Misplaced Pages

Latest revision as of 21:56, 28 December 2024

The Notorious B.I.G.
Wallace in 1997
Born	Christopher George Latore Wallace (1972-05-21)May 21, 1972 Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.
Died	March 9, 1997(1997-03-09) (aged 24) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Cause of death	Drive-by homicide (gunshot wound)
Other names	Biggie Smalls Biggie Big Frank White Big Poppa MC CWest
Occupations	Rapper songwriter
Years active	1992–1997
Spouse	Faith Evans ​(m. 1994)​
Children	2, including C. J.
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Genres	East Coast hip-hop gangsta rap
Labels	Bad Boy Atlantic Arista Uptown
Musical artist
Signature

Christopher George Latore Wallace (May 21, 1972 – March 9, 1997), known by the stage names the Notorious B.I.G., Biggie Smalls, and Biggie, was an American rapper. Rooted in the New York rap scene and gangsta rap traditions, he is widely considered one of the greatest rappers of all time. Wallace became known for his distinctive, laidback lyrical delivery, offsetting his lyrics' often grim content. His music was usually semi-autobiographical, telling of hardship and criminality but also of debauchery and celebration.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York City, Wallace was the first artist to sign with Sean "Puffy" Combs's Bad Boy Records in 1993. That same year, he gained recognition for his guest appearances on other artists' singles. His debut studio album, Ready to Die (1994), received widespread critical acclaim and included signature tracks "Juicy" and "Big Poppa". This album made him the central figure in East Coast hip-hop, helping to restore New York's prominence at a time when the West Coast was dominating the genre. In 1995, Wallace was named Rapper of the Year at the Billboard Music Awards. That same year, Wallace and his protégé group, Junior M.A.F.I.A.—which included longtime friends like Lil' Kim—released their debut album, Conspiracy (1995).

While working on his second album in 1996, he became embroiled in the growing East Coast–West Coast hip-hop feud. After Tupac Shakur was murdered in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas in September 1996, rumors circulated suggesting that criminal elements connected to the Bad Boy camp might have been involved, given Wallace's public feud with Shakur. On March 9, 1997, six months after Shakur's death, Wallace was also killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles by an unknown assailant. Two weeks later, his second album, Life After Death (1997), was issued as a posthumous double album; it debuted atop the Billboard 200, yielded two Billboard Hot 100-number one singles: "Hypnotize" and "Mo Money Mo Problems" (featuring Puff Daddy and Mase), and received diamond certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

With two posthumous albums released, Wallace's certified U.S. sales exceed 28 million copies, including 21 million albums. Rolling Stone called him the "greatest rapper that ever lived" in 2012, and, in 2015, Billboard named him the greatest rapper of all time. The Source magazine named him the greatest rapper of all time in its 150th issue. In 2006, MTV ranked him at No. 3 on their list of The Greatest MCs of All Time, calling him possibly "the most skillful ever on the mic". In 2020, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Life and career

1972–1991: Early life

Christopher George Latore Wallace was born at the Cumberland Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, on May 21, 1972. Wallace was the only child of Jamaican immigrant parents; his mother, Voletta Wallace, was a preschool teacher, while his father, Selwyn George Latore, was a welder and politician. At the age of five, he was attending preschool at Quincy-Lexington Open Door Day Care Center, where he was already bigger than most of the other children. Three months before Wallace's third birthday, his father left the family, leaving his mother to raise him while working two jobs. Wallace grew up in Brooklyn's Clinton Hill, near the border of Bedford-Stuyvesant. As a child, Wallace spent most of his time in Fulton Avenue, where he was introduced to drug dealing, alcoholism, and gambling. Raised as a Jehovah's Witness, Wallace attended St. Peter Claver Church in Brooklyn, graduating from the college in 1982. He excelled in English at Queen of All Saints Middle School. He attended Westinghouse High School, a public school attended by several future celebrities, including Jay-Z and Busta Rhymes.

While attending Westinghouse High School, Wallace weighed 91 kilograms (201 lb), which earned him the nickname "Big". During this period, his interest in drug dealing intensified, being influenced by the crack epidemic of the 1980s and 1990s. A friend introduced him to buying and selling marijuana when he was around the age of twelve. Having grown up in a strict household, Wallace concealed the money he earned on the roof of his apartment. His mother had no idea about this; she only discovered it when he was twenty years old. Despite being an honor student, Wallace dropped out of school at the age of sixteen due to his growing interest in drug dealing. In 1989, he was arrested in Brooklyn on weapons charges and sentenced to five years of probation. The following year, he was arrested for violating that probation. A year later, Wallace was arrested in North Carolina for dealing crack cocaine and spent nine months in jail before making bail.

Early in his life, Wallace was influenced by Black artists like the Dramatics, Blue Magic, Teddy Pendergrass, Stevie Wonder, and Marvin Gaye. He was also well acquainted with the performances of Parliament-Funkadelic, Earth, Wind & Fire, Kool & the Gang, and Chic. During visits to Jamaica he was influenced by its prominent native genres, including jazz, reggae, soul, and mento. As Wallace entered adolescence, he started listening to artists like Run-DMC and LL Cool J. Wallace adopted with the stage name CWest and formed the Techniques with his two friends Michael Bynum and Hubert Sams. Wallace met Donald Harrison, a saxophonist from New Orleans, and the Techniques worked on their first songs together at Harrison's home studio. As the trio grew older, their interests shifted; Sams became focused on high school football, while Bynum lost interest in the music industry. Wallace adopted his second stage name, Biggie Smalls, from Calvin Lockhart's character in the 1975 film Let's Do It Again.

1991–1994: Early career and first child

After his release from jail, Wallace produced his first demo tape in 1991 called Microphone Murderer with a disc jockey named 50 Grand. Although Wallace reportedly had little ambition for the tape, local disc jockey Mister Cee, known for his work with Big Daddy Kane and the Juice Crew, discovered and promoted it. Mister Cee sent the tape to Matteo Capoluongo, an editor at The Source magazine, who featured the track in the "Unsigned Hype" section in March 1992, a chart dedicated to showcasing promising rappers. That year, Wallace started gaining exposure; after reading the "Unsigned Hype" section, Sean "Puffy" Combs arranged to meet him. Combs connected Wallace to rhyme on the remix of Mary J. Blige's hit "Real Love".

In 1992, Wallace's girlfriend, Jan Jackson, became pregnant, and he was signed to Uptown Records in March by Combs. Wallace's first chance to record a solo track for Uptown Records, rather than featuring on another artist's remix, came in 1993 when Combs was creating a song for the soundtrack of the hip-hop comedy Who's the Man?. The song was "Party and Bullshit", produced by the Brooklyn-based Easy Mo Bee. The song was heavily inspired by "When the Revolution Comes" by the Last Poets, which uses sarcasm, frustration, and humor to critique young Black people's lack of seriousness in the struggle for equality. In the track, vocalist Umar Bin Hassan delivers lines like "niggas will party and bullshit, and party and bullshit". Development on Wallace's first album began at Capoluongo's apartment in late 1992. Wallace appeared on Heavy D & the Boyz's 1992 album Blue Funk, on the track "A Buncha Niggas".

In July 1993—a month before Wallace's first child was born—Combs was fired from Uptown Records by his mentor Andre Harrell, resulting in the loss of access to the songs recorded at that time. Jan gave birth to T'yanna Dream Wallace on August 8, 1993. Wallace promised his daughter "everything she wanted," believing that if he had experienced the same support in his own childhood, he would have graduated at the top of his class. Soon after he was fired, Combs started his own record, Bad Boy Records, and took Wallace with him. Combs discovered that Wallace continued dealing drugs and insisted he stop. When Wallace found out the name Biggie Smalls was already taken, he adopted a new moniker, settling on the Notorious B.I.G. Wallace explained that the acronym "B.I.G." stood for "Business Instead of Game". Combs and Clive Davis, then CEO of Arista Records, reached an agreement in which Davis provided Combs with a $1.5 million advance and full creative control. Combs promptly used the money to repurchase the tracks recorded for Wallace's album from Harrell.

The "Real Love" remix single was followed by a remix of a Mary J. Blige song, "What's the 411?". Wallace's success continued, though to a lesser extent, with remixes of Neneh Cherry's "Buddy X" and reggae artist Super Cat's "Dolly My Baby" in 1993. In July 1994, Wallace appeared alongside LL Cool J and Busta Rhymes on a remix of Craig Mack's track "Flava in Ya Ear", which reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Flava in Ya Ear" reached No. 1 on the rap chart for three consecutive weeks.

1994: Ready to Die, marriage, and Junior M.A.F.I.A.

