Jump to content

The Notorious B.I.G.

Page semi-protected
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected fromNotorious BIG)

"Biggie" and "Biggy" redirect here. For other uses, seeBiggie (disambiguation)andBiggy (disambiguation).

The Notorious B.I.G.
Wallace wearing a red jacket
Wallace in 1997
Born
Christopher George Latore Wallace

(1972-05-21)May 21, 1972
Brooklyn, New York City,U.S.
DiedMarch 9, 1997(1997-03-09)(aged 24)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Cause of deathDrive-by homicide(gunshot wound)
Other names
  • Biggie Smalls
  • Biggie
  • Big
  • Frank White
  • Big Poppa
  • MC CWest
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
Years active1992–1997
Spouse
​
(m.1994)​
Children2, includingC. J.
AwardsFull list
Musical career
Genres
Labels

Christopher George Latore Wallace(May 21, 1972 – March 9, 1997), known by thestage namesthe Notorious B.I.G.,Biggie Smalls,[1]andBiggie,[2]was an American rapper. Rooted in theNew York rapscene andgangsta raptraditions, he is widely considered one of the greatest rappers of all time. Wallace became known for his distinctive, laidback lyrical delivery, offsetting his lyrics' oftengrim content.His music was usually semi-autobiographical, telling of hardship and criminality but also of debauchery and celebration.

Born and raised inBrooklyn, New York City,Wallace was the first artist to sign withSean "Puffy" Combs'sBad Boy Recordsin 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 inEast Coast hip hop,helping to restore New York's prominence at a time when theWest Coastwas dominating the genre. In 1995, Wallace was named Rapper of the Year at theBillboardMusic Awards.That same year, Wallace and hisprotégégroup,Junior M.A.F.I.A.—which included longtime friends likeLil' Kim—released their debut album,Conspiracy(1995).

While working on his second album in 1996, he became embroiled in the growingEast Coast–West Coast hip hop feud.AfterTupac Shakurwasmurdered in a drive-by shootingin 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 shootinginLos Angelesby an unknown assailant. Two weeks later, his second album,Life After Death(1997), was issued as a posthumous double album; it debuted atop theBillboard200,yielded twoBillboardHot 100-number one singles: "Hypnotize"and"Mo Money Mo Problems"(featuring Puff Daddy andMase), and receiveddiamondcertification by theRecording Industry Association of America(RIAA).

With two posthumous albums released, Wallace's certified U.S. sales exceed 28million copies, including 21million albums.Rolling Stonecalled him the "greatest rapper that ever lived",[3]and, in 2015,Billboardnamed him thegreatest rapper of all time.[4]The Sourcemagazine named him the greatest rapper of all time in its 150th issue. In 2006,MTVranked him at No. 3 on their list of The Greatest MCs of All Time, calling him possibly "the most skillful ever on the mic".[5]In 2020, he was inducted into theRock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Life and career

1972–1991: Early life

Christopher George Latore Wallace[6]was born at the Cumberland Hospital inBrooklyn, New York,on May 21, 1972.[7]Wallace was the only child ofJamaicanimmigrant parents;[8][9]his mother, Voletta Wallace, was a preschool teacher,[10][11]while his father, Selwyn George Latore, was a welder and politician.[12][13]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.[14]Three months before Wallace's third birthday, his father left the family, leaving his mother to raise him while working two jobs.[15]Wallace grew up in Brooklyn'sClinton Hill,[16]near the border ofBedford-Stuyvesant.[17]As a child, Wallace spent most of his time inFulton Avenue,where he was introduced todrug dealing,alcoholism,andgambling.[18]Raised as aJehovah's Witness,[19]Wallace attended St. Peter Claver Church in Brooklyn, graduating from the college in 1982.[20]He excelled in English atQueen of All Saints Middle School.[21]He attendedWestinghouse High School,a public school attended by several future celebrities, includingJay-ZandBusta Rhymes.[22][23]

Picture of a Stevie Wonder with dreadlocks smiling
Picture of Marvin Gaye wearing a white hat with a slight smile
Growing up, Wallace listened to Black artists likeStevie Wonder(left) andMarvin Gaye(right).

While attending Westinghouse High School, Wallace weighed 91 kilograms (201 lb),[22]which earned him the nickname "Big".[24]During this period, his interest in drug dealing intensified, being influenced by thecrack epidemic of the 1980s and 1990s.[25]A friend introduced him to buying and sellingmarijuanawhen he has around the age of twelve. Having grown up in a strict household, Wallace concealed the money he earned on the roof of his apartment.[25][26]His mother had no idea about this; she only discovered it when he was twenty years old.[26]Despite being anhonor student,Wallace dropped out of school at the age of sixteen due to his growing interest in drug dealing.[27]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.[28][29]A year later, Wallace was arrested inNorth Carolinafor dealingcrack cocaineand spent nine months in jail before making bail.[26]

Early in his life, Wallace was influenced by Black artists likethe Dramatics,Blue Magic,Teddy Pendergrass,Stevie Wonder,andMarvin Gaye.He was also well acquainted with the performances ofParliament-Funkadelic,Earth, Wind & Fire,Kool & the Gang,andChic.During visits toJamaicahe was influenced byits prominent native genres,includingjazz,reggae,soul,andmento.[30]As Wallace entered adolescence, he started listening to artists likeRun-DMCandLL Cool J.[31]Wallace adopted with thestage nameCWest and formed the Techniques with his two friends Michael Bynum and Hubert Sams. Wallace metDonald Harrison,asaxophonistfromNew Orleans,and the Techniques worked on their first songs together at Harrison's home studio.[32]As the trio grew older, their interests shifted; Sams became focused onhigh school football,while Bynum lost interest in the music industry.[33]Wallace adopted his second stage name, Biggie Smalls, fromCalvin Lockhart's character in the 1975 filmLet's Do It Again.[34]

1991–1994: Early career and first child

After his release from jail, Wallace produced his firstdemo tapein 1991 calledMicrophone Murdererwith adisc jockeynamed 50 Grand.[35][36]Although Wallace reportedly had little ambition for the tape, local disc jockeyMister Cee,known for his work withBig Daddy Kaneandthe Juice Crew,discovered and promoted it.[37]Mister Cee sent the tape to Matteo Capoluongo, an editor atThe Sourcemagazine, who featured the track in the "Unsigned Hype" section in March 1992, a chart dedicated to showcasing promising rappers.[38][39]That year, Wallace started gaining exposure; after reading the "Unsigned Hype" section,Sean "Puffy" Combsarranged to meet him.[40][41]Combs connected Wallace to rhyme on the remix ofMary J. Blige's hit "Real Love".[42]

In 1992, Wallace's girlfriend, Jan Jackson,[43]became pregnant, and he was signed toUptown Recordsin March by Combs.[44][45]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 forthe soundtrackof thehip hopcomedyWho's the Man?.The song was "Party and Bullshit",produced by the Brooklyn-basedEasy Mo Bee.[46]The song was heavily inspired by "When the Revolution Comes" bythe 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, vocalistUmar Bin Hassandelivers lines like "niggas will party and bullshit, and party and bullshit".[47]Development on Wallace's first album began at Capoluongo's apartment in late 1992.[48]Wallace appeared onHeavy D & the Boyz's 1992 albumBlue Funk,on the track "A Buncha Niggas".[49]

In July 1993—a month before Wallace's first child was born—Combs was fired from Uptown Records by his mentorAndre 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.[50][51]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.[52]Soon after he was fired, Combs started his own record,Bad Boy Records,and took Wallace with him.[53]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.[54]Wallace explained that theacronym"B.I.G." stood for "Business Instead of Game".[55]Combs andClive Davis,then CEO ofArista 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.[48]

The "Real Love" remix single was followed by a remix of a Mary J. Blige song, "What's the 411?".[56]Wallace's success continued, though to a lesser extent, with remixes ofNeneh Cherry's "Buddy X"and reggae artistSuper Cat's "Dolly My Baby"in 1993.[57]In July 1994, Wallace appeared alongsideLL Cool JandBusta Rhymeson a remix ofCraig Mack's track "Flava in Ya Ear",which reached No. 9 on theBillboardHot 100.[58]"Flava in Ya Ear" reached No. 1 on the rap chart for three consecutive weeks.[59]

