Gone too soon.. one of hip hop’s innovators a.k.a. Christopher Wallace.. a.k.a The Notorious B.I.G.. a.k.a Biggie.. a.k.a Biggie Smalls. March 9th, 1997 Biggie (age 24) lost his live by an unknown assailant in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles.
Like many iconic rappers Biggie rose from poverty to fame and a fat bank account. Raised in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. When he released his debut album Ready to Die in 1994, he became a central figure in the East Coast hip hop scene and increased New York’s visibility in the genre at a time when West Coast hip hop was dominant in the mainstream. Sadly enough Biggie was heavily involved in the growing East Coast/West Coast hip hop feud which took a grim turn after the 2Pac shooting in New York and his 2Pac’s death on September the 13th in 1996.
Needless to say that both rappers left us with lots of banging’ hits to keep us head bobbin’ and jumping.
Looking at Biggie’s discography and lyrics one thing pops out and that’s his lyrical story telling about the hustle and grind to get ahead. This transcends all ethnicity and background. Because to hustle and grind is what gets us ahead at school, at work, in the gym or on the field, hell even in politics. Gottaluvit!
Wanna here Biggie Smalls speak, check out MTV’s The Notorious B.I.G. Interviews & Exclusives.
Below some our favorite hits from Biggie.
REST IN PARADISE.. B.I.G. Baaaby.. baaabyy!!
The Notorious B.I.G. – “Juicy”
Craig Mack feat. Notorious B.I.G., LL Cool J – Flava In Ya Ear (Remix)
The Notorious B.I.G. – “Big Poppa”
The Notoroius B.I.G. – “Sky’s The Limit”
The Notorious B.I.G. – “Nasty Girl”
Junior M.A.F.I.A. Feat. The Notorious B.I.G. – Get Money