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The Notorious B.I.G.

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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.
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
  • Frank White
  • Big
  • Big Poppa
  • MC CWest
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Years active1992–1997
Spouse
​
​
(m.1994;sep.1996)​
[1]
PartnerCharli Baltimore(1995–1997)[a]
Children2, includingC. J. Wallace
AwardsFull list
Musical career
Genres
Labels
Formerly ofThe Commission

Christopher George Latore Wallace(May 21, 1972 – March 9, 1997), better known by his stage namesThe Notorious B.I.G.orBiggie Smalls,[2]was an American rapper. Rooted inEast Coast hip hopand particularlygangsta rap,he is widely considered to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. Wallace became known for his distinctive laid-back lyrical delivery, offsetting the lyrics' oftengrim content.

Born and raised inBrooklyn,New York City, Wallace signed withSean "Puffy" Combs' labelBad Boy Recordsas it launched in 1993, and gained exposure through features on several other artists' singles that year. His debut studio albumReady to Die(1994) was met with widespread critical acclaim and supported by his signature songs, "Juicy","Big Poppa",and"One More Chance".The album made him the central figure in East Coast hip hop, and restored New York's visibility at a time when theWest Coast hip hopscene was dominating the genre.[3]"Big Poppa" earned a nomination forBest Solo Rap Performanceat the38th Annual Grammy Awards,while Wallace himself won Rap Artist of the Year at the 1995BillboardMusic Awards.[4]That same year, he introduced and led his protégé groupJunior M.A.F.I.A.,which includedLil' Kim,to chart success with executive production on their debut album,Conspiracy(1995).

During 1995, while recording his second album, Wallace became ensnarled in the escalatingEast Coast–West Coast hip hop feud.FollowingTupac Shakur'smurderin adrive-by shootingin Las Vegas in September 1996, speculations of involvement in Shakur's murder by criminal elements orbiting the Bad Boy circle circulated as a result of Shakur's public feud with Wallace. On March 9, 1997, six months after Shakur's murder,Wallace was murderedby an unidentified assailant in a drive-by shooting while visiting Los Angeles. Wallace's second albumLife After Death,a double album, was released two weeks later. 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).[5]

With two more posthumous albums released, Wallace has certified sales of over 28 million copies in the United States,[6]including 21 million albums.[7]Rolling Stonehas called him the "greatest rapper that ever lived",[8]andBillboardnamed himthe greatest rapper of all timein 2016.[9]The Sourcemagazine named him the greatest rapper of all time in its 150th issue. In 2006,MTVranked him at No. 3 on their list ofThe Greatest MCs of All Time,calling him possibly "the most skillful ever on the mic".[10]In 2020, he was inducted into theRock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Life and career

1972–1991: Early life

Christopher George Latore Wallace was born at St. Mary's Hospital in the New York City borough ofBrooklynon May 21, 1972, 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.[11][12]His father left the family when Wallace was two years old, and his mother worked two jobs while raising him. Wallace grew up at 226 St. James Place in Brooklyn'sClinton Hill,[13]near the border withBedford-Stuyvesant.[11][14]Raised aJehovah's Witness,[15][16]Wallace attended St Peter Claver Church in the borough,[17]and excelled at Queen of All Saints Middle School, winning several awards as an English student. He was nicknamed "Big" because he was overweight by the age of 10.[18]During childhood, Wallace struggled withdepression,anxiety,andparanoia;such topics would become subject matter discussed in his lyrical content.[19]Wallace claimed to have begun dealing drugs at about age 12. His mother, often at work, first learned of this during his adulthood.[20]

He began rapping as a teenager, entertaining people on the streets, and performed with local groups, the Old Gold Brothers as well as the Techniques.[21]His earliest stage name was MC CWest.[22]He also received tutelage in jazz from saxophonistDonald Harrison,who lived nearby.[23]Wallace requested to transfer fromBishop Loughlin Memorial High SchoolinFort GreenetoGeorge Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High SchoolinDowntown Brooklyn,which future rappersJay-ZandBusta Rhymeswere also attending. According to his mother, Wallace was still a good student but developed a "smart-ass" attitude at the new school.[12]At age 17 in 1989, Wallace dropped out of high school and became more involved in crime. That same year in 1989, he was arrested on weapons charges in Brooklyn and sentenced to five years' probation. In 1990, he was arrested on a violation of his probation.[24]A year later, Wallace was arrested inNorth Carolinafor dealingcrack cocaine.He spent nine months in jail before making bail.[20]