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

Faith Evans wearing a fluffy black hat and jumper staring directly into the camera
Faith Evans(pictured in 1998), whom Wallace married in 1994

On August 4, 1994, Wallace marriedR&BsingerFaith Evans,[59][60]whom he first met in June of that year at a promotional photoshoot.[61]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.[62]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".[63][64]Five days after his marriage, Wallace had his first pop chart success as a solo artist with double A-side, "Juicy/ Unbelievable ",[65][66]which reached No. 27 as the lead single to his debut album.[67]

Recorded atthe Hit Factorybetween 1993 and 1994, Wallace released his debut studio album,Ready to Die,on September 13, 1994.[68]Inspired bySnoop Dogg's bold, violent, and darkly humorous hit records, Wallace sought to create a similar style withReady to Die,infused with an East Coast influence.[69]Wallace originally wanted to name the albumThe Teflon Don,drawing inspiration fromJohn 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 nameReady to Die.[70]

Ready to Diereached No. 13 on theBillboard200chart,[71]sold 500,000 copies in its first week,[72]and certified four timesplatinum.[73]The album shifted attention back toEast Coast hip hopat a time whenWest Coast hip hopdominated U.S. charts.[74][75]It received positive reviews upon release and has been widely praised in retrospect.[76][77][78]In addition to "Juicy", the album produced two other hit singles: the platinum-selling "Big Poppa",which topped the U.S. rap chart[79]and "One More Chance",which sold onemillion copies in 1995 (the year of its release).[80]Busta Rhymes recalled seeing Wallace handing out copies ofReady to Diefrom his home, which the former saw as "his way of marketing himself".[81][82]In 1994, Wallace formed the hip hop groupJunior M.A.F.I.A.,[83]which included many of his childhood friends, such asLil' Kimand Lil' Cease.[84]The name is abackronymfor "Masters at Finding Intelligent Attitudes".[85]

Around the time of the album's release, Wallace formed a friendship with fellow rapperTupac ShakurinLos Angeles.[86][87]Lil' Ceaseremembered 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 inCaliforniaorWashington, D.C.[88]Yukmouth,an Oakland emcee, stated that Wallace's style was influenced by Shakur.[89]Wallace also befriended basketball playerShaquille 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 ".[90]In 2015,Daz Dillinger,a frequent collaborator with Shakur, said that he and Wallace were "cool", with Wallace traveling to meet him to smokecannabisand record two songs.[91]

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,Conspiracywas released viaUndeas Recordings.[84]It achievedgoldcertification[92]and sold over 500,000 copies.[93]The first single, "Player's Anthem",features Wallace, Lil' Kim, and Lil' Cease, and was produced byClark 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.[94]Wallace continued collaborating with R&B artists, working with groups like112on "Only You"andTotalon "Can't You See",[95][96]both of which reached the top 20 on the Hot 100.[97][98]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.[99]In July 1995, Wallace appeared on the cover ofThe Sourcewith the caption "The King of New York Takes Over," a nod to his alias Frank White, inspired by the character from the 1990 filmKing of New York.[100][101]AtThe SourceAwardsin August 1995, he won Best New Artist, Lyricist of the Year, and Live Performer of the Year,[36][102]while his debut album was named Album of the Year.[103]He was also honored as Rap Artist of the Year at theBillboardAwards.[104]

In 1995, Wallace became embroiled in theEast Coast–West Coast hip hop rivalry,which involved his now-former friend, Shakur.[105][106]In an April 1995 interview withVibewhile serving time inClinton 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.[107][108]They denied any involvement.[109]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".[110]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 traffickerJames Rosemond.[111]After his release from prison, Shakur signed withDeath Row Recordsin October 1995.[112]This made Bad Boy Records and Death Row business rivals, further escalating the conflict between Shakur and Wallace.[113][114]

In October 1995, Wallace revealed that he still had not received any earnings fromReady to Die,despite the album having sold twomillion copies at the time. With each CD priced at $15 (equivalent to $31 in 2023), the album should have generated approximately $30 million ($56million in 2023) in revenue.[115]Amid the rivalry between Wallace and Shakur, many speculated that "Who Shot Ya?",released in late February 1995 as a secondaryB-sideto "Big Poppa", was intended to taunt Shakur.[116][117]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'ssecond album,however, "the shit was too hard, so Big kept it and said, 'I'm gonna put it out'".[118]

Black and white picture of Michael Jackson singing into a microphone
Wallace worked withMichael Jackson(pictured in 1988) onHIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I(1995).

In June 1995, Wallace worked with pop singerMichael Jacksonon the albumHIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I.[119]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 the1993 child sexual abuse allegations against Jackson.[120]The engineer John Van Nest recalled that Wallace was excited to meet Jackson and was nearly brought to tears when it happened.[121]Wallace began recording his second studio album in late 1995, working on it over the course of eighteen months in New York City,Trinidad,andLos Angeles.The recording process was disrupted by injuries, legal issues, and the publicized hip hop feud between Wallace and Shakur.[122]

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.[123][124]Wallace also started a relationship withCharli 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.[123]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 inTeaneck, New Jersey,on drug and weapons possession charges.[29][125]

At theSoul Train Music Awardsin 1996, "One More Chance (Remix)" was nominated forSong of the Yearand received the R&B/Soul or Rap Song of the Year award in the same year.[126]In June 1996, Shakur released "Hit 'Em Up".Adiss trackdirected 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.[127][128][129]Described as "manic", "Hit 'Em Up" disses Wallace, Combs, and their associates, including Junior M.A.F.I.A., Evans, and Bad Boy Records.[130]In 1996, Wallace collaborated with rising rapperJay-Zon 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. "[131]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 [guy] running around all serious".[131]

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.

Wallace on Shakur's death[132]

On September 7, 1996, Shakurwas shot four times in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas and died six days later.[133][134][135]Because of Shakur's accusations in his records, Wallace, along with other New York rappers likeMobb Deep,Capone,andNoreaga,became suspects in his murder.[136]In a 2002Los Angeles Timesseries titled "Who Killed Tupac Shakur?", journalistChuck Philipsreported, based on police reports and multiple sources, that the shooting was carried out by theSouthside 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.[137][138]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 ".[136]Wallace expressed regret over Shakur's death but declined to attend his funeral when asked by a friend. He explained his decision by saying, "[Shakur] made my life miserable[...] he told lies, fucked with my marriage, [and] turned [my] fans against me ".[139][140]TheLos Angeles Timeseditor Mark Duvoisin stated that "Philips' story has withstood all challenges to its accuracy,[...] [and] remains the definitive account of the Shakur slaying ".[141]Wallace's family denied the report, providing documents that claimed he was in New Jersey at the time of the incident.[142]The New York Timescalled the documents inconclusive, stating:[143][144]

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.[145]Shortly after Shakur's death, Wallace met withSnoop 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.[146][147]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 aChevrolet Lumina,despite Lil' Cease's concerns about its faulty brakes.[148]The car ultimately crashed into a rail, breaking Wallace's left leg and fracturing Lil' Cease's jaw.[149][150]Wallace spent months in the hospital, initially confined to a wheelchair,[151]later relying on a cane (which he used until his death), and undergoing therapy.[87]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".[150]

On October 29, 1996, Evans gave birth to Wallace's son,Christopher "C.J." Wallace Jr.[152][153]Around this time, Wallace began recording the songs forLife After Death.[154]The following month, Junior M.A.F.I.A. member Lil' Kim released her debut albumHard Core.[155]Lil' Kim described herself as Wallace's "biggest fan" and referred to herself as "his pride and joy".[156][157]In a 2012 interview, Lil' Kim revealed that Wallace stopped her from recording a remix ofJodeci'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.[158]While working onLife After Death,Wallace began to lose weight, losing around 30 pounds (14 kg), according to his mother.[159]

1997: Development onLife After Death

I called this albumLife After Deathbecause 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.