On August 4, 1994, Wallace married R&B singer Faith Evans, whom he first met in June of that year at a promotional photoshoot. Wallace and Mo Bee originally wanted "Machine Gun Funk" as the upcoming album's first single due to its "funky, upbeat" sound, but Combs preferred a "smoother" sound for the release. The upcoming album's first song to be released was the title track, "Ready to Die", followed by "Gimme the Loot", "Things Done Changed", "Machine Gun Funk", and "Warning". Five days after his marriage, Wallace had his first pop chart success as a solo artist with double A-side, "Juicy / Unbelievable", which reached No. 27 as the lead single to his debut album.

Recorded at the Hit Factory between 1993 and 1994, Wallace released his debut studio album, Ready to Die, on September 13, 1994. Inspired by Snoop Dogg's bold, violent, and darkly humorous hit records, Wallace sought to create a similar style with Ready to Die, infused with an East Coast influence. Wallace originally wanted to name the album The Teflon Don, drawing inspiration from John Gotti, who was then making headlines for his ability to avoid legal troubles. Combs disagreed, arguing that the title should make an impact in a way that would "represent for the masses". Wallace agreed to follow Combs' decision, and the two conceived the name Ready to Die.

Ready to Die reached No. 13 on the Billboard 200 chart, sold 500,000 copies in its first week, and certified four times platinum. The album shifted attention back to East Coast hip-hop at a time when West Coast hip-hop dominated U.S. charts. It received positive reviews upon release and has been widely praised in retrospect. In addition to "Juicy", the album produced two other hit singles: the platinum-selling "Big Poppa", which topped the U.S. rap chart and "One More Chance", which sold one million copies in 1995 (the year of its release). Busta Rhymes recalled seeing Wallace handing out copies of Ready to Die from his home, which the former saw as "his way of marketing himself". In 1994, Wallace formed the hip-hop group Junior M.A.F.I.A., which included many of his childhood friends, such as Lil' Kim and Lil' Cease. The name is a backronym for "Masters at Finding Intelligent Attitudes".

Around the time of the album's release, Wallace formed a friendship with fellow rapper Tupac Shakur in Los Angeles. Lil' Cease remembered the two as being very close, often traveling together when they were not working. He noted that Wallace frequently visited Shakur's home, and they spent time together whenever Shakur was in California or Washington, D.C. Yukmouth, an Oakland emcee, stated that Wallace's style was influenced by Shakur. Wallace also befriended basketball player Shaquille O'Neal. O'Neal said they were introduced during a listening session for "Gimme the Loot"; Wallace mentioned him in the lyrics and attracted O'Neal to his music. O'Neal requested a collaboration with Wallace, which resulted in the song "You Can't Stop the Reign". According to Combs, Wallace would not collaborate with "anybody he didn't really respect" and that Wallace paid O'Neal his respect by "shouting him out". In 2015, Daz Dillinger, a frequent collaborator with Shakur, said that he and Wallace were "cool", with Wallace traveling to meet him to smoke cannabis and record two songs.

1995: Conspiracy, collaboration with Michael Jackson, Junior M.A.F.I.A. success, and coastal feud

Junior M.A.F.I.A. began working on their debut studio album in 1994. On August 29, 1995, Conspiracy was released via Undeas Recordings. It achieved gold certification and sold over 500,000 copies. The first single, "Player's Anthem", features Wallace, Lil' Kim, and Lil' Cease, and was produced by Clark Kent. The third single, "Get Money", a battle-of-the-sexes track featuring Wallace and Lil' Kim, became their most popular song. "Player's Anthem" and "Get Money" also earned gold and platinum status, respectively. Wallace continued collaborating with R&B artists, working with groups like 112 on "Only You" and Total on "Can't You See", both of which reached the top 20 on the Hot 100. By the end of the year, Wallace had become the top-selling male solo artist and rapper on both the U.S. pop and R&B charts. In July 1995, Wallace appeared on the cover of The Source with the caption "The King of New York Takes Over," a nod to his alias Frank White, inspired by the character from the 1990 film King of New York. At The Source Awards in August 1995, he won Best New Artist, Lyricist of the Year, and Live Performer of the Year, while his debut album was named Album of the Year. He was also honored as Rap Artist of the Year at the Billboard Awards.

In 1995, Wallace became embroiled in the East Coast–West Coast hip-hop rivalry, which involved his now-former friend, Shakur. In an April 1995 interview with Vibe while serving time in Clinton Correctional Facility, Shakur accused Harrell, Combs, and Wallace of having prior knowledge of a robbery on November 30, 1994, during which he was shot five times and lost thousands of dollars worth of jewelry. They denied any involvement. Wallace stated, "I had nothing to do with that, it just happened to be a coincidence that he was in the studio. He couldn't really say who really had something to do with it at the time, so he just kind of leaned the blame on me". In 2012, Dexter Isaac, who was serving a life sentence for unrelated crimes, claimed responsibility for the attack on Shakur that night, stating that the robbery was orchestrated by entertainment executive and former drug trafficker James Rosemond. After his release from prison, Shakur signed with Death Row Records in October 1995. This made Bad Boy Records and Death Row business rivals, further escalating the conflict between Shakur and Wallace.

In October 1995, Wallace revealed that he still had not received any earnings from Ready to Die, despite the album having sold two million copies at the time. With each CD priced at $15 (equivalent to $31 in 2023), the album should have generated approximately $30 million ($56 million in 2023) in revenue. Amid the rivalry between Wallace and Shakur, many speculated that "Who Shot Ya?", released in late February 1995 as a secondary B-side to "Big Poppa", was intended to taunt Shakur. According to Lil' Cease, the song was not intended to be a comment on the shooting, stating, "He knew that song wasn't about him  he was around at that time". Lil' Cease stated that the song was an introduction for Mary J. Blige's second album, however, "the shit was too hard, so Big kept it and said, 'I'm gonna put it out'".

In June 1995, Wallace worked with pop singer Michael Jackson on the album HIStory Continues. Lil' Cease claimed that when Wallace met Michael Jackson, he was made to stay behind, with Wallace explaining that he didn’t "trust Michael with kids" due to the 1993 child sexual abuse allegations against Jackson. The engineer John Van Nest recalled that Wallace was excited to meet Jackson and was nearly brought to tears when it happened. Wallace began recording his second studio album in late 1995, working on it over the course of eighteen months in New York City, Trinidad, and Los Angeles. The recording process was disrupted by injuries, legal issues, and the publicized hip-hop feud between Wallace and Shakur.

1996: Accusations regarding Shakur's death and second child

In 1996, Wallace began an affair with Lil' Kim, during which she became pregnant but later decided to abort the child. Wallace also started a relationship with Charli Baltimore, a Philadelphia native who portrayed Evans in the "Get Money" music video. Although Wallace shared his plans to include her in a supergroup called the Commission, she was aware that she was not the only woman in his life. On March 23, 1996, Wallace was arrested outside a Manhattan nightclub for chasing and threatening two fans who were asking for autographs, smashing the windows of their taxi, and punching one of them. He pleaded guilty to second-degree harassment and was sentenced to 100 hours of community service. Later that year, he was arrested at his home in Teaneck, New Jersey, on drug and weapons possession charges.

At the Soul Train Music Awards in 1996, "One More Chance (Remix)" was nominated for Song of the Year and received the R&B/Soul or Rap Song of the Year award in the same year. In June 1996, Shakur released "Hit 'Em Up". A diss track directed towards Wallace and other East Coast rappers, Shakur claimed to have had an affair with Evans, who was estranged from Wallace at the time, and accused Wallace of copying his style and image. Described as "manic", "Hit 'Em Up" disses Wallace, Combs, and their associates, including Junior M.A.F.I.A., Evans, and Bad Boy Records. In 1996, Wallace collaborated with rising rapper Jay-Z on his debut album, Reasonable Doubt, recording a duet titled "Brooklyn's Finest". The track used humor to address speculation surrounding Wallace and Shakur: "If Faith has twins, she'll probably have two Pacs. Get it? Tu ... Pac's." According to Wallace, humor had always been his way of coping with hardship since elementary school, explaining, "I gotta make jokes about it I can't be the running around all serious".

I know so many niggas like him  so many rough, tough muthafuckas. When I heard he got shot, I was like, "He'll be out in the morning, smoking some weed, drinking Hennessy or whatever." You ain’t thinking he going to die.