1991–1994: Early career and first child

After release from jail, Wallace made ademo tape,Microphone Murderer,while calling himself Biggie Smalls, alluding both toCalvin Lockhart's character in the 1975 filmLet's Do It Againand to his own stature and obesity, 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) and 300 to 380 pounds (140 to 170 kg).[25]The tape was produced by his first DJ Kevin “DJ 50 Grand” Griffin;[26][27]50 Grand died in 2022.[27][26]Although Wallace reportedly lacked real ambition for the tape, local DJMister Cee,ofBig Daddy KaneandJuice Crewassociation, discovered and promoted it; thus, it was heard byThe Sourcerap magazine's editor in 1992.[24]

In March,The Sourcecolumn "Unsigned Hype", dedicated to airing promising rappers, featured Wallace.[28]He then spun the attention into a recording.[28]Upon hearing the demo tape,Sean "Puffy" Combs,still with theA&Rdepartment ofUptown Records,arranged to meet Wallace. Promptly signed to Uptown on July 14, 1992,[29]Wallace appeared on labelmatesHeavy D & the Boyz's 1993 song "A Buncha Niggas".[21][30]A year after Wallace's signing, Uptown fired Combs, who, a week later, launchedBad Boy Records.[31][32]

On August 8, 1993, Jan Jackson, Wallace's long-time girlfriend, gave birth to his first child, T'yanna,[32]although the couple had parted by then.[33]Himself a high-school dropout, Wallace promised his daughter "everything she wanted", reasoning that if only he had that in childhood, he would have graduated at the top of his class.[34]Wallace continued dealing drugs, but Combs discovered this, and obliged him to stop.[21]Later that year, Wallace gained exposure on a remix ofMary J. Blige's single "Real Love".Having found his monikerBiggie Smallsalready claimed, he took a new one, holding for good,The Notorious B.I.G.[35]

Around this time, Wallace became friends with fellow rapperTupac Shakur.Lil' Ceaserecalled the pair as close, often traveling together whenever they were not working. According to him, Wallace was a frequent guest at Shakur's home and they spent time together when Shakur was in California or Washington, D.C.[36]Yukmouth,an Oakland emcee, claimed that Wallace's style was inspired by Shakur.[37]

The "Real Love" remix single was followed by another remix of a Mary J. Blige song, "What's the 411?".Wallace's successes continued, if to a lesser extent, on remixes ofNeneh Cherry's song "Buddy X" and ofreggaeartistSuper Cat's song "Dolly My Baby",also featuring Combs, all in 1993. In April, Wallace's solo track"Party and Bullshit"was released on theWho's the Man?soundtrack.[38]In July 1994, he appeared alongsideLL Cool Jand Busta Rhymes on a remix of his own labelmateCraig Mack's "Flava in Ya Ear",the remix reaching No. 9 on theBillboardHot 100.[39]

1994:Ready to Dieand marriage to Faith Evans

On August 4, 1994, Wallace marriedR&BsingerFaith Evans,whom he had met eight days prior at a Bad Boy photoshoot.[40]Five days later, 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.[41]

Ready to Diewas released on September 13, 1994. It reached No. 13 on theBillboard200chart[42]and was eventually certified four timesplatinum.[43]The album shifted attention back toEast Coast hip hopat a time whenWest Coast hip hopdominated US charts.[44]It gained strong reviews and has received much praise in retrospect.[44][45]In addition to "Juicy", the record produced two hit singles: the platinum-selling "Big Poppa",which reached No. 1 on the U.S. rap chart,[46]and "One More Chance",which sold 1.1 million copies in 1995.[47][48]Busta Rhymesclaimed to have seen Wallace giving out free copies ofReady to Diefrom his home, which Rhymes reasoned as "his way of marketing himself".[49]

In 1994, Wallace and his business partner,Lance "Un" RiverafoundedUndeas Recordings.Rivera received a cash advance of US$200,000 fromAtlantic Recordsto launch the label. An eighth of the budget was allocated towards the debut studio album of Wallace's protégé group,Junior M.A.F.I.A.( "Junior Masters At Finding Intelligent Attitudes" ).[50][51][52]The group consisted of his friends from childhood and included rappers such asLil' KimandLil' Cease,who went on to have solo careers.[53]