Wallace the album's title[160]

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.[161]He facedcriminal assaultcharges for the incident, which remains unresolved, but all robbery charges were dropped.[162]Following the events, Wallace spoke of a desire to focus on his "peace of mind" and his family and friends.[163]

The development ofLife After Deathconcluded in January 1997 for a March 25 release.[164]In February 1997, Wallace traveled to California to promoteLife After Death.[165]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.[166]"Hypnotize" was officially released on March 4, 1997,[167]debuting at theBillboardHot 100at number two, just behind Combs' "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down",and later reached number one.[167]

After production of the video had ended, Wallace was to record his vocals for Combs' upcoming album,Hell Up in Harlem;[168]following the former's death, the album was retitledNo Way Out.He was scheduled to feature on the tracks "Victory"and"It's All About the Benjamins",but later canceled.[169]A few days before his death, Wallace later featured on the two songs.[170]

Murder

Main article:Murder of the Notorious B.I.G.
Photograph of Wallace staring at the camera, wearing a crown in a red background
Wallace in the iconicKing of New Yorkphotograph byBarron Claiborne,taken three days before his death in March 1997

On March 8, 1997, Wallace attended aSoul Train Awardsafter-party hosted byVibeandQwest Recordsat thePetersen Automotive Museumin Los Angeles, California.[171][172][173]Guests included Evans,Aaliyahand members of theBloodsandCripsgangs.[174]With over 2,000 people overcrowding the venue, fire marshals shut it down at 12:35a.m. on March 9.[175]After taking a few photos, Wallace and his crew headed downstairs to theChevrolet Suburbansthey had rented fromBudget Rent a Car.[175]He traveled in the front passenger seat alongside associates Damion "D-Roc" Butler, Lil' Cease, and driver Gregory "G-Money" Young.[176]Combs traveled in the other Suburban with three bodyguards.[177]The two trucks were trailed by a Chevrolet Blazer carrying Bad Boy director of security Paul Offord.[178]

Soon after Wallace's Suburban stopped at the red light, a blackChevrolet Impalapulled up to the right side of the car Wallace was in.[179]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-steelpistol,and fired at Wallace's vehicle. Wallace was struck by four bullets. His entourage rushed him toCedars-Sinai Medical Center,where an emergency thoracotomy was performed, but he was pronounced dead at 1:15 a.m.[180]He was twenty-four years old.[181][182]An autopsy report, released fifteen years after his death, revealed that only the final shot proved fatal. The bullet entered through his righthip,damaging hiscolon,liver,heart,and leftlungbefore coming to rest in his left shoulder.[183][184]

Wallace's funeral was held at theFrank E. Campbell Funeral ChapelinManhattanon March 18.[185][186]There were more than 350 mourners at the funeral,[187][188]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,andSister Souljah.[189][190]David DinkinsandClive Davisalso attended the funeral.[185]After the funeral, his body wascrematedat the Fresh Pond Crematory inFresh Pond, Queens,[191][192]and the ashes were given to his family.[192]

Posthumous releases

Sixteen days after his death, Wallace's second studio album,Life After Death,was released on March 25, 1997.[193]The album achieved four-time platinum certification and became the highest-selling release of the year, tying withMC Hammer'sPlease Hammer Don't Hurt 'Emas one of the best-selling rap albums of all time.Life After Deathdebuted at No. 1 on theBillboard200.[194]It had briefly appeared earlier at No. 176 due to street-date violations.[195]The follow-up single of "Hypnotize", "Mo Money Mo Problems",featuring Combs andMase,became Wallace's biggest chart success, reaching No. 1 on theBillboardHot 100, making him the first artist to achieve two posthumous No. 1 singles.[73][196]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.[197][198]In December 1997,Spinnamed Wallace Artist of the Year, with "Hypnotize" as Single of the Year.[199]

Sean Combs (P. Diddy/Puff Dady) wearing sunglasses while singing into a microphone
Wallace featured on five tracks on Combs' (pictured in 2006)No Way Outalbum.

In mid-1997, Combs released his debut album,No Way Out,which featured Wallace on five tracks, including the single "Victory".[205]The album's most prominent track, "I'll Be Missing You",featuring Combs, Evans, and 112, was dedicated to Wallace's memory.[206]At the1998 Grammy Awards,Life After Deathand its first two singles— "Hypnotize" and "Mo Money Mo Problems" —received nominations in the rap category.[207]Combs'No Way Outwon Best Rap Album,[208]while "I'll Be Missing You" wonBest Rap Performance by a Duo or Group,[209]where Wallace’s "Mo Money Mo Problems" was also nominated.[207]In December 1999, Bad Boy Records releasedBorn Again,[210]an album featuring previously unreleased material from Wallace, mixed with new guest appearances from artists he had not collaborated with during his lifetime, includingEminemandMissy Elliott.[211][212]It spawned two singles: "Dead Wrong"and"Notorious B.I.G.",released on October 26, 1999, and December 11, 1999, respectively.[213][214]"Notorious B.I.G." peaked at No. 82 on theBillboardHot 100.[215]

Wallace featured on Michael Jackson's albumInvincible,providing lead vocals for the track "Unbreakable", which was released on October 30, 2001.[216]Wallace's vocals appeared onAshanti's "Foolish"in 2002,[217]and the track "Runnin' (Dying to Live)"with Shakur in 2003.[218]Duets: The Final Chapter,aremix album,was released on December 20, 2005, which spawned the singles "Nasty Girl"and"Spit Your Game".[219]"Nasty Girl" features Combs,Nelly,Jagged EdgeandAvery Storm,[220]and "Spit Your Game" includes guest appearances fromKrayzie Bone,Twista,and8Ball & MJG.The album peaked at No. 3 onBillboard200,[221]while "Nasty Girl" peaked at No. 44 on the Hot 100.[222]Combs and Voletta both statedDuets: The Final Chapterwould be the last album primarily featuring new material.[223]Acompilation album,Greatest Hits,was released on March 6, 2007—three days before the tenth anniversary of Wallace's death.[224]It included tracks like "Juicy" and "Big Poppa",[224]but was criticized byAllMusicfor not containing hits like "Mo Money Mo Problems" and "Going Back to Cali".[225]The album debuted at number one on theBillboard200 chart.[226]On May 19, 2017,The King & I,a duet album featuring Evans and Wallace, was released, showcasing mostly unreleased tracks.[227]The album peaked at No. 65 on theBillboard200.[228]

Artistry

Vocals

"Only You (Remix)"
Wallace, accompanied by ad libs fromSean "Puff Daddy" Combs,usesonomatopoeicvocablesand multi-syllabic rhymes on his 1995 collaboration withR&Bgroup,112.
"Niggas Bleed"
Wallace tells vivid stories about his everyday life as a criminal inBrooklyn(fromLife After Death).
Problems playing these files? Seemedia help.

Wallace had thevocal rangeof abaritone.[229][230]He typically rapped in a deep tone thatRolling Stonedescribed as a "thick, jaunty grumble",[231]which became even deeper onLife After Death.[232]Wallace was frequently joined by Combs, who contributedad libsto his tracks.[233][215]The Source's"Unsigned Hype" column described his style as "cool, nasal, and filtered, blessing his own material".[234]AllMusic noted Wallace’s talent for layering multiple rhymes in rapid succession,[235]whileTimemagazine highlighted his ability to deliver multi-syllabic rhymes smoothly.[236]Scholar Adam Krims described his rhythmic style as "effusive".[237]Wallace often usedonomatopoeicsounds, like "uhhh" at the start of tracks such as "Hypnotize" and "Big Poppa".[238][239]

LateefofLatyrxdescribed Wallace as having "intense and complex flows",[240]whileOnyx'sFredro Starrcalled him "a master of the flow".[241]Bishop Lamontpraised Wallace's ability to capture "all the hemispheres of the music".[242]Wallace often employed single-linerhyme schemesto bring variety and depth to his flow.[240]Big Daddy Kanenoted 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".[243][244]Known for composing lyrics in his head rather than writing them down, Wallace occasionally deviated from his usual style.[245]For example, he sang in a slow falsetto on "Playa Hater"[246]and adapted to the rapid-fire rhyme flow ofBone Thugs-n-Harmonyon "Notorious Thugs".[247]

