The Notorious B.I.G.
B.I.G.'s 1999 album, Born Again
Origin	Brooklyn, New York
Years active	1993–1997 (rapper) 1997–present (posthumous career)
Genre(s)	East Coast hip hop, Hardcore rap, Club Music, Pop-Rap
Label(s)	Bad Boy/Arista

Christopher George Latore Wallace (May 21, 1972 – March 9, 1997), also known as Biggie Smalls (after a stylish gangster in 1975's Let's Do it Again) and Frank White (from the film King of New York), but best known as The Notorious B.I.G. (Business Instead of Game and, since his death, Books Instead of Guns), was a popular rapper of the mid-1990s and was crowned the King of New York. Download high resolution version (1382x1036, 62 KB)Biggie, by Chris Theobald File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... Born Again is the name a posthumous album by The Notorious B.I.G.. It was released on December 7, 1999. ... For other meanings, see Brooklyn (disambiguation). ... 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ... 1997 (MCMXCVII in Roman) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII in Roman) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A music genre is a category (or genre) of pieces of music that share a certain style or basic musical language (van der Merwe 1989, p. ... East Coast hip hop (sometimes also referred to as New York hip hop) is a style of hip hop music that originated in New York City during the late-1970s. ... Hardcore hip hop is a form of hip hop music that has confrontational, often violent lyrics, and generally sparse, gritty urban beats. ... Baltimore Club, also called Baltimore Breaks, Baltimore house, and Dew Doo Beat, is a genre of House and Dance music. ... A record label is a brand created by companies that specialize in producing, manufacturing, distributing and promoting audio and sometimes video recordings (especially music videos), on various formats including compact discs, LPs, DVD-Audio, SACDs, and cassettes. ... Bad Boy Records is an East Coast hip hop record label founded by producer/rapper Sean Diddy Combs in 1993 after his power climb from a no-pay internship to A&R executive at Uptown Records was terminated by the then CEO Andre Harrell. ... Arista Records was founded in 1975 by Clive Davis, and named after his secondary school honor society. ... May 21 is the 141st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (142nd in leap years). ... 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1972 calendar). ... March 9 is the 68th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (69th in Leap years). ... 1997 (MCMXCVII in Roman) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article or section contains information that has not been verified and thus might not be reliable. ... Lets Do it Again is a 1953 comedy set in 1920s Montreal. ... King of New York is an ultraviolent 1990 motion picture depicting Frank White, a recently-released drug lord who, in a modern-day retelling of the Robin Hood legend, returns to New York City to retake control of the illegal drug trade and use the profits to fight poverty. ... Rapping is one of the elements of hip hop and the distinguishing feature of hip hop music; it is a form of rhyming lyrics spoken rhythmically over musical instruments, with a musical backdrop of sampling, scratching and mixing by DJs. ...

His career was overshadowed by the Bad Boy/Death Row Records feud during his life, but following his untimely death in 1997, The Notorious B.I.G. has been celebrated as a hip hop legend. He is remembered for his storytelling ability, talented freestyling ability, and his easy to understand yet complex flow. He is widely regarded as being one of the greatest rappers of all time alongside Tupac Shakur. Bad Boy Records is an East Coast hip hop record label founded by producer/rapper Sean Diddy Combs in 1993 after his power climb from a no-pay internship to A&R executive at Uptown Records was terminated by the then CEO Andre Harrell. ... Death Row Records Logo. ... Death is the cessation of physical life in a living organism, or the state of the organism after that event. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII in Roman) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Hip hop music (also referred to as rap or rap music) is a style of popular music. ... Tupac Amaru Shakur (June 16, 1971 – September 13, 1996) was an American hip hop artist, poet and actor. ...

Childhood and drug career

The 6 ft 3 in., 300 pound (136 kg) rapper, was born and raised in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York City. B.I.G.'s Jamaican-born mother Voletta Wallace, a preschool teacher, raised him single handedly; his father George Latore, who was a small-time Jamaican politician, abandoned him and his mother when he was two years old. Despite these circumstances, Voletta claimed that Christopher lived a comfortable life. He would later profess otherwise on songs such as "Juicy". As an honor-roll student, he dropped out of school at 17 to work as a small-time crack cocaine dealer in his hometown. He would later traffic the drug into Virginia where it could be sold at a higher price. Even as a drug dealer, young Wallace was known for his charisma. He rapped as a hobby and was soon discovered by DJ Mister Cee (Big Daddy Kane's former DJ), with whom he released his demo tape. Bedford-Stuyvesant (aka Bed-Stuy) is a neighborhood in central Brooklyn, New York City. ... Main article: New York City A map of New York City, highlighting Brooklyn. ... Nickname: The Big Apple Official website: City of New York Government Counties (Boroughs) Bronx (The Bronx) New York (Manhattan) Queens (Queens) Kings (Brooklyn) Richmond (Staten Island) Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) Geographical characteristics Area Total 468. ... Big Daddy Kane Big Daddy Kane (born Antonio Hardy, 10 September 1968) is a rapper from Brooklyn, New York. ...