On September 7, 1996, Shakur was shot four times in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas and died six days later. Because of Shakur's accusations in his records, Wallace, along with other New York rappers like Mobb Deep, Capone, and Noreaga, became suspects in his murder. In a 2002 Los Angeles Times series titled "Who Killed Tupac Shakur?", journalist Chuck Philips reported, based on police reports and multiple sources, that the shooting was carried out by the Southside Crips, a Compton gang, seeking revenge for a beating Shakur had allegedly inflicted earlier that day. The report also claimed that Wallace had financed the gun used in the shooting. The night Shakur died, Wallace called Evans in tears; Evans recalled that "he was in shock  and it's fair to say he was probably afraid". Wallace expressed regret over Shakur's death but declined to attend his funeral when asked by a friend. He explained his decision by saying, " made my life miserable  he told lies, fucked with my marriage, turned fans against me". The Los Angeles Times editor Mark Duvoisin stated that "Philips' story has withstood all challenges to its accuracy,  remains the definitive account of the Shakur slaying". Wallace's family denied the report, providing documents that claimed he was in New Jersey at the time of the incident. The New York Times called the documents inconclusive, stating:

The pages purport to be three computer printouts from Daddy's House, indicating that Wallace was in the studio recording a song called "Nasty Boy" on the night Shakur was shot. They indicate that Wallace "wrote half the session", was "in and out/sat around" and "laid down a ref", shorthand for a reference vocal, the equivalent of a first take. But nothing indicates when the documents were created. And Louis Alfred, the recording engineer listed on the sheets, said in an interview that he remembered recording the song with Wallace in a late-night session, not during the day. He could not recall the date of the session but said it was likely not the night Shakur was shot. "We would have heard about it", Mr. Alfred said.

Wayne Barrow, Wallace's co-manager at the time, stated that Wallace was recording the track "Nasty Girl" on the night Shakur was shot. Shortly after Shakur's death, Wallace met with Snoop Dogg, who recalled that Wallace played him the song "Somebody's Gotta Die", which mentioned Snoop Dogg. During their meeting, Wallace expressed that he never hated Shakur. During the recording of his second album, Life After Death, Wallace and Lil' Cease were arrested for public marijuana use, resulting in the repossession of their car. Wallace opted to rent a Chevrolet Lumina, despite Lil' Cease's concerns about its faulty brakes. The car ultimately crashed into a rail, breaking Wallace's left leg and fracturing Lil' Cease's jaw. Wallace spent months in the hospital, initially confined to a wheelchair, later relying on a cane (which he used until his death), and undergoing therapy. Despite his hospitalization, he continued working on the album, referencing the accident in "Long Kiss Goodnight" with the line, "Ya still tickle me, I used to be as strong as Ripple be / Til Lil' Cease crippled me".

On October 29, 1996, Evans gave birth to Wallace's son, Christopher "C.J." Wallace Jr. Around this time, Wallace began recording the songs for Life After Death. The following month, Junior M.A.F.I.A. member Lil' Kim released her debut album Hard Core. Lil' Kim described herself as Wallace's "biggest fan" and referred to herself as "his pride and joy". In a 2012 interview, Lil' Kim revealed that Wallace stopped her from recording a remix of Jodeci's single "Love U 4 Life" by locking her in a room. According to Kim, Wallace told her she was "not gonna go do no song with them", likely due to Jodeci's association with Shakur and Death Row Records. While working on Life After Death, Wallace began to lose weight, losing around 30 pounds (14 kg), according to his mother.

1997: Conclusion of development on Life After Death

I called this album Life After Death because when I was writing things like "Fuck the world, fuck my mom, and my girl," There was nothing but anger coming out about everything: about having to go out to sell crack, to hustle for a living. Nothing but anger. But now I can't do that anymore.

In January 1997, Wallace was ordered to pay $41,000 in damages following an incident involving a friend of a concert promoter who claimed Wallace and his entourage beat him following a dispute in May 1995. He faced criminal assault charges for the incident, which remains unresolved, but all robbery charges were dropped. Following the events, Wallace spoke of a desire to focus on his "peace of mind" and his family and friends.

The development of Life After Death concluded in January 1997 for a March 25 release. In February 1997, Wallace traveled to California to promote Life After Death. On the morning of February 15, Wallace began preparations for the day's work. He had arrived in Los Angeles two weeks before the Soul Train Music Awards to film the video for his album's lead single, "Hypnotize". The three-day shoot, with a budget of $700,000, was both a promotional effort and a statement of his return to the music scene. "Hypnotize" was officially released on March 4, 1997, debuting at the Billboard Hot 100 at number two, just behind Combs' "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down", and later reached number one.

After production of the video had ended, Wallace was to record his vocals for Combs' upcoming album, Hell Up in Harlem; following the former's death, the album was retitled No Way Out. He was scheduled to feature on the tracks "Victory" and "It's All About the Benjamins", but later canceled. However, Wallace's vocals were posthumously featured on the two songs.

Murder

On March 8, 1997, Wallace attended a Soul Train Awards after-party hosted by Vibe and Qwest Records at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California. Guests included Evans, Aaliyah and members of the Bloods and Crips gangs. With over 2,000 people overcrowding the venue, fire marshals shut it down at 12:35 a.m. on March 9. After taking a few photos, Wallace and his crew headed downstairs to the Chevrolet Suburbans they had rented from Budget Rent a Car. He traveled in the front passenger seat alongside associates Damion "D-Roc" Butler, Lil' Cease, and driver Gregory "G-Money" Young. Combs traveled in the other Suburban with three bodyguards. The two trucks were trailed by a Chevrolet Blazer carrying Bad Boy director of security Paul Offord.

Soon after Wallace's Suburban stopped at the red light, a black Chevrolet Impala pulled up to the right side of the car Wallace was in. The Impala's driver, described as an unidentified African-American man in a blue suit and bow tie, rolled down his window, drew a 9-millimetre (0.35 in) blue-steel pistol, and fired at Wallace's vehicle. Wallace was struck by four bullets. His entourage rushed him to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where an emergency thoracotomy was performed, but he was pronounced dead at 1:15 a.m. He was twenty-four years old. An autopsy report, released fifteen years after his death, revealed that only the final shot proved fatal. The bullet entered through his right hip, damaging his colon, liver, heart, and left lung before coming to rest in his left shoulder.

Wallace's funeral was held at the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel in Manhattan on March 18. There were more than 350 mourners at the funeral, including Lil' Cease, Queen Latifah, Flavor Flav, Mary J. Blige, Lil' Kim, Run-D.M.C., DJ Kool Herc, Busta Rhymes, Salt-N-Pepa, DJ Spinderella, Foxy Brown, and Sister Souljah. David Dinkins and Clive Davis also attended the funeral. After the funeral, his body was cremated at the Fresh Pond Crematory in Fresh Pond, Queens, and the ashes were given to his family.

Posthumous releases

Sixteen days after his death, Wallace's second studio album, Life After Death, was released on March 25, 1997. The album achieved four-time platinum certification and became the highest-selling release of the year, tying with MC Hammer's Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em as one of the best-selling rap albums at the time. Life After Death debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. It had briefly appeared earlier at No. 176 due to street-date violations. The follow-up single of "Hypnotize", "Mo Money Mo Problems", featuring Combs and Mase, became Wallace's biggest chart success, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making him the first artist to achieve two posthumous No. 1 singles. The third single, "Sky's the Limit", featuring the band 112, featured a Spike Jonze-directed video with children portraying Wallace and his contemporaries, including Combs, Lil' Kim, and Busta Rhymes. In December 1997, Spin named Wallace Artist of the Year, with "Hypnotize" as Single of the Year.

In mid-1997, Combs released his debut album, No Way Out, which featured Wallace on five tracks, including the single "Victory". The album's most second track, "I'll Be Missing You", featuring Combs, Evans, and 112, was dedicated to Wallace's memory. At the 1998 Grammy Awards, Life After Death and its first two singles—"Hypnotize" and "Mo Money Mo Problems"—received nominations in the rap category. Combs' No Way Out won Best Rap Album, while "I'll Be Missing You" won Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group, where Wallace’s "Mo Money Mo Problems" was also nominated. In December 1999, Bad Boy Records released Born Again, an album featuring previously unreleased material from Wallace, mixed with new guest appearances from artists he had not collaborated with during his lifetime, including Eminem and Missy Elliott. It spawned two singles: "Dead Wrong" and "Notorious B.I.G.", released on October 26, 1999, and December 11, 1999, respectively. "Notorious B.I.G." peaked at No. 82 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Wallace featured on Michael Jackson's album Invincible, providing lead vocals for the track "Unbreakable", which was released on October 30, 2001. Wallace's vocals appeared on Ashanti's "Foolish" in 2002, and the track "Runnin' (Dying to Live)" with Shakur in 2003. Duets: The Final Chapter, a remix album, was released on December 20, 2005, which spawned the singles "Nasty Girl" and "Spit Your Game". "Nasty Girl" features Combs, Nelly, Jagged Edge and Avery Storm, and "Spit Your Game" includes guest appearances from Krayzie Bone, Twista, and 8Ball & MJG. The album peaked at No. 3 on Billboard 200, while "Nasty Girl" peaked at No. 44 on the Hot 100. Combs and Voletta both stated Duets: The Final Chapter would be the last album primarily featuring new material. A compilation album, Greatest Hits, was released on March 6, 2007—three days before the tenth anniversary of Wallace's death. It included tracks like "Juicy" and "Big Poppa", but was criticized by AllMusic for not containing hits like "Mo Money Mo Problems" and "Going Back to Cali". The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. On May 19, 2017, The King & I, a duet album featuring Evans and Wallace, was released, showcasing mostly unreleased tracks. The album peaked at No. 65 on the Billboard 200.