Musical style

Wallace's lyrics explored a range of themes, includingmafiosonarratives ( "Niggas Bleed" ),[248]reflections on his drug-dealing past ( "Ten Crack Commandments"),[249]materialistic boasting ( "Hypnotize" ),[45]humor ( "Just Playing (Dreams)"),[250]and romantic experiences ( "Me & My Bitch").[250]In 2004,Rolling Stonepraised him as "one of the few young male songwriters in any pop style writing credible love songs".[232]In the bookHow to Rap,rapperGuerilla Blackhighlighted Wallace's ability to "glorify the upper echelon"[251]while also making listeners "feel his struggle".[252]According toThe New York TimesjournalistTouré,Wallace's lyrics "[mixed] autobiographical details about crime and violence with emotional honesty".[26]Another writer forThe 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.[29]Wallace described his debut album,Ready to Die,as "a big pie, with each slice indicating a different point in [his] life involving bitches and niggaz[...] from the beginning to the end ".[253]

Rolling Stonedescribed 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".[232]AllMusic noted "a sense of doom" in some of his songs, while Jon Pareles ofThe New York Timesdescribed a thread of paranoia in others.[235][254]Wallace himself stated that he felt "broke and depressed" while creating his debut album.[254]The final track onReady to Die,"Suicidal Thoughts", portrays a character contemplating and ultimately committing suicide.[255]On his follow-up album,Life After Death,Wallace's lyrics delved even "deeper", as observed byRolling Stone.[232]Krims observed that the record alternates between upbeat, dance-oriented tracks and gritty "reality rap," reflecting a thematic shift toward a more "pimp" persona.[237]XXL Magnoted 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.[256]AllMusic credited Wallace's storytelling ability as a key factor in the success ofReady to Die.[235]

Legacy

Widely regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time, AllMusic described Wallace as "the savior of East Coast hip-hop".[99]The Sourcenamed him the greatest rapper of all time in its 150th issue in March 2002.[257][258]MTVranked him No. 3 on their 2006 list of The Greatest MCs of All Time, calling him potentially "the most skillful ever on the mic".[5]In 2012, he was listed onThe Source'sTop 50 Lyrical Leaders.[259]Rolling Stonehailed him as the "greatest rapper that ever lived",[3]and in 2015,Billboardnamed Wallace thegreatest rapper of all time.[260]

Wallace's lyrics have been extensively sampled and quoted by artists across genres, includingJay-Z,[261]50 Cent,[262]Eminem,[263]Lil Wayne,[264]Drake,[264]Kendrick Lamar,[264]Ludacris,[264]andKanye West.[264]Tributes to him have featured prominently inhip hop culture,such as at the2005 MTV Video Music Awards,where Combs andSnoop Dogghonored him with an orchestral performance of his songs "Juicy" and "Warning".[265][266]At the 2005VH1 Hip Hop Honors,a tribute to Wallace headlined the show.[267]At the same show in 2016,Rich Homie Quanperformed "Get Money" but faced criticism after forgetting the lyrics.[268][269]Before he died, Wallace had begun promoting a clothing line, Brooklyn Mint, focused on plus-sized apparel.[270]The brand became dormant after his death but was relaunched in 2004 by his managers,Mark PittsandWayne Barrow,[270]with assistance from Jay-Z.[271]Proceeds benefitted several charitable organizations, including Christopher Wallace Foundation and the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation.[270][271]

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.[272]Theacronym"B.I.G." is repurposed to stand for "Books Instead of Guns".[273]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.[274]In 2019, the corner of Fulton Street and St. James Place was renamed in his honor.[275]Wallace's image and persona inspired elements of theMarvel Cinematic Universe's portrayal ofCornell "Cottonmouth" Stokesin theNetflixseriesLuke Cage.[276]In August 2020, Wallace's son, C.J. Wallace, released ahouseremix of "Big Poppa".[277][278]The 2021 Netflix documentaryBiggie: I Got a Story to Tellexplores 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.[279]

Biopic

Notoriousis a 2009 biographical film depicting the life and career of Wallace,[280]starring rapperJamal Woolardin the lead role.[281]Directed byGeorge Tillman Jr.and distributed byFox Searchlight Pictures,[282][100]the film was produced by his managers, Combs, Barrow, and Pitts, and his mother, Voletta.[283][284]On January 16, 2009, the film's debut at the Grand 18 theater inGreensboro, North Carolina,was delayed after a shooting occurred in the parking lot before the screening.[285]The film grossed $44.4 million worldwide with a $20 million budget, and received mixed reviews from critics.[286]

In October 2007, open casting calls began for the role of Wallace,[287]attracting actors, rappers, and aspiring performers.Beanie Sigelauditioned but was not selected,[288]whileSean Kingstonexpressed interest in the role, though producers denied his involvement.[289]Ultimately, Woolard was cast as Wallace,[281]and Wallace's son, C. J., portrayed his father.[290]To accompany the film, Bad Boy Records releaseda soundtrack albumon January 13, 2009, featuring many of Wallace's prominent tracks such as "Hypnotize" and "Juicy".[291]

Discography

Main article:The Notorious B.I.G. discography

Studio albums

Posthumous albums

Collaboration album

Posthumous collaboration album

Media

Filmography

Television appearances

  • New York Undercover(1995) as himself
  • Martin(1995) as himself
  • Who Shot Biggie & Tupac?(2017)
  • Unsolved(2018)

Awards and nominations

Awards and nominations received by the Notorious B.I.G.
Award Year[a] Work/Nominee Category Result Ref.
ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards 2005 "Runnin' (Dying to Live)"(with Tupac Shakur) Top Soundtrack Song of the Year Won [292]
2017 — ASCAP Founders Award Won [293]
2020 "Sicko Mode" Winning Rap and R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Won [294]
BillboardMusic Awards 1995 — Rap Artist of the Year Won [295]
"One More Chance/Stay with Me (Remix)"(with Faith Evans) Rap Single of the Year Won [296]
1997 Life After Death R&B Album Won [297]
Grammy Awards 1996 "Big Poppa" Best Rap Solo Performance Nominated [298]
1998 "Hypnotize" Best Rap Solo Performance Nominated [299]
"Mo Money Mo Problems" Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group(withMaseandPuff Daddy) Nominated [300]
Life After Death Best Rap Album Nominated [301]
MTV Video Music Awards 1997 "Hypnotize" Best Rap Video Won [302]
1998 "Mo Money Mo Problems" Best Rap Video(with Mase and Puff Daddy) Nominated [303]
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2020 — Performers Won [304]
Soul Train Music Awards 1996 "One More Chance/Stay With Me (Remix)"(with Faith Evans) R&B/Soul or Rap Song of the Year Won [305]
1998 Life After Death Best R&B/Soul Album – Male Won [306]
Life After Death R&B/Soul or Rap Song of the Year Nominated [307]
"Mo Money Mo Problems"(with Mase and Puff Daddy) Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video Nominated [308]
The SourceHip-Hop Music Awards 1995 — New Artist of the Year, Solo Won [309]
— Lyricist of the Year Won [310]
— Live Performer of the Year Won [309]
Ready to Die Album of the Year Won [309]