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 thereby 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 ".[54]Wallace later met with O'Neal on Sunset Boulevard in 1997.[55]In 2015,Daz Dillinger,a frequent Shakur collaborator, said that he and Wallace were "cool", with Wallace traveling to meet him to smokecannabisand record two songs.[56]

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

Wallace worked with pop singerMichael Jacksonon the song "This Time Around",featured on Jackson's 1995 albumHIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I.[57]Lil' Ceaselater claimed that while Wallace met Jackson, he was forced to stay behind, with Wallace citing that he did not "trust Michael with kids" following the1993 child sexual abuse allegations against Jackson.[58]Engineer John Van Nest and producerDallas Austinrecalled the sessions differently, saying that Wallace was eager to meet Jackson and nearly burst into tears upon doing so.[59]

In the summer, Wallace metCharli Baltimoreand they became involved in a romantic relationship.[60]Several months into their relationship, she left him a voicemail of a rap verse that she had written and he began encouraging her to pursue a career in rap music.[61]

Wallace was booked to perform inSacramento.When his group arrived at the venue there weren't many people there, and when they started performing they were getting coins tossed at them. When they left they were held at gunpoint in the venue's parking lot, allegedly set up byE-40's goons, who were angry about an interview Wallace did with a Canadian magazine. When asked to rank a handful of artists on a scale from one to 10, Wallace gave E-40 a zero. One of Wallace's entourage said to get E-40 on the phone, Wallace explained how they had "got him drunk" and had got him "to say anything", E-40 told his men to stand down and safely escorted them to the airport.[62]

In August 1995, Junior M.A.F.I.A. released their debut albumConspiracy.The record wentgoldand its singles, "Player's Anthem"and"Get Money",both featuring Wallace, went gold and platinum. Wallace continued to work with R&B artists, collaborating with R&B groups112(on "Only You" ) andTotal(on "Can't You See" ), with both reaching the top 20 of the Hot 100. By the end of the year, Wallace was the top-selling male solo artist and rapper on the U.S. pop and R&B charts.[21]In July 1995, he appeared on the cover ofThe Sourcewith the caption "The King of New York Takes Over", a reference to his alias Frank White, based on a character from the 1990 filmKing of New York.[63][64]At theSourceAwards in August 1995, he was named Best New Artist (Solo), Lyricist of the Year, Live Performer of the Year, and his debut Album of the Year.[65]At theBillboard Awards,he was Rap Artist of the Year.[24]

In his year of success, Wallace became involved in arivalry between the East and West Coast hip hop sceneswith Shakur, now his former friend.[66]In an interview withVibein April 1995, while serving time inClinton Correctional Facility,Shakur accusedUptown Records' founderAndre Harrell,Sean Combs, and Wallace of having prior knowledge of a robbery that resulted in him being shot five times and losing thousands of dollars worth of jewelry on the night of November 30, 1994. Though Wallace and his entourage were in the sameManhattan-based recording studio at the time of the shooting, they denied the accusation.[67]

Wallace said: "It just happened to be a coincidence that he [Shakur] was in the studio. He just, he couldn't really say who really had something to do with it at the time. So he just kinda' leaned the blame on me."[68]In 2012, a man named Dexter Isaac, serving a life sentence for unrelated crimes, claimed that he attacked Shakur that night and that the robbery was orchestrated by entertainment industry executive and former drug trafficker,Jimmy Henchman.[69]

Later that year on October 4, 1995, Shakur signed toDeath Row Recordsand was released from prison a week later.[70]This made Bad Boy Records and Death Row business rivals, and thus intensified the quarrel.[71]

1996: More arrests, accusations regarding Shakur's death, car accident and second child

On March 23, 1996, Wallace was arrested outside a Manhattan nightclub for chasing and threatening to kill two fans seeking autographs, smashing the windows of their taxicab with a baseball bat, and punching one of them.[24]He pleaded guilty to second-degree harassment and was sentenced to 100 hours of community service. In mid-1996, he was arrested at his home inTeaneck, New Jersey,for drug and weapons possession charges.[24]