Artistry

Vocals

Wallace had the vocal range of a baritone. He typically rapped in a deep tone that Rolling Stone described as a "thick, jaunty grumble", which became even deeper on Life After Death. Wallace was frequently joined by Combs, who contributed ad libs to his tracks. The Source's "Unsigned Hype" column described his style as "cool, nasal, and filtered, blessing his own material". AllMusic noted Wallace’s talent for layering multiple rhymes in rapid succession, while Time magazine highlighted his ability to deliver multi-syllabic rhymes smoothly. Scholar Adam Krims described his rhythmic style as "effusive". Wallace often used onomatopoeic sounds, like "uhhh" at the start of tracks such as "Hypnotize" and "Big Poppa".

Lateef of Latyrx described Wallace as having "intense and complex flows", while Onyx's Fredro Starr called him "a master of the flow". Bishop Lamont praised Wallace's ability to capture "all the hemispheres of the music". Wallace often employed single-line rhyme schemes to bring variety and depth to his flow. Big Daddy Kane noted that Wallace did not need an extensive vocabulary to impress; instead, he "just put his words together a slick way, and it worked well for him". Known for composing lyrics in his head rather than writing them down, Wallace occasionally deviated from his usual style. For example, he sang in a slow falsetto on "Playa Hater" and adapted to the rapid-fire rhyme flow of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony on "Notorious Thugs".

Musical style

Wallace's lyrics explored a range of themes, including mafioso narratives ("Niggas Bleed"), reflections on his drug-dealing past ("Ten Crack Commandments"), materialistic boasting ("Hypnotize"), humor ("Just Playing (Dreams)"), and romantic experiences ("Me & My Bitch"). In 2004, Rolling Stone praised him as "one of the few young male songwriters in any pop style writing credible love songs". In the book How to Rap, rapper Guerilla Black highlighted Wallace's ability to "glorify the upper echelon" while also making listeners "feel his struggle". According to The New York Times journalist Touré, Wallace's lyrics " autobiographical details about crime and violence with emotional honesty". Another writer for The New York Times, Michel Marriott, noted in 1997 that his lyrics were not entirely autobiographical, as he had a talent for exaggeration to improve his storytelling and sales appeal. Wallace described his debut album, Ready to Die, as "a big pie, with each slice indicating a different point in life involving bitches and niggaz  from the beginning to the end".

Rolling Stone described Ready to Die as a contrast of "bleak" street visions and being "full of high-spirited fun, bringing the pleasure principle back to hip-hop". AllMusic noted "a sense of doom" in some of his songs, while Jon Pareles of The New York Times described a thread of paranoia in others. Wallace himself stated that he felt "broke and depressed" while creating his debut album. The final track on Ready to Die, "Suicidal Thoughts", portrays a character contemplating and ultimately committing suicide. On his follow-up album, Life After Death, Wallace's lyrics delved even "deeper", as observed by Rolling Stone. Krims observed that the record alternates between upbeat, dance-oriented tracks and gritty "reality rap," reflecting a thematic shift toward a more "pimp" persona. XXL Mag noted that Wallace "revamped his image" between the two albums, evolving from a "mid-level hustler" on his debut to a "drug lord" on his sophomore effort. AllMusic credited Wallace's storytelling ability as a key factor in the success of Ready to Die.

Legacy

Widely regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time, AllMusic described Wallace as "the savior of East Coast hip-hop". The Source named him the greatest rapper of all time in its 150th issue in March 2002. MTV ranked him No. 3 on their 2006 list of The Greatest MCs of All Time, calling him potentially "the most skillful ever on the mic". In 2012, he was listed on The Source's Top 50 Lyrical Leaders. Rolling Stone hailed him as the "greatest rapper that ever lived", and in 2015, Billboard named Wallace the greatest rapper of all time.

Wallace's lyrics have been extensively sampled and quoted by artists across genres, including Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Eminem, Lil Wayne, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Ludacris, and Kanye West. Tributes to him have featured prominently in hip-hop culture, such as at the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards, where Combs and Snoop Dogg honored him with an orchestral performance of his songs "Juicy" and "Warning". At the 2005 VH1 Hip Hop Honors, a tribute to Wallace headlined the show. At the same show in 2016, Rich Homie Quan performed "Get Money" but faced criticism after forgetting the lyrics. Before he died, Wallace had begun promoting a clothing line, Brooklyn Mint, focused on plus-sized apparel. The brand became dormant after his death but was relaunched in 2004 by his managers, Mark Pitts and Wayne Barrow, with assistance from Jay-Z. Proceeds benefitted several charitable organizations, including Christopher Wallace Foundation and the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation.

The Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation hosts an annual black-tie charity event, "B.I.G. Night Out", to raise funds for children's educational resources. The acronym "B.I.G." is repurposed to stand for "Books Instead of Guns". In Brooklyn, Wallace's legacy is preserved through art and community efforts. A mural depicting Wallace can be found on Fulton Street, near his childhood neighborhood. In 2019, the corner of Fulton Street and St. James Place was renamed in his honor. Wallace's image and persona inspired elements of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's portrayal of Cornell "Cottonmouth" Stokes in the Netflix series Luke Cage. In August 2020, Wallace's son, C.J. Wallace, released a house remix of "Big Poppa". The 2021 Netflix documentary Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell explores Wallace's life before fame, and features "unprecedented access granted by the Wallace estate featuring rare access and insights". It was executive-produced by Voletta and Combs.

Biopic

Notorious is a 2009 biographical film depicting the life and career of Wallace, starring rapper Jamal Woolard in the lead role. Directed by George Tillman Jr. and distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures, the film was produced by his managers, Combs, Barrow, and Pitts, and his mother, Voletta. On January 16, 2009, the film's debut at the Grand 18 theater in Greensboro, North Carolina, was delayed after a shooting occurred in the parking lot before the screening. The film grossed $44.4 million worldwide with a $20 million budget, and received mixed reviews from critics.

In October 2007, open casting calls began for the role of Wallace, attracting actors, rappers, and aspiring performers. Beanie Sigel auditioned but was not selected, while Sean Kingston expressed interest in the role, though producers denied his involvement. Ultimately, Woolard was cast as Wallace, and Wallace's son, C. J., portrayed his father. To accompany the film, Bad Boy Records released a soundtrack album on January 13, 2009, featuring many of Wallace's prominent tracks such as "Hypnotize" and "Juicy".

Discography

Studio albums

• Ready to Die (1994)
• Life After Death (1997)

Posthumous albums

• Born Again (1999)
• Duets: The Final Chapter (2005)

Collaboration album

• Conspiracy (with Junior M.A.F.I.A.) (1995)

Posthumous collaboration album

• The King & I (with Faith Evans) (2017)

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)
• Unsolved (2018)