See also

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.Archivedfrom the original on October 4, 2024.RetrievedOctober 5,2024.
  2. ^"Notorious B.I.G: in his own words, and those of his friends".MTV.March 7, 2007. Archived fromthe originalon March 11, 2007.RetrievedMarch 11,2007.
  3. ^ab"50 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs of All Time".Rolling Stone.December 5, 2012.Archivedfrom the original on April 22, 2019.RetrievedOctober 2,2024.
  4. ^Gale, Alex; Horowitz, Steven J. (November 12, 2015)."Greatest of All Time".Billboard.Archived fromthe originalon November 13, 2015.RetrievedOctober 2,2024.
  5. ^ab"MTV.com: The Greatest MCs Of All Time".MTV.2006. Archived fromthe originalon August 14, 2011.RetrievedOctober 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.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2024.RetrievedOctober 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.Archivedfrom the original on December 6, 2022.RetrievedOctober 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.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2024.RetrievedOctober 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.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2024.RetrievedOctober 2,2024.
  20. ^Coker 2003,p. 19.
  21. ^"The Biggie walk".Time Out.January 12, 2009.Archivedfrom the original on June 25, 2021.RetrievedOctober 2,2024.
  22. ^abCoker 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 fromthe originalon April 29, 2009.RetrievedOctober 7,2006.
  25. ^abLang 2007,p. 7.
  26. ^abcdTouré(December 18, 1994)."Pop music: Biggie Smalls, Rap's Man of the Moment".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on July 1, 2017.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  27. ^Lang 2007,p. 8.
  28. ^Coker 2003,p. 40.
  29. ^abcMarriott, Michel (March 17, 1997)."The Short Life of a Rap Star, Shadowed by Many Troubles".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on January 7, 2019.RetrievedOctober 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. ^ab"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.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2024.RetrievedOctober 2,2024.
  37. ^Brown, Preezy (June 15, 2022)."The Notorious B.I.G.'s Demo Tape Collaborator" DJ 50 Grand "Dead At 55".Vibe.Archivedfrom the original on April 30, 2024.RetrievedOctober 2,2024.
  38. ^Coker 2003,p. 55.
  39. ^"Unsigned Hype Revisited: The Notorious B.I.G. (March, 1992)".The Source.August 6, 2014.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2024.RetrievedOctober 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.Archivedfrom the original on September 27, 2024.RetrievedOctober 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.Archivedfrom the original on October 4, 2024.RetrievedOctober 2,2024.
  44. ^Coker 2003,p. 77.
  45. ^abHatchman, Jonathan (December 16, 2015)."The Notorious BIG – 10 of the best".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on September 27, 2023.RetrievedOctober 2,2024.
  46. ^Coker 2003,p. 80.
  47. ^Coker 2003,pp. 81.
  48. ^abCoker 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.Archivedfrom the original on March 13, 2024.RetrievedOctober 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.Archivedfrom the original on October 4, 2024.RetrievedOctober 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.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2024.RetrievedOctober 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.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2024.RetrievedOctober 4,2024.
  59. ^abCoker 2003,p. 112.
  60. ^"Singer Faith Evans and husband agree to rehab".Jet.Vol. 105, no. 8. February 23, 2004. p. 58.ISSN0021-5996.
  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.Archivedfrom the original on November 10, 2006.RetrievedOctober 5,2024.
  65. ^Nance 2019,p. 140.
  66. ^"Inside the charts".Billboard.Vol. 119, no. 21. May 26, 2007.ISSN0006-2510.
  67. ^Herbert, David Gauvey (April 18, 2017)."The Notorious B.I.G. & 9/11: Radio Censorship, Illuminati Conspiracy Theories and Everything In Between".Billboard.RetrievedOctober 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.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2024.RetrievedOctober 4,2024.
  72. ^Coker 2003,p. 114.
  73. ^abMuhammad, Ismail (May 31, 2017)."Mo Money Mo Problems by Notorious B.I.G."PBS.Archivedfrom the original on October 8, 2024.RetrievedNovember 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.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2024.RetrievedOctober 5,2024.
  76. ^Tyrangiel, Josh; Light, Alan (November 2, 2006)."All-time 100 Best Albums?".Time.Archivedfrom the original on November 12, 2020.RetrievedOctober 5,2024.
  77. ^Rolling Stone (December 31, 2023)."The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time".Rolling Stone.Archivedfrom the original on September 22, 2020.RetrievedOctober 5,2024.
  78. ^"The 36 best hip-hop albums for a journey through rap history".GQ.May 22, 2020.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2024.RetrievedOctober 5,2024.
  79. ^Smith, Harrison (August 12, 2021)."Chucky Thompson: Producer who reshaped Nineties R&B and hip-hop".The Independent.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2024.RetrievedOctober 5,2024.
  80. ^"Gold & Platinum".RIAA.May 31, 2024.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2024.RetrievedOctober 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.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2024.RetrievedOctober 5,2024.
  82. ^Luling, Todd Van (March 9, 2015)."5 Things You Didn't Know About The Notorious B.I.G."HuffPost.RetrievedOctober 5,2024.
  83. ^Abraham, Mya (July 11, 2023)."7 Rappers Directly Influenced By Lil' Kim: Cardi B, Nicki Minaj And More".Vibe.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2024.RetrievedOctober 6,2024.
  84. ^abFitzgerald, Trent (August 29, 2023)."Junior M.A.F.I.A. Drop Their Debut Album Conspiracy".XXL Mag.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2024.RetrievedOctober 6,2024.
  85. ^Lowers, Erin (October 9, 2019)."The Regal Life of Queen Bee Lil' Kim".Exclaim!.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2024.RetrievedOctober 6,2024.
  86. ^Westhoff, Ben (September 12, 2016)."How Tupac and Biggie Went from Friends to Deadly Rivals".Vice.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2024.RetrievedOctober 5,2024.
  87. ^abMosley, Tonya (August 23, 2023)."As hip-hop turns 50, Biggie Smalls' legacy reminds us of what the genre has survived".NPR.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2024.RetrievedNovember 9,2024.
  88. ^Ziegbe, Mawuse (June 16, 2010)."Tupac And Biggie Probably Celebrated Birthdays Together, Lil' Cease Says".MTV. Archived fromthe originalon April 21, 2015.RetrievedJanuary 19,2015.
  89. ^Kyles, Yohance (January 19, 2015)."Yukmouth Talks Tupac's Impact On Hip Hop; Says Pac Influenced Biggie's Style".AllHipHop.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2024.RetrievedOctober 5,2024.
  90. ^Muhammad, Latifah (March 8, 2011)."Shaq Remembers Friendship With Notorious B.I.G."The Boombox.Archivedfrom the original on April 5, 2023.RetrievedOctober 5,2024.
  91. ^Harris, Christopher (April 25, 2015)."Daz Dillinger Details Recording With The Notorious B.I.G."HipHopDX.Archived fromthe originalon April 25, 2015.RetrievedApril 25,2015.
  92. ^"Gold & Platinum".Recording Industry Association of America.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2024.RetrievedOctober 6,2024.
  93. ^Ro 2002,p. 67.
  94. ^"Gold & Platinum".Recording Industry Association of America.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2024.RetrievedOctober 6,2024.
  95. ^"Top 20 Singles".Jet.Vol. 90, no. 16. September 2, 1996. p. 64.ISSN0021-5996.
  96. ^"Rhythm section".Billboard.Vol. 107, no. 18. May 6, 1995. p. 15.ISSN0006-2510.
  97. ^"Billboard Hot 100 Singles".Billboard.Vol. 108, no. 31. August 3, 1996. p. 106.ISSN0006-2510.
  98. ^Josephs, Brian (March 9, 2020)."The Notorious B.I.G.'s 25 Best Songs: Critic's Picks".Billboard.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2024.RetrievedOctober 6,2024.
  99. ^ab"The Notorious B.I.G."AllMusic.Archivedfrom the original on July 6, 2023.RetrievedOctober 6,2024.