During the recording for his second album, Wallace was confronted by Shakur for the first time since "the rumors started" at theSoul Train Awardsand a gun was pulled.[72]

In June 1996, Shakur released "Hit 'Em Up",adiss trackin which he claimed to have had sex with Faith Evans, who was estranged from Wallace at the time, and that Wallace had copied his style and image. Wallace referenced the first claim on Jay-Z's "Brooklyn's Finest", in which he raps: "If Faye have twins, she'd probably have two 'Pacs. Get it? 2Pac's?" However, he did not directly respond to the track, stating in a 1997 radio interview that it was "not [his] style" to respond.[68]

On September 7, 1996, Shakurwas shot multiple timesin a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas and died six days later. Rumors of Wallace's involvement with Shakur's murder spread. In a 2002Los Angeles Timesseries titled "Who Killed Tupac Shakur?", based on police reports and multiple sources,Chuck Philipsreported that the shooting was carried out by a Compton gang, the Southside Crips, to avenge a beating by Shakur hours earlier, and that Wallace had paid for the gun.[73][74]

Los Angeles Timeseditor Mark Duvoisin wrote that "Philips' story has withstood all challenges to its accuracy,... [and] remains the definitive account of the Shakur slaying."[75]Wallace's family denied the report,[76]producing documents purporting to show that he was in New York and New Jersey at the time. However,The New York Timescalled 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 calledNasty Boyon the night Shakur was shot. They indicate that Wallacewrote half the session,wasin and out/sat aroundandlaid 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. "[77]

Evans remembered her husband calling her on the night of Shakur's death and crying from shock. She said: "I think it's fair to say he was probably afraid, given everything that was going on at that time and all the hype that was put on this so-called beef that he didn't really have in his heart against anyone." Wayne Barrow, Wallace's co-manager at the time, said Wallace was recording the track "Nasty Boy" the night Shakur was shot.[78]Shortly after Shakur's death, he met withSnoop Dogg,who claimed that Wallace declared he never hated Shakur.[79]

Two days after the death of Shakur, Wallace and Lil' Cease were arrested for smoking marijuana in public and had their car repossessed.[80]The next day, the dealership chose aChevrolet Luminarental SUV for them as a substitute, despite Lil' Cease's objections. The vehicle had brake problems but Wallace dismissed them.[81]The car collided with a rail inNew Jersey,shattering Wallace's left leg, Lil' Cease's jaw and leaving Charli Baltimore with numerous injuries.[82]

Wallace spent months in a hospital following the accident. He was temporarily confined to a wheelchair,[21]forced to use a cane,[67]and had to complete physiotherapy. Despite his hospitalization, he continued to work on the album. The accident was referred to in the lyrics of "Long Kiss Goodnight": "Ya still tickle me, I used to be as strong as Ripple be / Til Lil' Cease crippled me."[83]

On October 29, 1996, Evans gave birth to Wallace's son,Christopher "C.J." Wallace Jr.[32]The following month, Junior M.A.F.I.A. memberLil' Kimreleased her debut album,Hard Core,under Wallace's direction while the two were having a "love affair".[21]Lil' Kim recalled being Wallace's "biggest fan" and "his pride and joy".[84]In a 2012 interview, Lil' Kim said Wallace had prevented her from making a remix of theJodecisingle "Love U 4 Life"by locking her in a room. According to her, Wallace said that she was not" gonna go do no song with them ",[85]likely because of the group's affiliation with Tupac andDeath Row Records.

Wallace in theKing of New Yorkphotograph byBarron Claiborne,taken three days before his death in March, 1997

1997:Life After Death

In January 1997, Wallace was ordered to pay US$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.[86]He facedcriminal assaultcharges for the incident, which remains unresolved, but all robbery charges were dropped.[24]Following the events, Wallace spoke of a desire to focus on his "peace of mind" and his family and friends.[87]

On February 16, 1997, Wallace traveled to California to promote his albumLife After Deathand to record a music video for its lead single, "Hypnotize".[88]That month Wallace was involved in a domestic dispute with girlfriend Charli Baltimore at the Four Seasons hotel, over pictures of Wallace and other girls. They were kicked out of the hotel.[89]

Murder

Main article:Murder of the Notorious B.I.G.

