‘Born Again’ Disappointing Eulogy To Rapper

Sun., Jan. 16, 2000

Tom Moon The Philadelphia Inqui

Notorious B.I.G.

“Born Again” Bad Boy/Arista *-1/2

Behold a new kind of gangsta crime: The latest product from Sean “Puffy” Combs’ Bad Boy operation promises more rarities from the mind of the surprisingly prolific late rapper Chris Wallace, alias the Notorious B.I.G. What it actually delivers: a collection of studio droppings and leftovers, assorted uninteresting hip-hop moments polished up with new production and weepy we-miss-you sentiments.

The confused and brazenly cash-minded “Born Again” amounts to an all-star eulogy, with the eulogized popping up to show folks how it’s done every now and then. Starting with unfinished tracks, discarded bits of salacious fantasy, and fully produced pieces that never saw the light, Combs gathers a variety of big names to flesh out the tidbits with their own Biggie-style raps. Some of the musical touches, such as the menacing horror-film soundtrack of “Dangerous MCs,” are interesting, but when it comes to the rapping, the results are as disastrous as they could be.

Not only do many of these folks treat their cameos as coming-attractions previews, but their most inspired moments seem desperately dim when compared with the casual and cutting spontaneity of the late star, who is nowhere near his best here.

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