  100. ^abHiggins, Keenan (May 21, 2019)."Up In The Source: Looking Back at BIG's Covers of 'The Source Magazine'".The Source.Archivedfrom the original on May 17, 2020.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  101. ^Vernon Coleman, C. (March 29, 2019)."A History of Rappers Calling Themselves the King of New York".XXL Mag.Archivedfrom the original on June 6, 2020.RetrievedOctober 6,2024.
  102. ^Coker 2003,p. 158.
  103. ^Thompson, Ahmir “Questlove” (August 10, 2023)."Questlove: The Day Hip-Hop Changed Forever".Time.Archivedfrom the original on September 23, 2024.RetrievedOctober 7,2024.
  104. ^"Rap genius, or evil criminal?".BBC Radio.February 25, 2022.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2024.RetrievedOctober 7,2024.
  105. ^Anderson, Joel (December 11, 2019)."How Tupac's Death Affected Biggie".Slate.RetrievedOctober 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.RetrievedOctober 7,2024.
  108. ^Powell, Kevin (February 14, 2021)."Revisit Tupac's April 1995 Cover Story:" Ready to Live "".Vibe.Archivedfrom the original on November 25, 2021.RetrievedOctober 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.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2024.RetrievedOctober 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.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2024.RetrievedOctober 7,2024.
  111. ^"Convicted Killer Confesses to Shooting West Coast Rapper Tupac Shakur".The Baltimore Sun.July 13, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon August 29, 2012.RetrievedAugust 21,2012.
  112. ^"Tupac Shakur".ABC Listen.September 13, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on May 27, 2024.RetrievedOctober 7,2024.
  113. ^"Death Row-Bad Boy Feud".Los Angeles Times.September 7, 2002.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2024.RetrievedOctober 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.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2024.RetrievedOctober 7,2024.
  115. ^Coker 2003,p. 146.
  116. ^Anderson, Joel (November 13, 2019)."The B-Side That Deepened Biggie and Tupac's Rift".Slate.RetrievedOctober 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.Archivedfrom the original on July 20, 2018.RetrievedOctober 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.RetrievedOctober 8,2024.
  121. ^Vogel 2019,p. 313.
  122. ^"The Making of Life After Death: Many Men".XXL Mag.March 9, 2006. Archived fromthe originalon March 24, 2006.RetrievedOctober 7,2024.
  123. ^abCoker 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.Archivedfrom the original on May 20, 2024.RetrievedOctober 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.Archivedfrom the original on September 22, 2023.RetrievedOctober 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. ^abCoker 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. ^abCoker 2003,p. 192.
  137. ^Philips, Chuck (September 6, 2002)."Who Killed Tupac Shakur?".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on January 7, 2022.RetrievedJuly 15,2012.
  138. ^Philips, Chuck (September 7, 2002)."How Vegas police probe floundered in Tupac Shakur case".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on March 18, 2013.RetrievedJuly 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.RetrievedOctober 9,2024.
  141. ^Rolling Stone (January 12, 2006)."L.A. Times Responds to Biggie Story".Rolling Stone.Archivedfrom the original on September 18, 2024.RetrievedOctober 9,2024.
  142. ^Silverman, Stephen M."B.I.G. Family Denies Tupac Murder Claim".People.Archived fromthe originalon March 21, 2008.RetrievedOctober 9,2024.
  143. ^Leland, John (October 7, 2002)."New Theories Stir Speculation On Rap Deaths".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on October 2, 2013.RetrievedSeptember 30,2013.
  144. ^"Hip-hop's grassy knoll".Tampa Bay Times.September 3, 2005.RetrievedOctober 10,2024.
  145. ^"Who Killed Tupac? 6 Suspects From The Biggest Conspiracy Theories".Capital Xtra.September 12, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on April 24, 2024.RetrievedOctober 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.RetrievedOctober 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.Archivedfrom the original on November 9, 2024.RetrievedNovember 9,2024.
  149. ^Ahmed, Insanul (June 6, 2011)."Injury Report: When Rappers Get Hurt From Accidents".Complex.RetrievedNovember 9,2024.
  150. ^abHarling, Danielle (February 9, 2015)."Lil Cease Says The Notorious B.I.G. Wrote A Portion Of" Life After Death "While Hospitalized".HipHopDX.Archivedfrom the original on August 9, 2018.RetrievedNovember 9,2024.
  151. ^"Biggie had to use a cane for the last few months of his life".Capital XTRA.February 25, 2021.Archivedfrom the original on November 9, 2024.RetrievedNovember 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.Archivedfrom the original on April 15, 2024.RetrievedOctober 10,2024.
  156. ^Markman, Rob (March 9, 2012)."Notorious B.I.G. Would Have Worked With Kanye West, Lil' Kim Says".MTV.Archived fromthe originalon June 12, 2018.RetrievedSeptember 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.Archivedfrom the original on November 17, 2024.RetrievedOctober 10,2024.
  158. ^Markman, Rob (March 15, 2012)."Notorious B.I.G. 'Locked' Lil' Kim In A Room To Prevent Jodeci Collabo".MTV.Archived fromthe originalon August 12, 2020.RetrievedSeptember 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 fromthe originalon April 7, 2014.RetrievedDecember 23,2006.
  162. ^Marriott, Michel (March 17, 1997)."The Short Life of a Rap Star, Shadowed by Many Troubles".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on January 7, 2019.RetrievedMarch 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.Archivedfrom the original on November 9, 2024.RetrievedNovember 9,2024.
  166. ^Coker 2003,p. 226.
  167. ^abBreihan, Tom (May 4, 2022)."The Number Ones: The Notorious B.I.G.'s" Hypnotize "".Stereogum.Archivedfrom the original on November 28, 2023.RetrievedNovember 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.Archivedfrom the original on November 9, 2024.RetrievedNovember 9,2024.
  172. ^Coker 2003,p. 239.
  173. ^Charnas, Dan (September 27, 2018)."'We Changed Culture': An Oral History of Vibe Magazine ".Billboard.Archivedfrom the original on November 9, 2024.RetrievedNovember 9,2024.
  174. ^Sullivan, Randall (January 7, 2011)."The Unsolved Mystery of the Notorious B.I.G."Rolling Stone.Archivedfrom the original on August 17, 2018.RetrievedNovember 9,2024.
  175. ^abCoker 2003,p. 241.
  176. ^Ford, Dana (December 8, 2012)."Notorious B.I.G. autopsy released, 15 years after his death".CNN.Archivedfrom the original on November 9, 2024.RetrievedNovember 9,2024.
  177. ^Sullivan, Randall (January 7, 2011)."The Unsolved Mystery of the Notorious B.I.G."Rolling Stone.Archivedfrom the original on November 9, 2024.RetrievedNovember 9,2024.
  178. ^Niles, Billy (March 9, 2019)."All the Questions Still Lingering Since the Notorious B.I.G.'s Death".E! Online.Archivedfrom the original on November 9, 2024.RetrievedNovember 9,2024.
  179. ^Coker 2003,p. 243.
  180. ^Sullivan, Randall (January 7, 2011)."The Unsolved Mystery of the Notorious B.I.G."Rolling Stone.Archivedfrom the original on November 9, 2024.RetrievedNovember 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.Archivedfrom the original on December 2, 2023.RetrievedNovember 9,2024.
  184. ^Cooper, Leonie (December 7, 2012)."Notorious BIG's autopsy report revealed".NME.RetrievedNovember 9,2024.
  185. ^abTinsley 2022,p.376.
  186. ^"The Notorious B.I.G.: Life and legacy of a Brooklyn hero".New York Daily News.March 8, 2023.RetrievedNovember 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.Archivedfrom the original on November 9, 2024.RetrievedNovember 9,2024.
  189. ^Italie, Leanne (August 29, 2018)."The days the music died: A look at funerals of the greats".The Detroit News.RetrievedNovember 9,2024.
  190. ^McClafferty, Torres & Mitchell 2000,p. 263.
  191. ^Brown 2004,p. 139.
  192. ^ab"Biggie's body is carried through his Brooklyn home, passing thousands of fans in 1997".New York Daily News.March 19, 1997.Archivedfrom the original on November 9, 2024.RetrievedNovember 9,2024.
