think.” – [62:11–62:33]

Timestamps for Key Segments

[12:10] – Godfrey’s Hip Hop History
[22:45] – Biggie’s Background & Godfrey’s 1994
[29:35] – Influence of Puffy and Bad Boy Records
[43:40] – In-Depth Lyrical Praise: “Gimme the Loot”
[52:02] – “Juicy” and Black Cultural Media
[66:54] – Album Rankings, Legacy, and Sales Stats
[70:27] – Speculation: What If Biggie & Tupac Survived?
[76:45] – Godfrey’s Elevator Pitch for Ready to Die

Closing Thoughts / Final Recommendations

Ready to Die stands near the apex of hip hop and storytelling in music. Both comedians agree that its influence is still felt, and that its blend of lyrical brilliance and vivid, authentic storytelling makes it appeal even to non-hip hop fans.
- “Even if you don’t like hip hop, this shit is unbelievable, period. Listen to it. You will be into real lyrical shit, real artistry.” — Godfrey [76:45]
The duo reflect on how tragedy and myth have cemented Biggie’s and Tupac’s places in music history, while lamenting what could have been had they lived.

Links & Credits

Godfrey: Instagram: @godfreycomedian, Podcast: In Godfrey We Trust
Josh Adam Meyers: @joshadammeyers, the500podcast.com

For a faithful, funny, and insightful look at hip hop’s golden age—and the singular brilliance of the Notorious B.I.G.—this episode stands as a vibrant tribute to an immortal record.

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134 - The Notorious B.I.G. - Ready To Die - Godfrey