Rap career

The demo tape made by Biggie and Mister Cee found its way into the hands of then Uptown Records employee Sean "Puffy" Combs, who fell in love with the rapper and quickly arranged for a meeting with Biggie and Mister Cee. Combs and Wallace became instant friends, and their first appearance together was on the 1992 reggae song "Dolly My Baby" by Supercat. Sean John Combs (born November 4, 1969 aka P. Diddy, Puff Daddy, Sean Puffy Combs) is an African-American record producer, CEO, and rapper. ... 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... Reggae is a music genre developed in Jamaica. ...

Biggie first gained notice with "Party and Bullshit," his first single. His second mainstream appearance was on the remix to Mary J. Blige's smash hit "Real Love". He appeared on "One Million Strong" on a song called "RUNNIN'" with 2Pac & Dramacydal. He also made an appearance on a Trapp album called "Stop The Gunfight" on a track called "Be The Realist" with 2Pac & Trapp. This album also contained a remix of "RUNNIN'" called "Stop The Gunfight". All of these guest appearances built a sizeable buzz around Biggie's name leading up to his solo debut. Mary Jane Blige (born January 11, 1971) is a three-time Grammy Award-winning American R&B/Hip-Hop Soul singer, songwriter and producer. ...

In 1994 he released "Juicy", his second (yet first mainstream) single. He also released Ready to Die, his debut album. Ready to Die is regarded as one of hip-hop's all-time classic albums, and is credited with revitalizing East Coast hip hop. The album features one of rap's most famous "playa anthems", the song "Big Poppa", which samples R&B singers, the Isley Brothers. On the track "Everyday Struggle", Biggie's album drew critical acclaim for its vivid story-telling and razor-sharp lyricism, such as "They don't know about the stress filled day/Baby on the way, mad bills to pay/That's why you drink Tanqueray/So you can reminisce and wish/You wasn't living so devilish." Another standout track is "Warning," wherein Biggie once again displays his story-telling ability. The album is considered by many to be one of the best and most hardcore hip-hop albums of all time. Ready to Die is a gangsta rap album by East Coast hip hop artist Notorious B.I.G., released on September 13, 1994 (see 1994 in music). ... East Coast hip hop (sometimes also referred to as New York hip hop) is a style of hip hop music that originated in New York City during the late-1970s. ...

In 1995, Biggie's clique Junior M.A.F.I.A. (Junior Masters At Finding Intelligent Attitudes) released the album Conspiracy. That same year saw Biggie introduce to the mainstream his crewmates Lil' Kim and Lil' Cease. That same year, B.I.G.'s single "One More Chance" debuted at #5 on the Pop Charts, at the time, tying Scream/Childhood by Michael Jackson as the highest debut single in music history, although this record has since been surpased by Michael Jackson's You Are Not Alone which debuted at number one. "One More Chance," which sampled the R&B song "Stay With Me," was a remix of the song by the same name that originally appeared on Ready to Die. "One More Chance" was also Biggie's highest selling single, as the single alone was certified Platinum. Kimberly Denise Jones (born July 11, 1975), also known as Lil Kim and the Queen Bee, is an American harcore rap artist, known for sexually explicit lyrics and boundary-pushing attire. ... For other people with the same name, see Michael Jackson (disambiguation) Michael Joseph Jackson (born August 29, 1958), also known as the King of Pop and, derogatively as Wacko Jacko, is an American musician whose successful music career and controversial personal life have been at the forefront of pop culture... For other people with the same name, see Michael Jackson (disambiguation) Michael Joseph Jackson (born August 29, 1958), also known as the King of Pop and, derogatively as Wacko Jacko, is an American musician whose successful music career and controversial personal life have been at the forefront of pop culture... You Are Not Alone is a 1995 hit single for Michael Jackson, taken from his album HIStory. ... General Name, Symbol, Number platinum, Pt, 78 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 10, 6, d Appearance grayish white Atomic mass 195. ...

By the end of 1995, The Notorious B.I.G. had become one of the most famous and popular rappers in the world. He was named Lyricist Of The Year by The Source, and many dubbed him the "King Of New York" (a play on his "Frank White" nickname, which stems from the movie with the same name). The Source Magazine The Source is a U.S., monthly full-color magazine covering hip-hop music, politics, and culture. ... King of New York is an ultraviolent 1990 motion picture depicting Frank White, a recently-released drug lord who, in a modern-day retelling of the Robin Hood legend, returns to New York City to retake control of the illegal drug trade and use the profits to fight poverty. ...