Awards and nominations

See also

• List of murdered hip-hop musicians

References

Notes

1. Indicates the year of ceremony. Each year is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.

Citations

1. Kelly, Guy (September 18, 2024). "Sean 'Diddy' Combs was an untouchable mogul. Now his world is crumbling". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on October 4, 2024. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
2. "Notorious B.I.G: in his own words, and those of his friends". MTV. March 7, 2007. Archived from the original on March 11, 2007. Retrieved March 11, 2007.
3. ^ "50 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. December 5, 2012. Archived from the original on April 22, 2019. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
4. Gale, Alex; Horowitz, Steven J. (November 12, 2015). "Greatest of All Time". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 13, 2015. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
5. ^ "MTV.com: The Greatest MCs Of All Time". MTV. 2006. Archived from the original on August 14, 2011. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
6. Wallace, McKenzie & Evans 2005, p. 43.
7. Coker 2003, p. 15.
8. Murray, Noel (March 1, 2021). "Review: 'Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell' reveals another side of the late Notorious B.I.G." Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
9. Coker 2003, pp. 14, 29.
10. Scott 2014, p. 193.
11. Hicks, Tony (March 9, 2017). "Mom of Notorious B.I.G. says she knows who killed her son". The Mercury News. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
12. Coker 2003, p. 14.
13. "He released a song with Michael Jackson?! Fascinating facts The Notorious B.I.G. on the anniversary of his passing". Yahoo! News. March 9, 2022. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
14. Coker 2003, p. 18.
15. Coker 2003, pp. 16, 26.
16. Coker 2003, p. 16.
17. Coker 2003, pp. 15–16.
18. Lang 2007, pp. 4–5.
19. Hoffman, Claire (April 28, 2016). "Prince's Life as a Jehovah's Witness: His Complicated and Ever-Evolving Faith". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
20. Coker 2003, p. 19.
21. "The Biggie walk". Time Out. January 12, 2009. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
22. ^ Coker 2003, p. 28.
23. Lang 2007, p. 5.
24. Sullivan, Randall (December 5, 2005). "The Unsolved Mystery of the Notorious B.I.G." Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 29, 2009. Retrieved October 7, 2006.
25. ^ Lang 2007, p. 7.
26. ^ Touré (December 18, 1994). "Pop music: Biggie Smalls, Rap's Man of the Moment". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 1, 2017. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
27. Lang 2007, p. 8.
28. Coker 2003, p. 40.
29. ^ Marriott, Michel (March 17, 1997). "The Short Life of a Rap Star, Shadowed by Many Troubles". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 7, 2019. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
30. Coker 2003, p. 46.
31. Coker 2003, p. 48.
32. Coker 2003, pp. 18, 49.
33. Coker 2003, p. 50.
34. Coker 2003, p. 51.
35. Coker 2003, p. 52.
36. ^ "Remembering the life and legacy of The Notorious B.I.G. on what would've been his 52nd birthday". New York Daily News. May 21, 2023. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
37. Brown, Preezy (June 15, 2022). "The Notorious B.I.G.'s Demo Tape Collaborator "DJ 50 Grand" Dead At 55". Vibe. Archived from the original on April 30, 2024. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
38. Coker 2003, p. 55.
39. "Unsigned Hype Revisited: The Notorious B.I.G. (March, 1992)". The Source. August 6, 2014. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
40. Coker 2003, p. 56.
41. "Biggie & P. Diddy's relationship: how did they meet & how many songs do they have together?". Capital Xtra. March 1, 2021. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
42. Coker 2003, p. 76.
43. Beeck, Ellie (July 26, 2024). "The Notorious B.I.G.'s 2 Kids: All About T'yanna and C.J. Wallace". People. Archived from the original on October 4, 2024. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
44. Coker 2003, p. 77.
45. ^ Hatchman, Jonathan (December 16, 2015). "The Notorious BIG – 10 of the best". The Guardian. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
46. Coker 2003, p. 80.
47. Coker 2003, pp. 81.
48. ^ Coker 2003, p. 89.
49. Coker 2003, p. 83.
50. Coker 2003, p. 84.
51. Lang 2007, p. 16.
52. Fernando, S.H. Jr. (June 1, 1995). "The Notorious B.I.G. Is Living Large". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on March 13, 2024. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
53. Gbogbo, Mawunyo; Winter, Velvet (September 25, 2024). "What's happening with Diddy? The past, present and future of Sean Combs". ABC News. Archived from the original on October 4, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
54. Scott 2014, p. 31.
55. Coker 2003, p. 103.
56. Renshaw, David (October 11, 2019). "Mary J. Blige confirms HERstory Vol.1 box set details". The Fader. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
57. Lang 2007, p. 15.
58. Estevez, Marjua (March 13, 2018). "Craig Mack And The Iconicity Of "Flava In Ya Ear (Remix)"". Vibe. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
59. ^ Coker 2003, p. 112.
60. "Singer Faith Evans and husband agree to rehab". Jet. Vol. 105, no. 8. February 23, 2004. p. 58. ISSN 0021-5996.
61. Coker 2003, p. 108.
62. Coker 2003, p. 99.
63. Coker 2003, pp. 97, 104.
64. Duncan, Andrea (March 9, 2006). "The Making of 'Ready To Die': Family Business". XXL Mag. Archived from the original on November 10, 2006. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
65. Nance 2019, p. 140.
66. "Inside the charts". Billboard. Vol. 119, no. 21. May 26, 2007. ISSN 0006-2510.
67. Herbert, David Gauvey (April 18, 2017). "The Notorious B.I.G. & 9/11: Radio Censorship, Illuminati Conspiracy Theories and Everything In Between". Billboard. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
68. Lang 2007, p. 29.
69. Coker 2003, p. 95.
70. Coker 2003, pp. 96–97.
71. Saponara, Michael (July 10, 2024). "The Notorious B.I.G.'s 'Ready to Die' Is Getting a 30th Anniversary Limited-Edition Reissue". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
72. Coker 2003, p. 114.
73. ^ Muhammad, Ismail (May 31, 2017). "Mo Money Mo Problems by Notorious B.I.G." PBS. Archived from the original on October 8, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
74. Coker 2003, p. 143.
75. Williams, Stereo (September 13, 2019). "Notorious B.I.G.'s 'Ready To Die' Changed the Course of Hip-Hop History 25 Years Ago". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
76. Tyrangiel, Josh; Light, Alan (November 2, 2006). "All-time 100 Best Albums?". Time. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
77. Rolling Stone (December 31, 2023). "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
78. "The 36 best hip-hop albums for a journey through rap history". GQ. May 22, 2020. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
79. Smith, Harrison (August 12, 2021). "Chucky Thompson: Producer who reshaped Nineties R&B and hip-hop". The Independent. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
80. "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. May 31, 2024. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
81. Daly, Rhian (September 10, 2019). "The Notorious B.I.G.'s 'Ready To Die' at 25: 9 surprising things about the era-defining album". NME. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
82. Luling, Todd Van (March 9, 2015). "5 Things You Didn't Know About The Notorious B.I.G." HuffPost. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
83. Abraham, Mya (July 11, 2023). "7 Rappers Directly Influenced By Lil' Kim: Cardi B, Nicki Minaj And More". Vibe. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
84. ^ Fitzgerald, Trent (August 29, 2023). "Junior M.A.F.I.A. Drop Their Debut Album Conspiracy". XXL Mag. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
85. Lowers, Erin (October 9, 2019). "The Regal Life of Queen Bee Lil' Kim". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
86. Westhoff, Ben (September 12, 2016). "How Tupac and Biggie Went from Friends to Deadly Rivals". Vice. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
87. ^ Mosley, Tonya (August 23, 2023). "As hip-hop turns 50, Biggie Smalls' legacy reminds us of what the genre has survived". NPR. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
88. Ziegbe, Mawuse (June 16, 2010). "Tupac And Biggie Probably Celebrated Birthdays Together, Lil' Cease Says". MTV. Archived from the original on April 21, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
89. Kyles, Yohance (January 19, 2015). "Yukmouth Talks Tupac's Impact On Hip Hop; Says Pac Influenced Biggie's Style". AllHipHop. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
90. Muhammad, Latifah (March 8, 2011). "Shaq Remembers Friendship With Notorious B.I.G." The Boombox. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
91. Harris, Christopher (April 25, 2015). "Daz Dillinger Details Recording With The Notorious B.I.G." HipHopDX. Archived from the original on April 25, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
92. "Gold & Platinum". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
93. Ro 2002, p. 67.
94. "Gold & Platinum". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
95. "Top 20 Singles". Jet. Vol. 90, no. 16. September 2, 1996. p. 64. ISSN 0021-5996.
96. "Rhythm section". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 18. May 6, 1995. p. 15. ISSN 0006-2510.
97. "Billboard Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 31. August 3, 1996. p. 106. ISSN 0006-2510.
98. Josephs, Brian (March 9, 2020). "The Notorious B.I.G.'s 25 Best Songs: Critic's Picks". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
99. ^ "The Notorious B.I.G." AllMusic. Archived from the original on July 6, 2023. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
100. ^ Higgins, Keenan (May 21, 2019). "Up In The Source: Looking Back at BIG's Covers of 'The Source Magazine'". The Source. Archived from the original on May 17, 2020. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
101. Vernon Coleman, C. (March 29, 2019). "A History of Rappers Calling Themselves the King of New York". XXL Mag. Archived from the original on June 6, 2020. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
102. Coker 2003, p. 158.
103. Thompson, Ahmir “Questlove” (August 10, 2023). "Questlove: The Day Hip-Hop Changed Forever". Time. Archived from the original on September 23, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
104. "Rap genius, or evil criminal?". BBC Radio. February 25, 2022. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
105. Anderson, Joel (December 11, 2019). "How Tupac's Death Affected Biggie". Slate. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
106. Perone 2012, p. 102.
107. Muhammad, Latifah (October 30, 2016). "Tupac Shakur's Handwritten Prison Letter Sells For More Than $172K At Auction". Vibe. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
108. Powell, Kevin (February 14, 2021). "Revisit Tupac's April 1995 Cover Story: "Ready to Live"". Vibe. Archived from the original on November 25, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
109. Landrum, Jonathan Jr. (October 12, 2023). "Inside the East vs. West rap rivalry that led to the murders of Tupac and Notorious B.I.G. in 1990s". AP News. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
110. Flowers, Garin (October 18, 2023). "Tupac Shakur murder trial: The key players inside the explosive East Coast-West Coast rap beef". Yahoo! Entertainment. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
111. "Convicted Killer Confesses to Shooting West Coast Rapper Tupac Shakur". The Baltimore Sun. July 13, 2012. Archived from the original on August 29, 2012. Retrieved August 21, 2012.
112. "Tupac Shakur". ABC Listen. September 13, 2018. Archived from the original on May 27, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
113. "Death Row-Bad Boy Feud". Los Angeles Times. September 7, 2002. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
114. Elibert, Mark (October 18, 2023). "2Pac's Brother Says He Was 'Considering' Signing to Bad Boy Records Before Joining Death Row". Complex. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
115. Coker 2003, p. 146.
116. Anderson, Joel (November 13, 2019). "The B-Side That Deepened Biggie and Tupac's Rift". Slate. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
117. Coker 2003, p. 150.
118. Coker 2003, p. 151.
119. Williams, Thomas Chatterton (July 20, 2018). "Can 48 Artists in 14 Rooms Capture Michael Jackson?". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 20, 2018. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
120. Ortiz, Edwin (October 1, 2013). "Lil Cease Says The Notorious B.I.G. Wouldn't Let Him Into Michael Jackson Recording Session". Complex. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
121. Vogel 2019, p. 313.
