Source: Rolling Stone / Getty
Music by The Notorious BIG and Slick Rick is among those on this year's shortlist for the National Register.
On Tuesday (April 16), the National Recording Registry has announced its list of inductees for 2024, and it includes music from The Notorious BIG and Slick Rick. The registry, run by the Library of Congress, selected the late rapper's debut album Ready to die from 1994 to be among the year's top 25 inductees along with Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh's 1985 classic hit “La-Di-Da-Di.”
“The Library of Congress is proud to preserve the sounds of American history and our diverse culture through the National Recording Registry,” said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden in a statement announcing the news. “We've selected sonic treasures worth preserving with our partners this year, including a wide range of music from the last 100 years, as well as comedy. We were delighted to receive a record number of public nominations and welcome public input on what to keep next.” This year's list now brings the total number of entries on the register to 650.
The inclusion of Ready to die speaks to the importance of The Notorious BIG's impact not only on Hip-Hop but on American music culture as a whole, with his gritty and powerful lyricism backed by timeless production that captures life through the eyes of the Bedford Stuyvesant native Brooklyn. First released as a B-side featuring Slick Rick billed as MC Ricky D, “La-Di-Da-Di” is one of Hip-Hop's most influential songs – according in the Library of Congress, has been referenced in more than 1,000 other songs and recordings.
Other songs and albums that were on this year's list include Bobby McFerrin's “Don't Worry, Be Happy,” Bill Withers' “Aint No Sunshine,” and Blondie. Parallel lines album with Green Day's Dookie and ABBA's album Arrival album. The Library of Congress said it received 2,889 nominations from the general public for this year's list, a record for the institution. Nominations for the 2025 list can be submitted by October 1 through Website.
