His first album "Ready to Die" was released on September 13, 1994. It debuted at number 13 on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified platinum. The album featured 3 singles "Juicy", "Big Poppa", and "One More Chance". That same year, he was named "Best New Artist," "Best Live Performer" and "Lyricist of the Year" by the Source. He won a Billboard Music Award for Rap Artist of the Year in 1995.
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