Vinyl pressings
by Notorious B.I.G. · 1997
Life After Death was first pressed on vinyl in 1997. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
3 pressings came out in 1997, the album's first year, in 3 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
78612 73011-1-SA 1-1 AA•BAJRun-out area side A [hand-etched] Variant 1
78612 73011-1-SB 1-1 1 AA•BAJRun-out area side B [hand-etched] Variant 1
78612 73011•1•SC 1-2 AA BAJRun-out area side C [hand-etched] Variant 1
78612 73011•1•SD—1 1-1 AA•BAJRun-out area side D [hand-etched] Variant 1
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Europe | Puff Daddy Records 78612-73011-1 / Arista 78612-73011-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1997 | UK | Puff Daddy Records 78612 73011 1 / Arista 78612 73011 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1997 | US | Bad Boy Entertainment 78612-73011-1First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | UK | Simply Vinyl S160009LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 2003 | US | Puff Daddy Records SE160009LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | UK & Europe | Bad Boy Entertainment 8122796070LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2014 | US | Bad Boy Entertainment R1 541302 / Rhino Records R1 541302LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2014 | US | Bad Boy Entertainment R1 541302LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2017 | UK & Europe | Bad Boy Entertainment 8122796070LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Europe | Bad Boy Entertainment R1 541302 / Bad Boy Entertainment 081227960704LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2022 | Europe | Bad Boy Entertainment 081227960704 / Bad Boy Entertainment R1 541302LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2022 | USA & Canada | Bad Boy Entertainment R1 541302 / 081227960704LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2022 | Europe | Bad Boy Entertainment 603497841837 / Rhino Records R1 676985Box Set, Deluxe Edition, LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | Box Set, Deluxe Edition, LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 2022 | US | Bad Boy Records R1 676985 / Rhino Entertainment Company R1 676985Box Set, Deluxe Edition, LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | Box Set, Deluxe Edition, LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 2022 | Europe | Bad Boy Entertainment RCV1 541302 / 603497841820LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Puff Daddy Records 78612-73011-1LP, Unofficial Release, Album · Unofficial | LP, Unofficial Release, Album · Unofficial |
| ? | UK | Puff Daddy Records 78612 73011 1LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| ? | UK | Not On Label NBPR01LP, Album, Promo, Unofficial Release, White Label · Unofficial, Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Unofficial Release, White Label · Unofficial, Promo |
18 vinyl pressings of Life After Death are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1997 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1997, in US, UK, Europe. One of them is Bad Boy Entertainment 78612-73011-1, released March 25, 1997.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 78612-73011-1, 78612 73011 1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 78612 73011-1-SA 1-1 AA•BAJ and 78612 73011-1-SB 1-1 1 AA•BAJ. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
