The Notorious B.I.G.

Christopher George Latore Wallace (May 21, 1972 - March 9, 1997), better known by his stage names, The Notorious B.I.G., Biggie Smalls, or simply Biggie, was an American rapper, who grew up in Brooklyn, a borough of New York City. Wallace is considered by many music enthusiasts to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. Wallace became known for his distinctive laid-back lyrical delivery, offsetting the lyrics' often grim content. His music was often semi-autobiographical, telling of hardship and criminality, but also of debauchery and celebration. Both his death and the death of his friend/rival Tupac Shakur, who died in September 1996, are still unsolved. He was murdered by drive-by shooting in Los Angeles, California on March 9, 1997 at age 24.
The release of Wallace's first album Ready to Die in 1994 made him an East Coast hip hop icon. While recording his second album, Wallace was heavily involved in the East Coast/West Coast hip hop feud, through which record companies from both sides of the United States fostered a feud between New York-based and California-based artists.
Early life
Christopher George Latore Wallace was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He was the only child of Jamaican parents Voletta Wallace and Selwyn George Latore. He excelled academically and received multiple awards in school for English.
He began selling drugs at the age of 12. As a teenager, he began rhyming to entertain people on street corners and in neighborhood groups.
He nicknamed himself "Biggie Smalls" after a gangster character in the 1975 crime comedy movie Let's Do It Again. It also because of his height and weight. He had a crook in his eye.
Musical career
In 1991, he released a demo tape called Microphone Murderer. Sean Combs, a rapper and producer, heard Biggie's early songs. After Combs was fired from Uptown Records in 1993, he decided to sign Biggie to his record label, Bad Boy Records. In April 1993, his solo track, "Party and Bullshit", appeared on the soundtrack to the 1993 comedy movie Who's the Man?.
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.
He rapped on Michael Jackson's 1995 single "This Time Around".
A few weeks after Wallace's death, his second album, Life After Death, was released on March 25, 1997. It quickly rose to number one on the US album charts. The album featured 3 singles: "Hypnotize", "Mo Money Mo Problems", and "Sky's the Limit." Wallace became the first artist to have two number-one hits after death ("Hypnotize" and "Mo Money Mo Problems"). Life After Death was nominated for 3 Grammy Awards in 1998.
His posthumous albums, Born Again (1999) and Duets (2005), became number one hits.
Personal life
He had two children: C. J. (born 1996) and T'yanna (born 1993). He was married to R&B singer Faith Evans from 1994 until 1997.
Killing
On March 7, 1997, Wallace attended the Soul Train Music Awards where he presented an award to singer Toni Braxton. On March 8, he attended the after party for the Soul Train Music Awards at Petersen Automotive Museum. It was hosted by Qwest Records and Vibe magazine.
On March 9, Wallace left the party to return to his hotel after the Los Angeles Fire Department closed the party early because of overcrowding.
Wallace was driving a GMC Suburban. A man in a 1994-96 Chevy Impala SS stopped on side of Wallace's SUV and fired shots at the Suburban. Four bullets hit Wallace's chest. His murder is still unsolved.
Discography
Studio albums
The Notorious B.I.G. released one studio album in his lifetime and three after his death:
Singles
(*) albums and songs were released posthumously (after death).
Media
Filmography
The Show (1995) as himself
Rhyme & Reason (1997 documentary) as himself
Biggie & Tupac (2002 documentary) archive footage
Tupac Resurrection (2004 documentary) archive footage
Notorious B.I.G. Bigger Than Life (2007 documentary) archive footage
Notorious (2009) archive footage
All Eyez on Me (2017) archive footage
Quincy (2018 documentary) archive footage
Biggie: The Life of Notorious B.I.G. (2017 documentary) archive footage
Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell (2021 documentary) archive footage
Television appearances
New York Undercover (1995) as himself
Martin (1995) as himself
Who Shot Biggie & Tupac? (2017) archive footage
Unsolved'' (2018), played by Wavy Jones
Awards and nominations
References
Other websites
Notorious B.I.G at atlanticrecords.com
1972 births
1997 deaths
20th-century American rappers
Rappers from New York (state)
Gangsta rappers
Criminals from New York City
American drug dealers
Murdered musicians
Murders by firearm in California
Musicians from Brooklyn
People murdered in California
Singers from New York City
Unsolved murders in the United States