On March 8, 1997, Wallace attended aSoul Train Awardsafter-party hosted byVibeandQwest Recordsat thePetersen Automotive Museumin Los Angeles, California.[67]Guests included Evans,Aaliyahand members of theBloodsandCripsgangs.[18]Later that night at 12:30 a.m.PST,after the fire department closed the party early due to overcrowding, Wallace left with his entourage in twoGMC Suburbansto return to his hotel.[90]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 vehicle with two bodyguards. The two trucks were trailed by aChevrolet Blazercarrying Bad Boy director of security Paul Offord.[18][91]

By 12:45 a.m., the streets were crowded with people leaving the party. Wallace's SUV stopped at a red light 50 yards (46 m) from the Petersen Automotive Museum, and a blackChevrolet Impalapulled up alongside it. The Impala's driver, an unidentified African-American man dressed in a blue suit and bow tie, rolled down his window, drew a 9 mm blue-steel pistol, and fired at Wallace's car. Four bullets hit Wallace, and his entourage subsequently rushed him toCedars-Sinai Medical Center,where doctors performed an emergencythoracotomy,but he was pronounced dead at 1:15 a.m.[18]He was 24 years old. Hisautopsy,which was released 15 years after his death, showed that only the final shot was fatal; it entered through his right hip and struck his colon, liver, heart, and left lung before stopping in his left shoulder.[92]

Wallace's funeral was held at theFrank E. Campbell Funeral ChapelinManhattanon March 18. There were around 350 mourners at the funeral, includingLil' Cease,Queen Latifah,Mase,Faith Evans,SWV,Jay-Z,Damon Dash,DJ Premier,Charli Baltimore,Da Brat,Flavor Flav,Mary J. Blige,Lil' Kim,Run-D.M.C.,DJ Kool Herc,Treach,Busta Rhymes,Salt-N-Pepa,DJ Spinderella,Foxy Brown,andSister Souljah.David DinkinsandClive Davisalso attended the funeral.[93]After the funeral, his body was cremated and the ashes were given to his family.[94]

Posthumous releases

Sixteen days after his death, Wallace's double-disc second album was released as planned. Originally titledLife After Death...'Til Death Do Us Partand later shortened toLife After Death,[95]the album hit No. 1 on theBillboard200charts after making a premature appearance at No. 176 due to street-date violations. The record album featured a much wider range of guests and producers than its predecessor.[96]It gained strong reviews and in 2000 was certifiedDiamondby theRIAA.

Its lead single, "Hypnotize",was the last music video recording in which Wallace would participate. His biggest chart success was with its follow-up"Mo Money Mo Problems",featuring Sean Combs (under the rap alias"Puff Daddy") andMase.Both singles reached No. 1 on the Hot 100, making Wallace the first artist to achieve this feat posthumously.[21]The third single, "Sky's the Limit",featuring the band 112, was noted for its use of children in the music video, directed bySpike Jonze,who were used to portray Wallace and his contemporaries, including Combs, Lil' Kim, and Busta Rhymes. Wallace was named Artist of the Year and "Hypnotize" Single of the Year bySpinmagazine in December 1997.[97]

In mid-1997, Combs released his debut album,No Way Out,which featured Wallace on five songs, notably on the fifth single "Victory".The most prominent single from the record album was"I'll Be Missing You",featuring Combs, Faith Evans and 112, which was dedicated to Wallace's memory. At the 1998Grammy Awards,Life After Deathand its first two singles received nominations in the rap category. The album award was won by Combs'sNo Way Outand "I'll Be Missing You" won the award in the category of Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in which "Mo Money Mo Problems" was nominated.[98]

In 1996, Wallace started putting together a hip hopsupergroup,The commission, which consisted of himself, Jay-Z,Lil' Cease,Combs, andCharli Baltimore.The commission was mentioned by Wallace in the lyrics of "What's Beef" onLife After Deathand "Victory"fromNo Way Out,but a Commission album was never completed. A track onDuets: The Final Chapter,"Whatchu Want (The Commission)", featuring Jay-Z, was based on the group.