122. "The Making of Life After Death: Many Men". XXL Mag. March 9, 2006. Archived from the original on March 24, 2006. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
123. ^ Coker 2003, p. 174.
124. Josephs, Brian (November 11, 2016). "Lil' Kim Was Too Pregnant to Finish "Crush on You," Which Is Why It Features Lil' Cease". Spin. Archived from the original on May 20, 2024. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
125. Mahadevan, Tara (March 23, 2014). "This Day In Rap History: The Notorious B.I.G. Was Arrested for Assault, Criminal Mischief, and Possession of a Weapon". Complex. Archived from the original on September 22, 2023. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
126. Coker 2003, pp. 180–181.
127. Davis 2013, p. 405.
128. Whitaker 2014, p. 259.
129. Robinson 2024, p. 318.
130. Coker 2003, p. 183.
131. ^ Coker 2003, p. 186.
132. Coker 2003, p. 5.
133. Coker 2003, p. 191.
134. Sublette 2009, p. 193.
135. Sandy & Daniels 2010, p. 110.
136. ^ Coker 2003, p. 192.
137. Philips, Chuck (September 6, 2002). "Who Killed Tupac Shakur?". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 7, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
138. Philips, Chuck (September 7, 2002). "How Vegas police probe floundered in Tupac Shakur case". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 18, 2013. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
139. Tinsley 2022, p. 326.
140. Anderson, Joel (February 14, 2020). "Slow Burn Season 3, Episode 7: To Live and Die in L.A." Slate. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
141. Rolling Stone (January 12, 2006). "L.A. Times Responds to Biggie Story". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 18, 2024. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
142. Silverman, Stephen M. "B.I.G. Family Denies Tupac Murder Claim". People. Archived from the original on March 21, 2008. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
143. Leland, John (October 7, 2002). "New Theories Stir Speculation On Rap Deaths". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 2, 2013. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
144. "Hip-hop's grassy knoll". Tampa Bay Times. September 3, 2005. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
145. "Who Killed Tupac? 6 Suspects From The Biggest Conspiracy Theories". Capital Xtra. September 12, 2018. Archived from the original on April 24, 2024. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
146. Chang & Cook 2021, p. 158.
147. "New Music: Faith Evans & The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Snoop Dogg". Rap-Up. February 1, 2017. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
148. Nelson Jr., Keith (October 2, 2013). "Exclusive: Lil Cease Tells The Story Of How He Crippled The Notorious B.I.G." AllHipHop. Archived from the original on November 9, 2024. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
149. Ahmed, Insanul (June 6, 2011). "Injury Report: When Rappers Get Hurt From Accidents". Complex. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
150. ^ Harling, Danielle (February 9, 2015). "Lil Cease Says The Notorious B.I.G. Wrote A Portion Of "Life After Death" While Hospitalized". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on August 9, 2018. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
151. "Biggie had to use a cane for the last few months of his life". Capital XTRA. February 25, 2021. Archived from the original on November 9, 2024. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
152. Katz 2010, p. 364.
153. Schaller Jr. 2009, p. 44.
154. Coker 2003, p. 208.
155. "Lil' Kim's Hard Core was a defining moment for female sexual agency in hip-hop". Crack. Archived from the original on April 15, 2024. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
156. Markman, Rob (March 9, 2012). "Notorious B.I.G. Would Have Worked With Kanye West, Lil' Kim Says". MTV. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
157. "Notorious B.I.G.: Sean "Diddy" Combs, Li'l Kim and More Pay Tribute on 15th Anniversary of His Death". E!. March 9, 2012. Archived from the original on November 17, 2024. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
158. Markman, Rob (March 15, 2012). "Notorious B.I.G. 'Locked' Lil' Kim In A Room To Prevent Jodeci Collabo". MTV. Archived from the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
159. Coker 2003, p. 213.
160. Coker 2003, pp. 212–213.
161. "Notorious B.I.G. Loses Lawsuit". MTV News. January 27, 1997. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved December 23, 2006.
162. Marriott, Michel (March 17, 1997). "The Short Life of a Rap Star, Shadowed by Many Troubles". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 7, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2008.
163. Brown 2004, p. 122.
164. Coker 2003, p. 217.
165. "Today In Hip Hop History: 23 Years Ago Notorious B.I.G. Was Murdered". The Source. March 9, 2020. Archived from the original on November 9, 2024. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
166. Coker 2003, p. 226.
167. ^ Breihan, Tom (May 4, 2022). "The Number Ones: The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Hypnotize"". Stereogum. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
168. Coker 2003, pp. 230, 234.
169. Coker 2003, p. 234.
170. Coker 2003, p. 238.
171. Lichtblau, Eric; Philips, Chuck; Coker, Cheo Hodari (March 10, 1997). "Gangsta rap performer Notorious B.I.G. slain". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 9, 2024. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
172. Coker 2003, p. 239.
173. Charnas, Dan (September 27, 2018). "'We Changed Culture': An Oral History of Vibe Magazine". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 9, 2024. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
174. Sullivan, Randall (January 7, 2011). "The Unsolved Mystery of the Notorious B.I.G." Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 17, 2018. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
175. ^ Coker 2003, p. 241.
176. Ford, Dana (December 8, 2012). "Notorious B.I.G. autopsy released, 15 years after his death". CNN. Archived from the original on November 9, 2024. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
177. Sullivan, Randall (January 7, 2011). "The Unsolved Mystery of the Notorious B.I.G." Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 9, 2024. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
178. Niles, Billy (March 9, 2019). "All the Questions Still Lingering Since the Notorious B.I.G.'s Death". E! Online. Archived from the original on November 9, 2024. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
179. Coker 2003, p. 243.
180. Sullivan, Randall (January 7, 2011). "The Unsolved Mystery of the Notorious B.I.G." Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 9, 2024. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
181. Coker 2003, p. 244.
182. Ro 2002, p. 102.
183. Horowitz, Steven (December 6, 2012). "Notorious B.I.G. Autopsy Report Released". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
184. Cooper, Leonie (December 7, 2012). "Notorious BIG's autopsy report revealed". NME. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
185. ^ Tinsley 2022, p. 376.
186. "The Notorious B.I.G.: Life and legacy of a Brooklyn hero". New York Daily News. March 8, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
187. Coker 2003, p. 254.
188. Fisher, Ian (March 19, 1997). "On Rap Star's Final Ride, Homage Is Marred by a Scuffle". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 9, 2024. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
189. Italie, Leanne (August 29, 2018). "The days the music died: A look at funerals of the greats". The Detroit News. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
190. McClafferty, Torres & Mitchell 2000, p. 263.
191. Brown 2004, p. 139.
192. ^ "Biggie's body is carried through his Brooklyn home, passing thousands of fans in 1997". New York Daily News. March 19, 1997. Archived from the original on November 9, 2024. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
193. Madden, Sidney (March 25, 2023). "The Notorious B.I.G. Drops Life After Death Album". XXL Mag. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
194. Aderoju, Darlene (February 23, 2022). "Notorious B.I.G. Honored in Celebration of 50th Birthday With 25th-Anniversary 'Life After Death' Box Set". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
195. Pedersen, Erik (January 10, 2008). "Fans in touch with Radiohead's 'Rainbows'". The Hollywood Reporter. Associated Press. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
196. Zellner, Xander (June 27, 2018). "XXXTentacion, The Notorious B.I.G. & Other Artists Who Hit No. 1 on the Hot 100 Posthumously". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
197. "We'll Always Love Big Poppa: 5 Unforgettable Notorious B.I.G. Videos". Rap-Up. March 9, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
198. "The 100 Greatest Music Video Artists of All Time: Staff List". Billboard. August 27, 2020. Archived from the original on August 27, 2020. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
199. "B.I.G. Gets Props From Spin". Rolling Stone. December 2, 1997. Archived from the original on August 17, 2007. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
200. Brown, Preezy (July 1, 2017). "Bad Boy For Life: 20 Facts About Puff Daddy & The Family's 'No Way Out'". Vibe. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
201. Ramirez, Erika (November 6, 2020). "Biggie's Biggest: The Notorious B.I.G.'s Top 15 Billboard Hot 100 Hits". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
202. Brown, Preezy (April 18, 2024). "Damon Dash Claims Diddy And Biggie Smalls Copied Him And JAY-Z". Vibe. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
203. Aaron, Charles; Reeves, Mosi; Dukes, Will; Gross, Joe (March 9, 2022). "The 50 Best Notorious B.I.G. Songs". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
204. Lyons, Patrick (March 9, 2017). "Notorious B.I.G.'s Five Most Underrated Tracks". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
206. Abraham, Mya (November 12, 2024). "Sting Says Diddy Allegations And Arrest Don't 'Taint' 1983 Hit, 'Every Breath You Take'". Vibe. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
207. ^ "1998 Grammy Awards – Rap music winners". CNN. 1998. Archived from the original on August 23, 2000. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
208. Pearce, Sheldon (March 9, 2017). "Puff Daddy & the Family: No Way Out". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on March 9, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
209. Kaplan, Stephanie (November 11, 2024). "Sting Insists Sean 'Diddy' Combs' Scandal Doesn't 'Taint' The Police's Song the Rapper Sampled in His Grammy-Winning Track". OK!. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
210. Boardman, Madeline (March 9, 2016). "The Notorious BIG: Life in Photos". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on March 14, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
211. "Born Again". NME. September 12, 2005. Archived from the original on April 2, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
212. Greene, Jayson (March 9, 2017). "The Notorious B.I.G.: Born Again". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
213. "Dead Wrong (Featuring Eminem)". Apple Music (US). Retrieved November 13, 2024.
214. "Notorious B.I.G. (Featuring Lil' Kim & Puff Daddy)". Apple Music (MY). Retrieved November 13, 2024.
215. ^ Breihan, Tom (May 13, 2022). "The Number Ones: The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Mo Money Mo Problems" (Feat. Puff Daddy & Mase)". Stereogum. Archived from the original on February 24, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
216. "Unbreakable". Apple Music (IN). Retrieved November 13, 2024.
217. "Recalls Sampling The Notorious B.I.G. On "Unfoolish," Says "Puff Swore That Irv Took His Beat"". HipHopDX. March 7, 2014. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
218. Aaron, Charles; Reeves, Mosi; Dukes, Will; Gross, Joe (March 9, 2022). "The 50 Best Notorious B.I.G. Songs". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
219. Henderson, Eric (December 20, 2005). "Review: The Notorious B.I.G., Duets: The Final Chapter". Slant. Archived from the original on July 12, 2019. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
220. "Nasty Girl (Featuring P. Diddy, Nelly, Jagged Edge & Avery Storm)". Apple Music (PG). Retrieved November 13, 2024.
221. "Biography, Music & News". Billboard. March 24, 2007. Archived from the original on November 4, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
222. "The Notorious B.I.G.: Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. August 30, 1997. Archived from the original on October 20, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
223. "Notorious B.I.G.: an album too far?". The Independent. January 27, 2006. Archived from the original on April 10, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
