The Notorious B.I.G.
The Notorious B.I.G., also known by nicknames such as Biggie Small and Big Poppa, was a multiple award winning American rapper who gained fame when he released his 1994 debut album titled, Ready to Die, which featured famous singles such as, Things Done Changed, One More Chance, Big Poppa and Unbelievable. Biggie is widely considered as one of the most talented and influential rap artist who ever lived. Aside his successful solo career, Biggie was also known for forming and mentoring Junior M.A.F.I.A. – the the hip hop group that launched the career of Lil’ Kim.
The Notorious B.I.G. was born to Voletta Wallace and Selwyn George Latore in Brooklyn, New York on in 1972. He was the only child of his parents.
In 1993, Biggie and one of his girlfriends welcomed Biggie’s first child, a daughter named T’yanna. In 1994, Biggie and singer Faith Evans tied the knot. Biggie and Evans welcomed a son named Christopher Jordan Wallace on October 29, 1996. Christopher grew up to become a rapper and actor. The Notorious B.I.G. tragically died on 9th March, 1997 after being shot multiple times by an unknown gunman in Los Angeles. He was 24 years old.
Drawing of the late Notorious B.I.G. (Biggie Smalls) by Gringolivier. Source: Wikimedia.
Facts about The Notorious B.I.G.
- Biggie’s real name was Christopher George Latore Wallace.
- He was the only child of his Jamaica parents Voletta Wallace and Selwyn George Latore. His father abandoned him when he was only two years old.
- He got his famous nickname “Big” when he was only 10 years old. The nickname came about because of his obesity.
- Biggie began dealing in drugs when he was only 12 years old. According to him, for several years he sold drugs without his mother’s knowledge, and that his mother only got to know about his drug dealing when he became an adult.
- Growing up, he attended multiple high schools, one of which was the same high school attended by Busta Rhymes and Jay-Z.
- He was a high school dropout.
- Throughout his life, he was arrested and jailed numerous times for crimes ranging from weapons and drugs charges to assault.
- Prior to their extremely bitter feud, Biggie and Tupac were very close friends.
- In 1995, Tupac accused a number of people including Biggie and Sean “Puffy” Combs of being involved in a 1994 robbery at a recording studio in Manhattan that saw Tupac sustaining multiple gunshot injuries and losing lots of jewelry running into thousands of dollars. Biggie denied being involved in the robbery.
- Biggie was accused of his involvement of the murder of his bitter rival and former friend Tupac Shakur, who died six days after being shot multiple times by an unknown shooter in Las Vegas, Nevada on 13th September, 1996. Up until today, it is still not clear whether Biggie was actually involved in the shooting and murder of Tupac or not.
- During the latter part of his life, Biggie was in a romantic relationship with rapper Lil’ Kim.
- In the early hours of 9th March, 1997, while traveling with his entourage, Biggie was shot in the chest four times by an unknown African American gunman. Biggie was instantly rushed to the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead. He was only 24 years old at the time of his tragic death.
- Till today, the man who killed Biggie has never been identified or found. The only information about the killer is that he is an African American and that he wore a blue suite during the commencement of the murder.
Famous Songs by The Notorious B.I.G.
Here are some of the most popular songs by the Notorious B.I.G.:
- Things Done Changed
- One More Chance
- Juicy
- Big Poppa
- Unbelievable
- Everyday Struggle
- Hypnotize
- Mo Money Mo Problems
- Sky’s The Limit