East Coast/West Coast feud and death

Although Ready to Die brought massive fame to Biggie, he is most famed for his alleged involvement in rap's most infamous feud between the East and West Coast scenes. Before Ready to Die was released, Biggie began to associate with rap superstar Tupac Shakur, a New York native who moved to Baltimore and later Los Angeles, California. The two recorded a number of songs together, and Biggie even performed alongside Tupac in a now-famous Madison Square Garden freestyle in 1994. However, their friendship ended when Shakur was shot in November of 1994 and suspected Biggie and Puff Daddy of culpability. Shakur subsequently joined Death Row Records after his release from prison in late 1995. Death Row Records and Bad Boy Entertainment were the two most successful labels of the 1990's, and with the two biggest stars in rap now associated with different labels, the feud escalated. When Tupac was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas, where he had been watching a Mike Tyson boxing match, rumors of Biggie's possible involvement in the murder cropped up almost immediately. Biggie denied the allegations. Also around this time, Biggie was involved in a car accident that shattered his leg and would force him to use a cane for the rest of his life. Ready to Die is a gangsta rap album by East Coast hip hop artist Notorious B.I.G., released on September 13, 1994 (see 1994 in music). ... Feuds and rivalries have always existed in hip hop, which arose in 1970s United States. ... Tupac Amaru Shakur (June 16, 1971 – September 13, 1996) was an American hip hop artist, poet and actor. ... This article is about the largest city in California. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 3rd 410,000 km² 402. ... Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG, has been the name of four arenas in New York City, United States. ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International year of the Family. ... Sean John Combs (born November 4, 1969 aka P. Diddy, Puff Daddy, Sean Puffy Combs) is an American record producer and CEO and founder of Bad Boy Entertainment, one of the driving forces in hip hop in the mid to late 1990s. ... Death Row Records Logo. ... This article is about the city of Las Vegas in Nevada. ... Michael Gerard Tyson, (born June 30, 1966, Brooklyn, New York, USA) is a former American professional boxer and World Heavyweight Champion, and is considered by many to be one of the greatest and most feared heavyweight boxers of all time. ... A cane is a long, straight wooden stick, generally of bamboo, Malacca (rattan), or some similar plant, mainly used as a support, such as a walking stick or as an instrument of punishment. ...

On March 9, 1997, the events came full circle when Biggie was shot and killed in Los Angeles, where he had been attending a party by VIBE Magazine near the Peterson Automotive Museum. Neither murder has been conclusively solved, though theories abound as to the motives and identities of the murderers. Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight and the Mob Piru Bloods gang with whom he associated are among the prime suspects for involvement. In his book, LAbyrinth, LAPD officer Randall Sullivan probes the circumstances and figures involved in the shootings. March 9 is the 68th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (69th in Leap years). ... 1997 (MCMXCVII in Roman) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Janet Jackson on the cover of Vibe in 1998. ... Suge Knight Marion Knight, a. ... The red bandanas worn by most blood gangs. ...

Additionally, Director Nick Broomfield and co-producer Dmitri Leybman have released an investigative documentary called Biggie & Tupac which implicates the LAPD and Suge Knight. This theory seems most credible being for two reasons. The first is that the LAPD's elite robbery and homicide unit didn't begin to investigate Wallace's murder until a month after his shooting and the job was given to a less adequate division of LAPD investigators. This was one of the first celebrity murders that were not immediately handled by the LAPD's elite robbery and homicide unit which makes the LAPD seem suspicious in relation to their role in Wallace's murder. The second reason is that several prison inmates who were once members of the Mob Piru Bloods have come forward and said that they know for a fact that Suge Knight ordered Wallace's murder due to their own personal connections. Nick Broomfield with his famous sound boom and half-on headphones. ... Biggie & Tupac is a feature-length documentary film about Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur, made by Nick Broomfield. ...

There are many theories as to who is responsible for Wallace's murder. Some believe that Sean Combs may have ordered it being that rappers are more profitable while dead than they are while alive being that dead rappers don't have to be paid. Others believe that the Crip gang may have shot Wallace in retalliation for Wallace not paying for the security services they provided at a previous party. There are many other theories ranging in credibility as well.

