Christopher George Latore Wallace, better known by his stage names the Notorious B.I.G., Biggie Smalls, and Biggie, was an American rapper whose legacy continues to resonate in hip-hop culture.
The Early Years
Was it destiny or just a series of unfortunate events that led Christopher Wallace to become one of the greatest rappers of all time?
Wallace was born on May 21, 1972, in Brooklyn, New York. His parents were Jamaican immigrants, and his father left when he was three years old. Growing up in Clinton Hill, Wallace excelled in English but became involved with drug dealing at a young age. He dropped out of school at 16 due to growing involvement with the crack epidemic.
Before his rap career began, Wallace produced a demo tape called Microphone Murderer in 1991, which caught the attention of local disc jockey Mister Cee. That year, he started gaining exposure after Sean ‘Puffy’ Combs met him through the ‘Unsigned Hype’ section. Combs arranged for Wallace to rhyme on Mary J. Blige’s hit song ‘Real Love.’ In 1992, Wallace was pregnant with his first child and signed to Uptown Records by Combs.
Wallace recorded a solo track, ‘Party and Bullshit,’ for the soundtrack of Who’s the Man? Development on his first album began in late 1992 but faced setbacks when Combs was fired from Uptown Records. After being fired, Combs took Wallace with him to start Bad Boy Records, and Wallace adopted the new moniker Notorious B.I.G., citing the acronym ‘B.I.G.’ for ‘Business Instead of Game.’
The Rise to Fame
How did Ready to Die become a game-changer in the world of hip-hop?
In July 1994, Wallace appeared on a remix of Craig Mack’s ‘Flava in Ya Ear,’ which reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. On August 4, 1994, Wallace married Faith Evans. He released his debut album Ready to Die on September 13, 1994. The album was inspired by Snoop Dogg’s style and sought to create a similar East Coast influence.
Ready to Die reached No. 13 on the Billboard 200 chart and certified four times platinum. It produced hit singles ‘Juicy,’ ‘Big Poppa,’ and ‘One More Chance.’ Wallace formed Junior M.A.F.I.A., which included childhood friends Lil’ Kim and Lil’ Cease, and released their debut studio album, achieving gold certification.
Wallace’s success brought him into the East Coast-West Coast hip-hop rivalry with Tupac Shakur. Despite his involvement in the feud, Wallace became a household name, winning several awards at The Source Awards and Billboard Awards for his debut album Ready to Die.
The Tragic End
How did the events of March 9, 1997, change not just Biggie’s life but also the landscape of hip-hop?
On March 8, 1997, Wallace attended an after-party at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. Two trucks were trailed by a Chevrolet Blazer carrying security director Paul Offord. A black Chevrolet Impala pulled up to a stopped Suburban, and its driver fired four bullets at the vehicle. The victim was struck but only died from the final shot, which damaged his internal organs before coming to rest in his shoulder.
Wallace’s funeral had over 350 mourners, including several notable figures. His second studio album, Life After Death, was released 16 days after his death and became a huge success, achieving four-time platinum certification and spawning two No. 1 singles, making him the first artist to achieve this feat posthumously.
Wallace’s family disputed claims that he was involved in Tupac Shakur’s murder, providing documents that showed Wallace was not present at the time of the incident. Despite these claims, Wallace remains a symbol of hip-hop’s golden era and continues to influence new generations of rappers.
The Legacy
How does Biggie Smalls continue to impact the world of music today?
Wallace’s legacy lives on through his music, which has been extensively sampled by artists across genres. Tributes to him feature prominently in hip-hop culture, including at MTV Video Music Awards and VH1 Hip Hop Honors. He had begun promoting a clothing line before his death, which was relaunched after his passing with proceeds benefiting charitable organizations.
A mural depicting Wallace can be found on Fulton Street, and the corner of Fulton Street and St. James Place was renamed in his honor in 2019. His influence is evident in films like ‘Notorious’ (2009), which explores his life before fame and features rare access granted by the Wallace estate.
Christopher George Latore Wallace’s impact on hip-hop is undeniable. He was more than just a rapper; he was a cultural icon, a storyteller, and a symbol of resilience. His legacy continues to inspire new generations of artists and fans alike.
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This page is based on the article The Notorious B.I.G. published in Wikipedia (retrieved on February 22, 2025) and was automatically summarized using artificial intelligence.