  193. ^Madden, Sidney (March 25, 2023)."The Notorious B.I.G. Drops Life After Death Album".XXL Mag.RetrievedNovember 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.Archivedfrom the original on November 13, 2024.RetrievedNovember 12,2024.
  195. ^Pedersen, Erik (January 10, 2008)."Fans in touch with Radiohead's 'Rainbows'".The Hollywood Reporter.Associated Press.Archivedfrom the original on November 13, 2024.RetrievedNovember 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.Archivedfrom the original on February 15, 2022.RetrievedNovember 12,2024.
  197. ^"We'll Always Love Big Poppa: 5 Unforgettable Notorious B.I.G. Videos".Rap-Up.March 9, 2011.RetrievedNovember 12,2024.
  198. ^"The 100 Greatest Music Video Artists of All Time: Staff List".Billboard.August 27, 2020.Archivedfrom the original on August 27, 2020.RetrievedNovember 12,2024.
  199. ^"B.I.G. Gets Props From Spin".Rolling Stone.December 2, 1997. Archived fromthe originalon August 17, 2007.RetrievedNovember 12,2024.
  200. ^Brown, Preezy (July 1, 2017)."Bad Boy For Life: 20 Facts About Puff Daddy & The Family's 'No Way Out'".Vibe.Archivedfrom the original on November 13, 2024.RetrievedNovember 12,2024.
  201. ^Ramirez, Erika (November 6, 2020)."Biggie's Biggest: The Notorious B.I.G.'s Top 15 Billboard Hot 100 Hits".Billboard.Archivedfrom the original on November 13, 2024.RetrievedNovember 12,2024.
  202. ^Brown, Preezy (April 18, 2024)."Damon Dash Claims Diddy And Biggie Smalls Copied Him And JAY-Z".Vibe.Archivedfrom the original on November 13, 2024.RetrievedNovember 12,2024.
  203. ^Aaron, Charles; Reeves, Mosi; Dukes, Will; Gross, Joe (March 9, 2022)."The 50 Best Notorious B.I.G. Songs".Rolling Stone.Archivedfrom the original on November 13, 2024.RetrievedNovember 12,2024.
  204. ^Lyons, Patrick (March 9, 2017)."Notorious B.I.G.'s Five Most Underrated Tracks".HotNewHipHop.RetrievedNovember 12,2024.
  205. ^[200][201][202][203][204]
  206. ^Abraham, Mya (November 12, 2024)."Sting Says Diddy Allegations And Arrest Don't 'Taint' 1983 Hit, 'Every Breath You Take'".Vibe.Archivedfrom the original on November 12, 2024.RetrievedNovember 13,2024.
  207. ^ab"1998 Grammy Awards – Rap music winners".CNN.1998. Archived fromthe originalon August 23, 2000.RetrievedDecember 7,2012.
  208. ^Pearce, Sheldon (March 9, 2017)."Puff Daddy & the Family: No Way Out".Pitchfork.Archivedfrom the original on March 9, 2024.RetrievedNovember 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!.RetrievedNovember 13,2024.
  210. ^Boardman, Madeline (March 9, 2016)."The Notorious BIG: Life in Photos".Entertainment Weekly.Archivedfrom the original on March 14, 2023.RetrievedNovember 13,2024.
  211. ^"Born Again".NME.September 12, 2005.Archivedfrom the original on April 2, 2023.RetrievedNovember 13,2024.
  212. ^Greene, Jayson (March 9, 2017)."The Notorious B.I.G.: Born Again".Pitchfork.Archivedfrom the original on May 24, 2024.RetrievedNovember 13,2024.
  213. ^"Dead Wrong (Featuring Eminem)".Apple Music(US).RetrievedNovember 13,2024.
  214. ^"Notorious B.I.G. (Featuring Lil' Kim & Puff Daddy)".Apple Music(MY).RetrievedNovember 13,2024.
  215. ^abBreihan, Tom (May 13, 2022)."The Number Ones: The Notorious B.I.G.'s" Mo Money Mo Problems "(Feat. Puff Daddy & Mase)".Stereogum.Archivedfrom the original on February 24, 2023.RetrievedNovember 13,2024.
  216. ^"Unbreakable".Apple Music(IN).RetrievedNovember 13,2024.
  217. ^"Recalls Sampling The Notorious B.I.G. On" Unfoolish, "Says" Puff Swore That Irv Took His Beat "".HipHopDX.March 7, 2014.RetrievedNovember 13,2024.
  218. ^Aaron, Charles; Reeves, Mosi; Dukes, Will; Gross, Joe (March 9, 2022)."The 50 Best Notorious B.I.G. Songs".Rolling Stone.RetrievedNovember 13,2024.
  219. ^Henderson, Eric (December 20, 2005)."Review: The Notorious B.I.G., Duets: The Final Chapter".Slant.Archivedfrom the original on July 12, 2019.RetrievedNovember 13,2024.
  220. ^"Nasty Girl (Featuring P. Diddy, Nelly, Jagged Edge & Avery Storm)".Apple Music(PG).RetrievedNovember 13,2024.
  221. ^"Biography, Music & News".Billboard.March 24, 2007.Archivedfrom the original on November 4, 2023.RetrievedNovember 13,2024.
  222. ^"The Notorious B.I.G.: Billboard Hot 100".Billboard.August 30, 1997.Archivedfrom the original on October 20, 2023.RetrievedNovember 13,2024.
  223. ^"Notorious B.I.G.: an album too far?".The Independent.January 27, 2006.Archivedfrom the original on April 10, 2023.RetrievedNovember 13,2024.
  224. ^ab"Greatest Hits".Apple Music(US). March 6, 2007.Archivedfrom the original on August 19, 2024.RetrievedNovember 13,2024.
  225. ^"Greatest Hits: The Notorious B.I.G."AllMusic.March 6, 2007.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2024.RetrievedNovember 13,2024.
  226. ^"Biggie Best-Of Bows at No. 1".Billboard.March 14, 2007.RetrievedNovember 13,2024.
  227. ^Gibsone, Harriet (February 3, 2017)."Faith Evans and Notorious BIG duet album due out in May".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on May 20, 2019.RetrievedNovember 13,2024.
  228. ^"Faith Evans: Billboard 200".Billboard.Archivedfrom the original on April 10, 2023.RetrievedNovember 13,2024.
  229. ^Gee, Andre (May 4, 2023)."Timbaland Just Added Fuel to Our Growing Rap Dystopia".Rolling Stone.Archivedfrom the original on April 16, 2024.RetrievedNovember 13,2024.
  230. ^Hellerbach, Miki (January 15, 2024)."Busta Rhymes, Pop Smoke, GloRilla & more: 16 rappers with the best deep voices".Revolt.Archivedfrom the original on March 26, 2024.RetrievedNovember 13,2024.
  231. ^"Life After Death review".Rolling Stone.December 7, 1997. Archived fromthe originalon February 20, 2007.RetrievedJanuary 7,2007.
  232. ^abcd"Notorious B.I.G.: Biography".Rolling Stone.Archived fromthe originalon February 16, 2006.RetrievedDecember 26,2006.
  233. ^Findlay, Mitch (October 16, 2019)."Diddy Reminds The People That Notorious B.I.G Is The GOAT".HotNewHipHop.RetrievedNovember 13,2024.
  234. ^"Biggie Smalls Unsigned Hype".The Source.Archived fromthe originalon February 4, 2013.RetrievedDecember 28,2012.
  235. ^abc"The Notorious B.I.G."AllMusic.Archivedfrom the original on March 25, 2019.RetrievedNovember 13,2024.
  236. ^Tyrangiel, Josh; Light, Alan (November 2, 2006)."Is Ready to Die one of the All-TIME 100 Best Albums?".Time.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2024.RetrievedNovember 13,2024.
  237. ^abKrims 2000,p. 85.
  238. ^"Hypnotize (Club Mix)".Apple Music(US).RetrievedNovember 13,2024.
  239. ^"Big Poppa".Apple Music(US).RetrievedNovember 13,2024.
  240. ^abEdwards 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.Archivedfrom the original on June 17, 2024.RetrievedNovember 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.Archivedfrom the original on May 30, 2024.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  247. ^Coker, Cheo Hodari (March 26, 1997)."A Memorable 'Life' on Its Own Merits".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  248. ^Berry, Peter A. (March 25, 2022)."Remembering The Notorious B.I.G.'s flawless posthumous album 'Life After Death'".Revolt.Archivedfrom the original on March 26, 2024.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  249. ^Cauley, Kashana (March 24, 2017)."Why Notorious B.I.G.'s 'Life After Death' Resonates More Now Than Ever".Rolling Stone.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  250. ^ab"Notorious B.I.G.: Still the Illest".MTV.Archived fromthe originalon December 13, 2006.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  251. ^Edwards 2012,p. 14.
  252. ^Edwards 2012,p. 44.
  253. ^Brown 2004,p. 66.
  254. ^abPareles, Jon (March 10, 1997)."Rapping, Living and Dying a Gangsta Life".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on November 10, 2018.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  255. ^Coker 2003,p. 104.
  256. ^"The History of Cocaine Rap: All White".XXL Mag.November 6, 2006.Archivedfrom the original on November 28, 2023.RetrievedNovember 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 fromthe originalon June 11, 2007.RetrievedJanuary 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 fromthe originalon March 19, 2016.RetrievedAugust 6,2023.