The Los Angeles Times ran an almost universally discredited article entitled "Who Shot Tupac Shakur?" by reporter Chuck Phillips, which concludes that Biggie Smalls was ultimately behind the Las Vegas shooting of Tupac. Evidence to the contrary, most notably a dated and timed excerpt from a recording that Biggie made in a studio in New York when he was supposedly providing the murder weapon to hitmen in Las Vegas has since surfaced. The fact that the article claims that Biggie checked in and out of a hotel without being noticed by a single individual, despite being a 6'3", 300 pound national celebrity also damages the credibility of these articles. However, these theories are mere speculation. While many contain ideas that most people would think true, the truth is that no one really knows the events that conspired to bring about the untimely death of one of, if not the best hip hop artists in history. The Los Angeles Times (also known as the LA Times) is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California and distributed throughout the western United States. ... This article is about the city of Las Vegas in Nevada. ...

Posthumous career

Life After Death, Biggie's second album, debuted at #1 on the charts. The album was released only two weeks after Biggie's murder. Its lead single was "Hypnotize", which was also the last video Biggie would take part in. Life After Death hit number one on the Billboard charts and spawned several hit singles in the United States. The album sold 10 million copies (worldwide), and, as of 2005, is one of the best selling hip-hop album of all time. Biggie's biggest chart hit was with the song "Mo' Money, Mo' Problems," an upbeat number featuring rappers Mase and Puff Daddy, and sampling the disco song "I'm Coming Out" by Diana Ross for the beat. The video is noted for having started the "Shiny Suit" era in hip hop. The last video single from Life After Death was "Sky's The Limit" featuring 112. The video for this song, directed by Spike Jonze, was noted for the use of children portraying a day in the life of Biggie. Life After Death is the second album by East Coast rapper Notorious B.I.G. (Biggie Smalls), released on March 25, 1997 (see 1997 in music). ... 2005 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Ma$e Ma$e (born Mason Durrell Betha on August 27, 1978 in Jacksonville, Florida) is an American rapper, best known as a successful artist on Sean Combs (Diddy) hip hop label Bad Boy Records during the late 1990s. ... Sean John Combs (born November 4, 1969 aka P. Diddy, Puff Daddy, Sean Puffy Combs) is an American record producer and CEO and founder of Bad Boy Entertainment, one of the driving forces in hip hop in the mid to late 1990s. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... This article is about the American musician. ... 112 (pronounced One-TWELVE) is an American R&B quartet from Atlanta, Georgia, made up of members Daron Tavaris Jones, Michael Marcel Keith (aka Mike), Quinnes Daymond Parker (aka Q), and Marvin Eugene Scandrick, III (aka Slim). They are best known for hit singles such as Anywhere and Dance With... Spike Jonze with the Silver Bear award for directing the movie Adaptation at the Berlin Film Festival in 2003. ...

During the summer of 1997, Puff Daddy released his debut album "No Way Out," which featured Biggie on a number of songs, notably in the chorus of the single "Been Around the World" over a David Bowie sample ("Let's Dance"). However, the single that carried this album to the top was "I'll Be Missing You", a tribute and a massively successful single dedicated to Biggie. The song featured Puff Daddy, Wallace's widow Faith Evans and R&B group 112. The song sampled the melody of The Police's hit song "Every Breath You Take." All these artists performed the song with (former Police vocalist) Sting during the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards. David Bowie (born David Robert Hayward-Jones on 8 January 1947) is an English rock singer, musician and actor. ... Faith Renee Evans (born June 10, 1973 in Lakeland, Florida) is a Grammy Award-winning R&B singer/songwriter. ... The Police was a three-piece British new wave band which was strongly influenced by reggae. ... Sting in Budapest, 2000 Gordon Matthew Sumner, CBE (born October 2, 1951), usually known by his stage name Sting, is an English musician from Newcastle upon Tyne. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII in Roman) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The MTV Video Music Awards were established in 1984 by MTV to celebrate the top music videos of the year. ...