In December 1999, Bad Boy releasedBorn Again.The album consisted of previously unreleased material mixed with new guest appearances, including many artists Wallace had never collaborated with in his lifetime. It gained some positive reviews, but received criticism for its unlikely pairings;The Sourcedescribing it as "compiling some of the most awkward collaborations of his career".[99]Nevertheless, the album sold 2 million copies. Wallace also appeared on Michael Jackson's 2001 album,Invincible.[100][101]

Over the course of time, his vocals were heard on hit songs such as "Foolish"and" Realest Niggas "byAshantiin 2002, and the song "Runnin' (Dying to Live)"with Shakur the following year. In 2005,Duets: The Final Chaptercontinued the pattern started onBorn Again,which was criticized for the lack of significant vocals by Wallace on some of its songs.[100][101]Its lead single "Nasty Girl"became Wallace's first UK No. 1 single. Combs and Voletta Wallace have stated the album will be the last release primarily featuring new material.[102]

A duet album,The King & I,featuring Evans and Notorious B.I.G., was released on May 19, 2017, which largely contained previously unreleased music.[103]

Musical style

Vocals

"Only You (Remix)"
Wallace, accompanied by ad libs fromSean "Puff Daddy" Combs,usesonomatopoeicvocablesand multi-syllabic rhymes on his 1996 collaboration withR&Bgroup112.
"Niggas Bleed"
Wallace tells vivid stories about his everyday life as a criminal inBrooklyn(fromLife After Death).
Problems playing these files? Seemedia help.

Wallace mostly rapped in a deep tone described byRolling Stoneas a "thick, jaunty grumble",[104]which went even deeper onLife After Death.[105]He was often accompanied on songs withad libsfromSean "Puffy" Combs.InThe Source's"Unsigned Hype" column, his style was described as "cool, nasal, and filtered, to bless his own material".[106]AllMusic described Wallace as having "a talent for piling multiple rhymes on top of one another in quick succession".[46]

Timemagazine wrote that he rapped with an ability to "makemulti-syllabic rhymessound smooth ",[45]while Krims described his rhythmic style as "effusive".[107]Before starting a verse, Wallace sometimes usedonomatopoeicvocablesto warm up his voice, for example "uhhh" at the beginning of "Hypnotize" and "Big Poppa", and "what" after certain rhymes in songs such as "My Downfall".[108]

LateefofLatyrxnotes that Wallace had "intense and complex flows".[109]Fredro StarrofOnyxsaid that he was "a master of the flow",[110]andBishop Lamontstated that he mastered "all the hemispheres of the music".[111]Wallace also often used the single-linerhyme schemeto add variety and interest to his flow.[109]Big Daddy Kanesuggested that Wallace did not need a large vocabulary to impress listeners, stating that he "just put his words together a slick way and it worked real good for him".[112]

Wallace was known to compose lyrics in his head rather than write them down on paper, in a similar way toJay-Z.[113][114]He would occasionally vary from his usual style. On "Playa Hater", he sang in a slowfalsetto.[115]On "Notorious Thugs",his collaboration withBone Thugs-n-Harmony,he modified his style to match the rapid rhyme flow of the group.

Themes and lyrics

Wallace's lyrical topics and themes includedmafiosotales ( "Niggas Bleed" ), his drug-dealing past ( "Ten Crack Commandments"), materialistic bragging ("Hypnotize"), humor ("Just Playing (Dreams)"),[116]and romance ( "Me & My Bitch" ).[116]In 2004,Rolling Stonenamed him as "one of the few young male songwriters in any pop style writing credible love songs".[105]In the bookHow to Rap,rapperGuerilla Blackdescribed how Wallace was able to both "glorify the upper echelon"[117]and "[make] you feel his struggle".[118]

The New York TimesjournalistTouréwrote in 1994 that Wallace's lyrics "[mixed] autobiographical details about crime and violence with emotional honesty".[20]Marriott ofThe New York Timeswrote in 1997 that Wallace's lyrics were not strictly autobiographical and that he "had a knack for exaggeration that increased sales".[24]Wallace wrote that his debut album was "a big pie, with each slice indicating a different point in [his] life involving bitches and niggaz... from the beginning to the end".[119]

Rolling StonedescribedReady to Dieas a contrast of "bleak" street visions and being "full of high-spirited fun, bringing the pleasure principle back to hip-hop".[105]AllMusicwrote of "a sense of doom" in some of his songs, and theNew York Timesnoted some songs being "laced with paranoia".[46][120]Wallace described himself as feeling "broke and depressed" when he made his debut.[120]The final song on Wallace's debut album, "Suicidal Thoughts", featured his "character" contemplating suicide and concluded with him doing it.[105]