224. ^ "Greatest Hits". Apple Music (US). March 6, 2007. Archived from the original on August 19, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
225. "Greatest Hits: The Notorious B.I.G." AllMusic. March 6, 2007. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
226. "Biggie Best-Of Bows at No. 1". Billboard. March 14, 2007. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
227. Gibsone, Harriet (February 3, 2017). "Faith Evans and Notorious BIG duet album due out in May". The Guardian. Archived from the original on May 20, 2019. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
228. "Faith Evans: Billboard 200". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 10, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
229. Gee, Andre (May 4, 2023). "Timbaland Just Added Fuel to Our Growing Rap Dystopia". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 16, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
230. Hellerbach, Miki (January 15, 2024). "Busta Rhymes, Pop Smoke, GloRilla & more: 16 rappers with the best deep voices". Revolt. Archived from the original on March 26, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
231. "Life After Death review". Rolling Stone. December 7, 1997. Archived from the original on February 20, 2007. Retrieved January 7, 2007.
232. ^ "Notorious B.I.G.: Biography". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on February 16, 2006. Retrieved December 26, 2006.
233. Findlay, Mitch (October 16, 2019). "Diddy Reminds The People That Notorious B.I.G Is The GOAT". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
234. "Biggie Smalls Unsigned Hype". The Source. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved December 28, 2012.
235. ^ "The Notorious B.I.G." AllMusic. Archived from the original on March 25, 2019. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
236. Tyrangiel, Josh; Light, Alan (November 2, 2006). "Is Ready to Die one of the All-TIME 100 Best Albums?". Time. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
237. ^ Krims 2000, p. 85.
238. "Hypnotize (Club Mix)". Apple Music (US). Retrieved November 13, 2024.
239. "Big Poppa". Apple Music (US). Retrieved November 13, 2024.
240. ^ Edwards 2012, p. 100.
241. Edwards 2012, p. 112.
242. Edwards 2012, p. x.
243. Edwards 2012, p. 53.
244. "Big Daddy Kane: Rap Like No Equal". HipHopDX. September 20, 2010. Archived from the original on June 17, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
245. Edwards 2012, p. 144.
246. Smith, Da’Shan (May 21, 2018). "A personal love for The Notorious B.I.G.'s "My Downfall"". Revolt. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
247. Coker, Cheo Hodari (March 26, 1997). "A Memorable 'Life' on Its Own Merits". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
248. Berry, Peter A. (March 25, 2022). "Remembering The Notorious B.I.G.'s flawless posthumous album 'Life After Death'". Revolt. Archived from the original on March 26, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
249. Cauley, Kashana (March 24, 2017). "Why Notorious B.I.G.'s 'Life After Death' Resonates More Now Than Ever". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
250. ^ "Notorious B.I.G.: Still the Illest". MTV. Archived from the original on December 13, 2006. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
251. Edwards 2012, p. 14.
252. Edwards 2012, p. 44.
253. Brown 2004, p. 66.
254. ^ Pareles, Jon (March 10, 1997). "Rapping, Living and Dying a Gangsta Life". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 10, 2018. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
255. Coker 2003, p. 104.
256. "The History of Cocaine Rap: All White". XXL Mag. November 6, 2006. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
257. Osorio, Kim (March 2002). "Biggie Smalls Is The Illest". The Source.
258. "Music Profiles – The Notorious B.I.G." BBC News. Archived from the original on June 11, 2007. Retrieved January 27, 2007.
259. Blue, Johny (July 2012). "Top 50 Lyrical Leaders: 3. The Notorious B.I.G.". The Source.
260. "The 10 Greatest Rappers of All Time". Billboard. November 12, 2015. Archived from the original on March 19, 2016. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
261. Ex, Kris (July 9, 2013). "Jay-Z's 'Magna Carta' Is A Fait Accompli". NPR. Archived from the original on August 8, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
262. "'Realest N****s' The Notorious B.I.G. and 50 Cent (2003)". Rolling Stone. March 10, 2022. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
263. Berry, Peter (July 22, 2020). "Here Are Eminem's 20 Best Guest Verses". XXL Mag. Archived from the original on April 2, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
264. ^ Diep, Eric (February 21, 2014). "Songs That Sample The Notorious B.I.G." XXL Mag. Archived from the original on December 11, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
265. Cohen, Jonathan (August 28, 2005). "Green Day Dominates MTV Video Music Awards". Billboard. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
266. Carpentier, Megan (July 18, 2024). "Snoop Dogg & Gwen Stefani Looked So Good Together on the Red Carpet 20 Years Ago". NBC News. Archived from the original on October 8, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
267. "VH1 to give Notorious B.I.G. Hip Hop Honors". Today. Associated Press. June 29, 2005. Archived from the original on August 5, 2020. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
268. Collins, Shanna (July 15, 2016). "Rich Homie Quan Blames Teleprompter For Biggie Faux Pas On 'Hip Hop Honors'". Vibe. Archived from the original on August 13, 2022. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
269. Pearce, Sheldon (July 12, 2016). "Rich Homie Quan Apologizes for Notorious B.I.G. 'Hip Hop Honors' Flub". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on February 24, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
270. ^ Germain, Tabie (March 9, 2023). "Biggie's Legacy Lives On". BET. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
271. ^ Watkins, Greg (February 8, 2005). "B.I.G.'s Brooklyn Mint Clothing Line Debuts, Jay-Z Gets Down". AllHipHop. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
272. "Image 17 from Life & TImes Of Biggie". BET. August 8, 1993. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
273. Williams, Damon C. (May 31, 2004). "Mothers Tend Legacies of Fallen Rappers". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
274. Brown, Preezy (August 27, 2022). "The Notorious B.I.G.'s Mural Defaced In Brooklyn". Vibe. Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
275. Blais-Billie, Braudie (June 11, 2019). "Notorious B.I.G. Officially Gets His Own Brooklyn Street Name". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on January 23, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
276. Grebey, James (August 9, 2016). "Everything you need to know about Luke Cage". Business Insider. Archived from the original on June 18, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
277. Kreps, Daniel (August 12, 2020). "Notorious B.I.G.'s Son Drops 'Big Poppa' Dance Remix". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 5, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
278. Blanchet, Brenton (August 12, 2020). "Notorious B.I.G.'s Son Shares 'Big Poppa' House Remix". Spin. Archived from the original on September 27, 2020. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
279. Kreps, Daniel (February 15, 2021). "Notorious B.I.G.: See First Trailer for Estate-Approved Netflix Documentary". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
280. Kreps, Daniel (February 14, 2017). "Authorized Notorious B.I.G. Documentary 'One More Chance' in the Works". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 16, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
281. ^ Ezugwu, Emmanuel (February 12, 2009). "Become Notorious BIG in 10 easy steps!". The Guardian. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
282. Pulver, Andrew (November 10, 2011). "Miles Davis biopic to be directed by George Tillman Jr". The Guardian. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
283. Anderson, John (January 11, 2009). "Notorious". Variety. Archived from the original on June 22, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
284. Travers, Peter (January 15, 2009). "Notorious". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
285. "Shooting erupts at Notorious movie". Greensboro News & Record. January 16, 2009. Archived from the original on October 5, 2021. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
286. Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (April 17, 2023). "'Notorious' Actor Didn't Want Diddy Role Due To 'Too Much Heat'". HipHopDX. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
287. Ryzik, Melena (October 8, 2007). "Biggie Smalls". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 13, 2018. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
288. "Beanie Sigel Auditions for Role of Biggie Smalls in New Biopic". XXL Mag. October 3, 2007. Archived from the original on January 18, 2008. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
289. "Sean Kingston: Big, But Not B.I.G." Vibe. August 30, 2007. Archived from the original on November 5, 2007. Retrieved November 28, 2007.
290. Aftab, Kaleem (May 25, 2017). "CJ Wallace talks about his father Biggie Smalls, launching a music career and his new film Kicks". The Independent. Archived from the original on September 30, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
291. "Notorious (Music from and Inspired By the Original Motion Picture) by The Notorious B.I.G." Apple Music (US). Retrieved November 16, 2024.
292. "18th Annual ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards presented in Los Angeles". ASCAP. June 27, 2005. Archived from the original on July 31, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
293. "Notorious B.I.G. Honored by ASCAP on 20th Anniversary Year of His Death". Variety. June 25, 2017. Archived from the original on June 3, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
294. "2020 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards". ASCAP. July 15, 2020. Archived from the original on July 15, 2020. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
295. Ganz, Jami (March 9, 2017). "Diddy Pays Tribute to the Notorious B.I.G. 20 Years After His Death". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
296. Bristout, Ralph (September 13, 2024). "The Notorious B.I.G.'s 'Ready to Die' at 30: All 17 Songs Ranked". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
297. "Winners Database". Billboard. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
298. Grove, Rashad D. (February 5, 2019). "10 Iconic Hip-Hop Artists Who've Never Won A Grammy". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 28, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
299. Walker, Joe (May 24, 2022). "Diddy & Biggie Tried Ecstasy For First Time In 'Hypnotize' Video". HipHopDX. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
300. Eustice, Kyle (September 24, 2021). "Biggie 'Mo Money Mo Problems' Singer Kelly Price Found". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on May 28, 2024. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
301. Kenner, Rob (February 2, 2024). "The RZA Explains the Real Reason Ol' Dirty Bastard Bum-Rushed the Grammy Awards, and Why Wu-Tang Really Is For the Children". GQ. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
302. "Jamiroquai tops MTV video noms". Variety. July 23, 1997. Archived from the original on June 27, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
303. Elibert, Mark (August 26, 2019). "The 20 Best Hype Williams-Directed Music Videos". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 8, 2024. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
304. Lynch, Joe (November 7, 2020). "Here's What Happened at the 2020 Rock Hall Virtual Induction Ceremony". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
305. "Rap Song of the Year". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 24. June 15, 1996. ISSN 0006-2510.
306. "Soul Train Awards". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 11. March 14, 1996. p. 36. ISSN 0006-2510.
307. Denis, Kyle (November 23, 2023). "How Have Soul Train Album of the Year Winners Fared at the Grammys?". Billboard. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
308. "Soul Train Awards". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 7. February 14, 1998. p. 19. ISSN 0006-2510.
309. ^ Simmons, Nadirah (August 3, 2016). "Today In 1995: The 2nd Annual Source Awards Makes Hip Hop History". The Source. Archived from the original on April 7, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
310. Findlay, Mitch (August 3, 2019). "The 1995 Source Awards: One Of Hip-Hop's Wildest, Most Legendary Nights". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on September 9, 2024. Retrieved November 17, 2024.