The year 1999 saw another release of a posthumous Notorious B.I.G. album. Puff Daddy released Biggie's third album, Born Again. It had two hit singles called "N.O.T.O.R.I.O.U.S." featuring Puff Daddy and Lil' Kim (interpolation to the Duran Duran's song of the same name), and "Dead Wrong" a single that later was remixed with a verse from Eminem. The video for "N.O.T.O.R.I.O.U.S." also featured appearances by 98 Degrees and Fat Joe, and is also the last Notorious B.I.G. solo video to date (as of 2005). 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... Born Again is the name a posthumous album by The Notorious B.I.G.. It was released on December 7, 1999. ... Duran Duran are an electronic pop-rock band, often classified into the aggregate 80s rock genre and notable for a long series of catchy, synthesizer-driven hit singles and vivid music videos. ... Notorious is the 14th single by Duran Duran. ... Eminem (born Marshall Bruce Mathers III on October 17, 1972) is an American rapper, one of todays most popular and controversial rappers, and a Grammy and Oscar-winner. ... 98 Degrees was an American boy band. ... Fat Joe, All or Nothing cover album Fat Joe (born Joseph Cartagena on August 19, 1970) is an American rapper. ... 2005 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In 2001, a rap performed by B.I.G. was featured in Michael Jackson's song "Unbreakable" which was included on his multi-platinum album Invincible. B.I.G. previously collaborated with Jackson in his 1995 song "This Time Around" from Jackson's famous autobiographical album HIStory. 2001: A Space Odyssey. ... For other people with the same name, see Michael Jackson (disambiguation) Michael Joseph Jackson (born August 29, 1958), also known as the King of Pop and, derogatively as Wacko Jacko, is an American musician whose successful music career and controversial personal life have been at the forefront of pop culture... Invincible is an album by Michael Jackson released on October 30, 2001. ... 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... An autobiography (from the Greek auton, self, bios, life and graphein, write) is a biography written by the subject or composed conjointly with a collaborative writer (styled as told to or with). The term dates from the late eighteenth century, but the form is much older. ... Wikimedia Commons has media related to: History For other senses of this word, see history (disambiguation). ...

In 2003, Puff Daddy gave 50 Cent rights to sample Biggie's verses from "Niggaz" (a song from the Born Again album) into a song called "The Realest Niggaz". It got out as a single and hit New York radio stations as a big hit. Many have attributed that song as a major key to the rise of 50 Cent, who is now one of hip-hop's biggest superstars. The song (which also featured and was produced by Eminem) was later put on the soundtrack for the 2003 hit movie Bad Boys 2 with Martin Lawrence and Will Smith. Later on in 2003, Biggie appeared on "Runnin' (Dying To Live)" along with 2Pac. The song was produced by Eminem. 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Sean John Combs (born November 4, 1969 aka P. Diddy, Puff Daddy, Sean Puffy Combs) is an American record producer and CEO and founder of Bad Boy Entertainment, one of the driving forces in hip hop in the mid to late 1990s. ... Curtis James Jackson III (born July 6, 1975), known commonly as 50 Cent, is a popular African-American rapper who rose to fame following the success of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre. ... Eminem (born Marshall Bruce Mathers III on October 17, 1972) is an American rapper, one of todays most popular and controversial rappers, and a Grammy and Oscar-winner. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Bad Boys is a 1995 film that stars Martin Lawrence, Will Smith and Téa Leoni. ... Martin Lawrence Martin Lawrence (born April 16, 1965) is an American actor, comedian, director and producer. ... Will Smith in the 2005 romantic comedy Hitch. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Years after his death, Tupac Shakur is still considered one of the most influential hip hop artists of all time. ...

On August 28, 2005, at the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards, Biggie was paid tribute to by host P Diddy, and Snoop Dogg. The setup had an orchestra playing while the lyrics from "Juicy" and "Warning" played on the arena speakers. It was a well-received tribute for that evening. In September 2005, VH1 had its second annual hip hop honors, with a tribute to Biggie headlining the show. The long awaited The Notorious B.I.G. Duets: The Final Chapter album was released December 20, 2005. August 28 is the 240th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (241st in leap years), with 125 days remaining. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The MTV Video Music Awards were established in 1984 by MTV to celebrate the top music videos of the year. ... Sean Diddy Combs Sean Combs (born November 4, 1969) is a Record Producer and Entertainment Mogul who presides over a media empire that includes the record label Bad Boy Entertainment, the clothing lines Sean John and Sean by Sean Combs, a movie production company, and a restaurant chain. ... Snoop Dogg performing in Hawaii for U.S. military personnel Snoop Dogg (born Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr. ... Look up September in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 20 is the 354th day of the year (355th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Fans will still have one last chance to hear unreleased Biggie material, as he will be featured on Busta Rhymes' highly anticipated Aftermath debut, The Big Bang. This article or section contains information that has not been verified and thus might not be reliable. ... The Big Bang is the upcoming album from hip hop musician Busta Rhymes. ...

New Biggie material is also featured on the new album by Ghostface Killah entitled Fishscale. Ghostface Killah Ghostface Killah (born Dennis Coles, May 9, 1970) is an MC and member of the hip-hop collective, Wu-Tang Clan. ... Fishscale is the upcoming fifth solo album by Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah. ...

What If B.I.G. was alive?

Many people in associated with rap music continuously speculate about how different rap would be today had Biggie Smalls never been killed. Many say that most rappers today would not be in the game if Biggie was still around. This belief is also confirmed by Jadakiss, in an appearence on MTV's The Shop where Jada says instead these rappers would be taking fast food orders. However, close, personal friends of Biggie, most notably Lil' Cease, Lil Kim, and Puff Daddy, all insist that Biggie was not going to be in hip-hop for a very long time. In an interview with XXL Magazine (made in 1995 but released in 2003), Biggie himself said he was not going to rap past the year 2000, instead opting to manage the careers of Junior MAFIA. The XXL Magazine. ...