OnLife After Death,Wallace's lyrics went "deeper".[105]Krims explained how upbeat, dance-oriented tracks (which featured less heavily on his debut) alternate with "reality rap"songs on the record and suggested that he was" going pimp "through some of the lyrical topics of the former.[107]XXLmagazine wrote that Wallace "revamped his image" through the portrayal of himself between the albums, going from "mid-level hustler" on his debut to "drug lord"on his second album.[121]

AllMusic wrote that the success ofReady to Dieis "mostly due to Wallace's skill as a storyteller".[46]In 1994,Rolling Stonedescribed his ability in this technique as painting "a sonic picture so vibrant that you're transported right to the scene".[44]OnLife After Death,he notably demonstrated this skill on the song "I Got a Story to Tell", creating a story as a rap for the first half of the song and then retelling the same story "for his boys" in conversation form.[115]

Legacy

Graffiti of the Notorious B.I.G.
Mural of the Notorious B.I.G. at5 Pointz
A mural inFort Greene, Brooklyn
A stencil of the Notorious B.I.G. inAsakusa, Tokyo

Considered one of the greatest rappers of all time, Wallace was described byAllMusicas "the savior of East Coast hip-hop".[21]The Sourcemagazine named him the greatest rapper of all time in its 150th issue in 2002.[122][123]In 2003, whenXXLmagazine asked several hip hop artists to list their five favoriteMCs,Wallace appeared on more rappers' lists than anyone else. In 2006,MTVranked him at No. 3 on their list ofThe Greatest MCs of All Time,calling him possibly "the most skillful ever on the mic".[10]

Editors ofAbout.comranked him at No. 3 on their list of theTop 50 MCs of Our Time (1987–2007).[124]In 2012,The Sourceranked him No. 3 on their list of theTop 50 Lyrical Leadersof all time.[125]Rolling Stonehas referred to him as the "greatest rapper that ever lived".[126]In 2015,Billboardnamed Wallace as the greatest rapper of all time.[9]

Wallace's lyrics have been sampled and quoted by a variety of artists, includingJay-Z,50 Cent,Alicia Keys,Fat Joe,Nelly,Ja Rule,Eminem,Lil Wayne,Game,Clinton Sparks,Michael Jackson,andUsher.At the 2005MTV Video Music Awards,Combs andSnoop Doggpaid tribute to Wallace by hiring an orchestra to play while the vocals from "Juicy"and" Warning "played on the arena speakers.[127]At the 2005VH1Hip Hop Honors, a tribute to Wallace headlined the show.[128]

Wallace had begun to promote a clothing line called Brooklyn Mint, which was to produce plus-sized clothing, but it fell dormant after he died. In 2004, his managers Mark Pitts and Wayne Barrow launched the clothing line with help from Jay-Z, selling T-shirts with images of Wallace on them. A portion of the proceeds go to the Christopher Wallace Foundation and to Jay-Z's Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation.[129]In 2005, Voletta Wallace hired branding and licensing agency Wicked Cow Entertainment to guide the estate's licensing efforts.[130]Wallace-branded products on the market include action figures, blankets, and cell phone content.[131]

The Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation holds an annual black-tie dinner ( "B.I.G. Night Out" ) to raise funds for children's school equipment and to honor Wallace's memory. For this particular event, because it is a children's schools' charity, "B.I.G." is also said to stand for "Books Instead of Guns".[132]

There is a large portrait mural of Wallace asMao Zedongon Fulton Street in Brooklyn a half-mile west from Wallace's old block.[133]A fan petitioned to have the corner of Fulton Street and St. James Place, near Wallace's childhood home renamed in his honor, garnering support from local businesses and attracting more than 560 signatures.[133]

A large portrait of Wallace features prominently in theNetflixseriesLuke Cage,due to the fact that he served as muse for the creation of theMarvel Cinematic Universe's version ofMarvel ComicscharacterCornell "Cottonmouth" Stokes.