Bibliography

• Brown, Jake (2004). Ready to Die: The Story of Biggie Smalls Notorious B.I.G. Colossus Books. ISBN 978-0-9749779-3-5.
• Chang, Jeff; Cook, Dave (2021). Can't Stop Won't Stop. St. Martin's Publishing Group. ISBN 978-1-250-19855-6.
• Coker, Cheo Hodari (2003). Unbelievable: The Life, Death, and Afterlife of the Notorious B.I.G. Three Rivers Press. ISBN 978-0-609-80835-1.
• Davis, Clive (2013). The Soundtrack of My Life. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1-4767-1480-6.
• Edwards, Paul (2012). How to Rap. Random House. ISBN 978-1-4481-3213-3.
• Katz, Hélèna (2010). Cold Cases: Famous Unsolved Mysteries, Crimes, and Disappearances in America. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-0-313-37693-1.
• Krims, Adam (2000). Rap Music and the Poetics of Identity. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-63447-2.
• Lang, Holly (2007). The Notorious B.I.G.: A Biography. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-1-567-20735-4.
• McClafferty, Karen A.; Torres, Carlos Alberto; Mitchell, Theodore R. (January 27, 2000). Challenges of Urban Education. State University of New York Press. ISBN 978-0-7914-9321-2.
• Nance, Kimberly A. (2019). Ethics of Witness in Global Testimonial Narratives: Responding to the Pain of Others. Lexington Books. ISBN 978-1-4985-9889-7.
• Perone, James E. (2012). The Album: A Guide to Pop Music's Most Provocative, Influential, and Important Creations. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-0-313-37907-9. OCLC 768800346.
• Ro, Ronin (2002). Bad Boy: The Influence of Sean "Puffy" Combs On the Music Industry. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-0-7434-3417-1.
• Robinson, Staci (2024). Tupac Shakur: The Authorized Biography. Crown Publishing Group. ISBN 978-1-5247-6105-9.
• Sandy, Candace; Daniels, Dawn Marie (2010). How Long Will They Mourn Me?. Random House. ISBN 978-0-307-75744-9.
• Schaller Jr., Robert C. (2009). Kanye West: A Biography. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-0-313-37461-6.
• Scott, Cathy (2014) . The Killing of Tupac Shakur. Huntington Press Inc. ISBN 978-1-935396-54-3.
• Sublette, Ned (2009). The Year Before the Flood. Chicago Review Press. ISBN 978-1-56976-323-0.
• Tinsley, Justin (2022). It Was All a Dream: Biggie and the World That Made Him. Abrams Books. ISBN 978-1-64700-104-9.
• Vogel, Joseph (2019). Man in the Music: The Creative Life and Work of Michael Jackson. Doubleday. ISBN 978-0-525-56658-8.
• Wallace, Voletta; McKenzie, Tremell; Evans, Faith (foreword) (2005). Biggie: Voletta Wallace Remembers Her Son, Christopher Wallace, aka Notorious B.I.G. Atria Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-7434-7020-9.
• Whitaker, Matthew C. (2014). Peace Be Still: Modern Black America from World War II to Barack Obama. University of Nebraska Press. ISBN 978-0-8032-4958-5.

External links

• The Notorious B.I.G. collected news and commentary at The New York Times
• The Notorious B.I.G. at IMDb
• FBI Records: The Vault – Christopher (Biggie Smalls) Wallace at vault.fbi.gov

• Biography
• Music
• United States

• The Notorious B.I.G.
• 1972 births
• 1997 deaths
• 1997 murders in the United States
• 20th-century American male musicians
• 20th-century American rappers
• African-American male rappers
• American drug traffickers
• American murder victims
• American rappers of Jamaican descent
• Arista Records artists
• Atlantic Records artists
• Bad Boy Records artists
• Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School alumni
• Deaths by firearm in California
• East Coast hip-hop musicians
• Faith Evans
• G-funk artists
• Gangsta rappers
• Murdered African-American people
• People from Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
• People from Teaneck, New Jersey
• People murdered in Los Angeles
• Rappers from Brooklyn
• Unsolved murders in the United States