Also, at the time of his death, Biggie created a hip-hop supergroup called the Commission, which consisted of himself, Jay-Z, Mase, Cam'ron, The L.O.X., Capone-N-Noreaga, Black Rob, and Charli Baltimore. Jay-Z (aka the Jigga, HOV and Hova, born Shawn Carter on December 4, 1970 in Brooklyn, New York) is an African American rapper/hip hop artist and record label executive; one of the most popular and successful rappers of the late 1990s and early 2000s. ... Ma$e, on the cover of his 2004 album Welcome Back. ... Camron Cameron Giles (born February 4, 1976), better known as Camron or Killa Cam, is a popular African-American rapper from Harlem, New York. ... The L.O.X. also known as D-Block is a group of 3 emcees originating from New York discovered by Bad Boy Records boss Sean Puffy Combs. ... Capone-N-Noreaga (C-N-N for short) is an East Coast hip hop duo that consists of Capone (Kiam Holley) and Noreaga (Victor Santiago). ... Black Rob (Robert Ross) is a hip hop artist currently signed to Bad Boy Entertainment. ... // Biography Charli Chuck B. More Baltimore (born Tiffany Lane on August 16, 1974 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a Grammy nominated female rapper and protege of the late Notorious B.I.G.. She was born to a German father and an African American mother but mainly rasied by her elder half...

Movie

There is a movie in the works about the life of The Notorious B.I.G. Antoine Fuqua, the director of Training Day, will direct the film. The film is being produced by Wallace's mother, Voletta Wallace, and by his former managers, Wayne Barrow and Mark Pitts. Mrs. Wallace has stated that the movie will be based around the personal life of Christopher Wallace. Antoine Fuqua (born January 19, 1966 in Pittsburgh) is an African-American film director of such films as The Replacement Killers with Chow Yun Fat, Training Day with Denzel Washington, Tears of the Sun with Bruce Willis and King Arthur with Clive Owen. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Voletta Wallace is widly known as the mother of the slain-rapper The Notorious B.I.G. Born in Trelawny, Jamaica, she immagrated to New York City after recieving a plane ticket as an invitation from an ex-boss of hers at an employment agency. ...

Trivia

• Biggie had the ability to write songs in his head and then freestyle them to make tracks right on the spot. Biggie used this ability especially on his debut album "Ready To Die" and was later emulated by successful artists such as Jay-Z, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Ja Rule and Common.
• According to people close to him, Biggie had five albums worth of lyrics in his head around the time he was killed.
• Biggie is also one of the best (yet uncredited) scouters in rap. Among the people who he discovered, or in some way helped further their rap careers, were Jay-Z, Sam Carlin, Cam'ron, Jadakiss, Styles P, Sheek Louch, Lil Kim, Mase, N.O.R.E. and Charli Baltimore
• Biggie attended the same high school in downtown Brooklyn as Jay-Z and Busta Rhymes.
• His album "Life After Death" is certified Diamond, meaning it sold more than 10 million copies.
• Biggie was one of the first MCs ever to successfully bridge the gap between commercial and underground success.
• He first signed with Uptown Records in 1993, his first recording deal.
• His career was started when he won a mixtape contest from a local radio station with the help of Mister Cee and the Source gave it a good review.
• He was first signed to CARLiNdustries however Sam Carlin and Biggie decided that for them to remain friends they would work better in different labels.
• Method man is the only artist to feature on Biggie's first album "Ready To Die" on the track; "The What"