In 2018, a movie chronicling LAPD detective Russell Poole's investigation of Wallace's murder was released.City of Liesis based on journalistRandall Sullivan'sbookLAbrynithand explores the corruption and cover-ups within the LAPD that surround Wallace's case. Voletta Wallace believed that Poole was honest and wasn't given the chance to do his job. She supported the movie by appearing as herself.[134]

In August 2020, Wallace's son, C.J., released ahouseremix of his father's hit "Big Poppa".[135]

A March 2021 Netflix documentaryBiggie: I Got a Story to Tell,executive-produced by Voletta Wallace and Combs, focuses on B.I.G.'s life before he rose to fame as "The King of New York", and features "unprecedented access granted by the Wallace estate".[136]

Biopic

Notoriousis a 2009 biographical film about Wallace and his life that stars rapperJamal Woolardas Wallace. The film was directed byGeorge Tillman Jr.and distributed byFox Searchlight Pictures.Producers included Sean Combs, Wallace's former managers Wayne Barrow and Mark Pitts, as well as Voletta Wallace.[137]On January 16, 2009, the movie's debut at the Grand 18 theater in Greensboro, North Carolina was postponed after a man was shot in the parking lot before the show.[138]The film received mixed reviews and grossed over $44 million worldwide.[139][140]

In early October 2007, open casting calls for the role of Wallace began.[141]Actors, rappers and unknowns all tried out.Beanie Sigelauditioned[142]for the role, but was not picked.Sean Kingstonclaimed that he would play the role of Wallace, but producers denied it.[143]Eventually, it was announced that rapper Jamal Woolard was chosen to play Wallace[144]while Wallace's son, Christopher Wallace Jr. was cast to play Wallace as a child.[145]

Other cast members includeAngela Bassettas Voletta Wallace,Derek LukeasSean Combs,Antonique SmithasFaith Evans,Naturi NaughtonasLil' Kim,andAnthony MackieasTupac Shakur.[146]Bad Boy also releaseda soundtrack album to the filmon January 13, 2009; it contains many of Wallace's hit singles, including "Hypnotize" and "Juicy", as well as rarities.[147]

Discography

Main article:The Notorious B.I.G. discography
Studio albums
Collaboration album
Posthumous collaboration album

Media

Filmography

Television appearances

Awards and nominations

Award Year of ceremony Nominee/work Category Result
The Source Hip-Hop Music Awards[148] 1995 The Notorious B.I.G. New Artist of the Year, Solo Won
The Notorious B.I.G. Lyricist of the Year Won
The Notorious B.I.G. Live Performer of the Year Won
Ready To Die Album of the Year Won
BillboardMusic Awards[149][150] 1995 The Notorious B.I.G. Rap Artist of the Year Won
"One More Chance/Stay with Me (Remix)"(withFaith Evans) Rap Single of the Year Won
1997 Life After Death R&B Album Won
Grammy Awards[151][152] 1996 "Big Poppa" Best Rap Solo Performance Nominated
1998 "Hypnotize" Best Rap Solo Performance Nominated
"Mo Money Mo Problems"(withMaseandPuff Daddy) Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group Nominated
Life After Death Best Rap Album Nominated
MTV Video Music Awards[153][154] 1997 "Hypnotize" Best Rap Video Won
1998 "Mo Money Mo Problems"(with Mase and Puff Daddy) Best Rap Video Nominated
Soul Train Music Awards[155][156] 1996 "One More Chance/Stay With Me (Remix)"(withFaith Evans) R&B/Soul or Rap Song of the Year Won
1998 Life After Death Best R&B/Soul Album – Male Won
Life After Death R&B/Soul or Rap Album of the Year Nominated
"Mo Money Mo Problems"(with Mase and Puff Daddy) Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video Nominated
Black Reel Awards[157] 2004 "Runnin' (Dying to Live)"(with Tupac Shakur) Best Original or Adapted Song Nominated
ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards[158][159][160] 2005 "Runnin' (Dying to Live)"(with Tupac Shakur) Top Soundtrack Song of the Year Won
2017 The Notorious B.I.G. ASCAP Founders Award Won
2020 "Sicko Mode" Winning Rap and R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Won
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame[161] 2020 The Notorious B.I.G. Performers Won

See also

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Notes

  1. ^UntilWallace's death.

Further reading

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Notorious_B.I.G.&oldid=1235169480"