>and I never got the feeling like he was dumbing it ALL the way
>down to do it

Exactly - Big was spittin even on his club bangers. The topic wouldn't be as hardcore, and the beat would be more mainstream, but he never simplified his flow just to make it more accessable. And people at the club would STILL (and still do today) recite entire Biggie verses along with the song.

I think Jay-Z managed to do that on a few of his biggest hits (Big Pimpin, H to the Izzo, Give it to Me, etc.) but on others his flow is definitely dumbed down. I don't think anyone else is anywhere close to Biggie in that category.

I also don't think Big gets enough credit for his stories. I mean if you break down the lyrics in Niggas Bleed or Somebodies Gotta Die the way he's able to progress the plot with foreshadowing and other characters is just crazy...