Jay-Z (aka the Jigga, HOV and Hova, born Shawn Carter on December 4, 1970 in Brooklyn, New York) is an African American rapper/hip hop artist and record label executive; one of the most popular and successful rappers of the late 1990s and early 2000s. ... Talib Kweli Talib Kweli (born Talib Kweli Greene, 1975) is a rapper from Brooklyn, New York. ... Mos Def sporting Triple 5 Soul Mos Def (born Dante Terrell Smith on 11 December 1973 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American rapper and actor. ... Jeffery Atkins (born February 29, 1976 in Hollis, Queens), better known as Ja Rule (Jeffery Atkins Represents Unconditional Love Exists) is an American rapper and actor. ... Common may refer to : A common - an area of common land The rapper, Common (aka Common Sense) Commonness, the property possessed by those who are vulgar, especially those who are working class. ... Jay-Z (aka the Jigga, HOV and Hova, born Shawn Carter on December 4, 1970 in Brooklyn, New York) is an African American rapper/hip hop artist and record label executive; one of the most popular and successful rappers of the late 1990s and early 2000s. ... Camron Cameron Giles (born February 4, 1976), better known as Camron or Killa Cam, is a popular African-American rapper from Harlem, New York. ... Jadakiss Jadakiss (born Jason Phillips May 27, 1975 in Yonkers, New York) is a popular American rapper, according to Dante Preston and Garrett Compton of Richmond,Va who were later serverly beaten by the infamousT.W.I.N.Z.. After Recovering they were struck by lighting and ate be sharks... Styles P. (born David Styles on November 28, 1974 in Corona, Queens, New York City, New York, USA) to an Jamaican father and a South African mother is an American rapper. ... Lil Kim on the cover of her album Notorious Kim Kimberly Ann Jones, professionally known as Lil Kim (also called The Queen Bee, The Lieutenant, and The Queen Bitch such as the QB of all bitches) is a United States rapper who was born in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood... Ma$e Ma$e (born Mason Durrell Betha on August 27, 1978 in Jacksonville, Florida) is an American rapper, best known as a successful artist on Sean Combs (Diddy) hip hop label Bad Boy Records during the late 1990s. ... N.O.R.E. (formerly known as Noreaga, born Victor Santiago) is an American rapper and member of the hip hop group C-N-N (formerly known as Capone-N-Noreaga). N.O.R.E. stands for Niggaz On (the) Run Eatin. Half African American and half Puerto Rican, N... // Biography Charli Chuck B. More Baltimore (born Tiffany Lane on August 16, 1974 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a Grammy nominated female rapper and protege of the late Notorious B.I.G.. She was born to a German father and an African American mother but mainly rasied by her elder half... The Source Magazine The Source is a U.S., monthly full-color magazine covering hip-hop music, politics, and culture. ...

Discography

Albums

• Ready to Die (Bad Boy/Arista, 1994) #15 US; Certification: 4x Platinum
• Life After Death (Bad Boy/Arista, 1997) #1 US (4 weeks), #23 UK; Certification: Diamond (10x Platinum)
• Born Again (Released Posthumously, Bad Boy/Arista, 1999) #1 US (1 week); Certification: 3x Platinum
• The Notorious B.I.G. Duets: The Final Chapter #3 US, #13 UK, #4 Canada, #10 Ireland; Certification: Platinum

Ready to Die is a gangsta rap album by East Coast hip hop artist Notorious B.I.G., released on September 13, 1994 (see 1994 in music). ... Bad Boy Records is an East Coast hip hop record label founded by producer/rapper Sean Diddy Combs in 1993 after his power climb from a no-pay internship to A&R executive at Uptown Records was terminated by the then CEO Andre Harrell. ... Arista Records was founded in 1975 by Clive Davis, and named after his secondary school honor society. ... Life After Death is the second album by East Coast rapper Notorious B.I.G. (Biggie Smalls), released on March 25, 1997 (see 1997 in music). ... Bad Boy Records is an East Coast hip hop record label founded by producer/rapper Sean Diddy Combs in 1993 after his power climb from a no-pay internship to A&R executive at Uptown Records was terminated by the then CEO Andre Harrell. ... Arista Records was founded in 1975 by Clive Davis, and named after his secondary school honor society. ... Born Again is the name a posthumous album by The Notorious B.I.G.. It was released on December 7, 1999. ... Bad Boy Records is an East Coast hip hop record label founded by producer/rapper Sean Diddy Combs in 1993 after his power climb from a no-pay internship to A&R executive at Uptown Records was terminated by the then CEO Andre Harrell. ... Arista Records was founded in 1975 by Clive Davis, and named after his secondary school honor society. ...

