Historical Figure
The Notorious B.I.G.
d. 1997
American rapper (1972–1997)
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Biography
Christopher George Latore Wallace, better known by his stage names the Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie Smalls, was an American rapper and songwriter. Rooted in the East Coast hip-hop 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 semi-autobiographical, telling of hardship and criminality but also of debauchery and celebration.
In Their Own Words (1)
Timeline
The story of The Notorious B.I.G., told in moments.
Born Christopher George Latore Wallace in Brooklyn, New York. Only child of a Jamaican preschool teacher. He grows up in a one-bedroom apartment on St. James Place in Clinton Hill. He starts dealing crack at 12.
A demo tape reaches Mister Cee, DJ for Big Daddy Kane. It gets to The Source magazine, which names Wallace the "unsigned hype" in its March 1992 column. Sean "Puffy" Combs signs him to Bad Boy Records. He's 19.
Releases Ready to Die. It debuts at number 15 on the Billboard 200 and goes quadruple platinum. "Juicy" turns his childhood poverty into a hook: "It was all a dream. I used to read Word Up! magazine." He's 22 and the biggest rapper on the East Coast.
His rival Tupac Shakur is shot in Las Vegas and dies six days later. The East Coast-West Coast feud has consumed hip-hop for two years. Biggie denies involvement. Six months later, he travels to Los Angeles to promote his second album.
Shot four times in a drive-by at a red light in Los Angeles after leaving a Soul Train Music Awards party. He's 24. The shooter is never caught. His second album, Life After Death, releases 16 days later. It debuts at number one and sells 10 million copies.
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