  261. ^Ex, Kris (July 9, 2013)."Jay-Z's 'Magna Carta' Is A Fait Accompli".NPR.Archivedfrom the original on August 8, 2024.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  262. ^"'Realest N****s' The Notorious B.I.G. and 50 Cent (2003) ".Rolling Stone.March 10, 2022.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  263. ^Berry, Peter (July 22, 2020)."Here Are Eminem's 20 Best Guest Verses".XXL Mag.Archivedfrom the original on April 2, 2024.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  264. ^abcdeDiep, Eric (February 21, 2014)."Songs That Sample The Notorious B.I.G."XXL Mag.Archivedfrom the original on December 11, 2023.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  265. ^Cohen, Jonathan (August 28, 2005)."Green Day Dominates MTV Video Music Awards".Billboard.RetrievedNovember 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.Archivedfrom the original on October 8, 2024.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  267. ^"VH1 to give Notorious B.I.G. Hip Hop Honors".Today.Associated Press.June 29, 2005.Archivedfrom the original on August 5, 2020.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  268. ^Collins, Shanna (July 15, 2016)."Rich Homie Quan Blames Teleprompter For Biggie Faux Pas On 'Hip Hop Honors'".Vibe.Archivedfrom the original on August 13, 2022.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  269. ^Pearce, Sheldon (July 12, 2016)."Rich Homie Quan Apologizes for Notorious B.I.G. 'Hip Hop Honors' Flub".Pitchfork.Archivedfrom the original on February 24, 2024.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  270. ^abcGermain, Tabie (March 9, 2023)."Biggie's Legacy Lives On".BET.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  271. ^abWatkins, Greg (February 8, 2005)."B.I.G.'s Brooklyn Mint Clothing Line Debuts, Jay-Z Gets Down".AllHipHop.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  272. ^"Image 17 from Life & TImes Of Biggie".BET.August 8, 1993.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  273. ^Williams, Damon C. (May 31, 2004)."Mothers Tend Legacies of Fallen Rappers".The Washington Post.Archivedfrom the original on February 1, 2023.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  274. ^Brown, Preezy (August 27, 2022)."The Notorious B.I.G.'s Mural Defaced In Brooklyn".Vibe.Archivedfrom the original on June 6, 2023.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  275. ^Blais-Billie, Braudie (June 11, 2019)."Notorious B.I.G. Officially Gets His Own Brooklyn Street Name".Pitchfork.Archivedfrom the original on January 23, 2024.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  276. ^Grebey, James (August 9, 2016)."Everything you need to know about Luke Cage".Business Insider.Archivedfrom the original on June 18, 2024.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  277. ^Kreps, Daniel (August 12, 2020)."Notorious B.I.G.'s Son Drops 'Big Poppa' Dance Remix".Rolling Stone.Archivedfrom the original on November 5, 2023.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  278. ^Blanchet, Brenton (August 12, 2020)."Notorious B.I.G.'s Son Shares 'Big Poppa' House Remix".Spin.Archivedfrom the original on September 27, 2020.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  279. ^Kreps, Daniel (February 15, 2021)."Notorious B.I.G.: See First Trailer for Estate-Approved Netflix Documentary".Rolling Stone.Archivedfrom the original on February 25, 2021.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  280. ^Kreps, Daniel (February 14, 2017)."Authorized Notorious B.I.G. Documentary 'One More Chance' in the Works".Rolling Stone.Archivedfrom the original on July 16, 2023.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  281. ^abEzugwu, Emmanuel (February 12, 2009)."Become Notorious BIG in 10 easy steps!".The Guardian.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  282. ^Pulver, Andrew (November 10, 2011)."Miles Davis biopic to be directed by George Tillman Jr".The Guardian.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  283. ^Anderson, John (January 11, 2009)."Notorious".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on June 22, 2021.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  284. ^Travers, Peter (January 15, 2009)."Notorious".Rolling Stone.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  285. ^"Shooting erupts at Notorious movie".Greensboro News & Record.January 16, 2009.Archivedfrom the original on October 5, 2021.RetrievedSeptember 12,2016.
  286. ^Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (April 17, 2023)."'Notorious' Actor Didn't Want Diddy Role Due To 'Too Much Heat'".HipHopDX.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  287. ^Ryzik, Melena (October 8, 2007)."Biggie Smalls".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on August 13, 2018.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  288. ^"Beanie Sigel Auditions for Role of Biggie Smalls in New Biopic".XXL Mag.October 3, 2007.Archivedfrom the original on January 18, 2008.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  289. ^"Sean Kingston: Big, But Not B.I.G."Vibe.August 30, 2007. Archived fromthe originalon November 5, 2007.RetrievedNovember 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.Archivedfrom the original on September 30, 2024.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  291. ^"Notorious (Music from and Inspired By the Original Motion Picture) by The Notorious B.I.G."Apple Music(US).RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  292. ^"18th Annual ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards presented in Los Angeles".ASCAP.June 27, 2005.Archivedfrom the original on July 31, 2021.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  293. ^"Notorious B.I.G. Honored by ASCAP on 20th Anniversary Year of His Death".Variety.June 25, 2017.Archivedfrom the original on June 3, 2023.RetrievedNovember 16,2024.
  294. ^"2020 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards".ASCAP.July 15, 2020.Archivedfrom the original on July 15, 2020.RetrievedNovember 17,2024.
  295. ^Ganz, Jami (March 9, 2017)."Diddy Pays Tribute to the Notorious B.I.G. 20 Years After His Death".Entertainment Weekly.RetrievedNovember 17,2024.
  296. ^Bristout, Ralph (September 13, 2024)."The Notorious B.I.G.'s 'Ready to Die' at 30: All 17 Songs Ranked".Billboard.Archivedfrom the original on September 27, 2024.RetrievedNovember 17,2024.
  297. ^"Winners Database".Billboard.RetrievedNovember 17,2024.
  298. ^Grove, Rashad D. (February 5, 2019)."10 Iconic Hip-Hop Artists Who've Never Won A Grammy".Billboard.Archivedfrom the original on January 28, 2023.RetrievedNovember 17,2024.
  299. ^Walker, Joe (May 24, 2022)."Diddy & Biggie Tried Ecstasy For First Time In 'Hypnotize' Video".HipHopDX.RetrievedNovember 17,2024.
  300. ^Eustice, Kyle (September 24, 2021)."Biggie 'Mo Money Mo Problems' Singer Kelly Price Found".HipHopDX.Archivedfrom the original on May 28, 2024.RetrievedNovember 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.RetrievedNovember 17,2024.
  302. ^"Jamiroquai tops MTV video noms".Variety.July 23, 1997.Archivedfrom the original on June 27, 2022.RetrievedNovember 17,2024.
  303. ^Elibert, Mark (August 26, 2019)."The 20 Best Hype Williams-Directed Music Videos".Billboard.Archivedfrom the original on March 8, 2024.RetrievedNovember 17,2024.
  304. ^Lynch, Joe (November 7, 2020)."Here's What Happened at the 2020 Rock Hall Virtual Induction Ceremony".Billboard.Archivedfrom the original on April 4, 2023.RetrievedNovember 17,2024.
  305. ^"Rap Song of the Year".Billboard.Vol. 108, no. 24. June 15, 1996.ISSN0006-2510.
  306. ^"Soul Train Awards".Billboard.Vol. 110, no. 11. March 14, 1996. p. 36.ISSN0006-2510.
  307. ^Denis, Kyle (November 23, 2023)."How Have Soul Train Album of the Year Winners Fared at the Grammys?".Billboard.RetrievedNovember 17,2024.
  308. ^"Soul Train Awards".Billboard.Vol. 110, no. 7. February 14, 1998. p. 19.ISSN0006-2510.
  309. ^abcSimmons, Nadirah (August 3, 2016)."Today In 1995: The 2nd Annual Source Awards Makes Hip Hop History".The Source.Archivedfrom the original on April 7, 2023.RetrievedNovember 17,2024.
  310. ^Findlay, Mitch (August 3, 2019)."The 1995 Source Awards: One Of Hip-Hop's Wildest, Most Legendary Nights".HotNewHipHop.Archivedfrom the original on September 9, 2024.RetrievedNovember 17,2024.

Bibliography

Wikimedia Commons has media related toThe Notorious B.I.G..
Wikiquote has quotations related toThe Notorious B.I.G..

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Notorious_B.I.G.&oldid=1260158909"