Singles

The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. ... The UK Singles Chart is currently compiled by The Official UK Charts Company (OCC) on behalf of the British record industry. ... See also: 1992 in music, other events of 1993, 1994 in music, 1990s in music and the list of years in music // Events January 8 - The U.S. Postal service issues an Elvis Presley stamp. ... See also: 1993 in music, other events of 1994, 1995 in music, 1990s in music and the list of years in music. // Events January 29 - The Supremes Mary Wilson is injured when her jeep hits a freeway median and flips over just outside of Los Angeles, California. ... Ready to Die is a gangsta rap album by East Coast hip hop artist Notorious B.I.G., released on September 13, 1994 (see 1994 in music). ... See also: 1994 in music, other events of 1995, 1996 in music, 1990s in music and the list of years in music // Events January 18 - Jerry Garcia wrecks his rented BMW into a guard rail near Mill Valley, California. ... Ready to Die is a gangsta rap album by East Coast hip hop artist Notorious B.I.G., released on September 13, 1994 (see 1994 in music). ... See also: 1994 in music, other events of 1995, 1996 in music, 1990s in music and the list of years in music // Events January 18 - Jerry Garcia wrecks his rented BMW into a guard rail near Mill Valley, California. ... Faith Renee Evans (born June 10, 1973 in Lakeland, Florida) is a Grammy Award-winning R&B singer/songwriter. ... Ready to Die is a gangsta rap album by East Coast hip hop artist Notorious B.I.G., released on September 13, 1994 (see 1994 in music). ... See also: 1996 in music, other events of 1997, 1998 in music, 1990s in music and the list of years in music // Events January 9 - David Bowie performs his 50th Birthday Bash concert (the day after his birthday) at Madison Square Garden, with guests Frank Black, The Foo Fighters, Sonic... Life After Death is the second album by East Coast rapper Notorious B.I.G. (Biggie Smalls), released on March 25, 1997 (see 1997 in music). ... See also: 1996 in music, other events of 1997, 1998 in music, 1990s in music and the list of years in music // Events January 9 - David Bowie performs his 50th Birthday Bash concert (the day after his birthday) at Madison Square Garden, with guests Frank Black, The Foo Fighters, Sonic... Life After Death is the second album by East Coast rapper Notorious B.I.G. (Biggie Smalls), released on March 25, 1997 (see 1997 in music). ... See also: 1996 in music, other events of 1997, 1998 in music, 1990s in music and the list of years in music // Events January 9 - David Bowie performs his 50th Birthday Bash concert (the day after his birthday) at Madison Square Garden, with guests Frank Black, The Foo Fighters, Sonic... Sean John Combs (born November 4, 1969 aka P. Diddy, Puff Daddy, Sean Puffy Combs) is an American record producer and CEO and founder of Bad Boy Entertainment, one of the driving forces in hip hop in the mid to late 1990s. ... Ma$e, on the cover of his 2004 album Welcome Back. ... Life After Death is the second album by East Coast rapper Notorious B.I.G. (Biggie Smalls), released on March 25, 1997 (see 1997 in music). ... See also: 1997 in music, other events of 1998, 1999 in music, 1990s in music and the list of years in music // Events February 15 - Sir Edward Elgars unfinished third symphony, completed by Anthony Payne is performed for the first time at the Royal Festival Hall. ... 112 (pronounced One-TWELVE) is an American R&B quartet from Atlanta, Georgia, made up of members Daron Tavaris Jones, Michael Marcel Keith (aka Mike), Quinnes Daymond Parker (aka Q), and Marvin Eugene Scandrick, III (aka Slim). They are best known for hit singles such as Anywhere and Dance With... Life After Death is the second album by East Coast rapper Notorious B.I.G. (Biggie Smalls), released on March 25, 1997 (see 1997 in music). ... See also: 1997 in music, other events of 1998, 1999 in music, 1990s in music and the list of years in music // Events February 15 - Sir Edward Elgars unfinished third symphony, completed by Anthony Payne is performed for the first time at the Royal Festival Hall. ... Years after his death, Tupac Shakur is still considered one of the most influential hip hop artists of all time. ... See also: 1998 in music, 1999 in British music, other events of 1999, 2000 in music, 1990s in music and the list of years in music // Events January 7 After eight years of marriage, Rod Stewart and supermodel wife Rachel Hunter announce their separation. ... Eminem (born Marshall Bruce Mathers III on October 17, 1972) is an American rapper, one of todays most popular and controversial rappers, and a Grammy and Oscar-winner. ... Born Again is the name a posthumous album by The Notorious B.I.G.. It was released on December 7, 1999. ... See also: 1998 in music, 1999 in British music, other events of 1999, 2000 in music, 1990s in music and the list of years in music // Events January 7 After eight years of marriage, Rod Stewart and supermodel wife Rachel Hunter announce their separation. ... Sean John Combs (born November 4, 1969 aka P. Diddy, Puff Daddy, Sean Puffy Combs) is an American record producer and CEO and founder of Bad Boy Entertainment, one of the driving forces in hip hop in the mid to late 1990s. ... Kimberly Denise Jones (born July 11, 1975), also known as Lil Kim and the Queen Bee, is an American harcore rap artist, known for sexually explicit lyrics and boundary-pushing attire. ... Born Again is the name a posthumous album by The Notorious B.I.G.. It was released on December 7, 1999. ... // Events January - following an investigation by The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and London detectives, police raids in England and the Netherlands recover nearly 500 original Beatles studio tapes, recorded during the Let It Be sessions. ... Curtis James Jackson III (born July 6, 1975), known commonly as 50 Cent, is a popular African-American rapper who rose to fame following the success of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre. ... See also: 2004 in music (UK) other events of 2004 list of years in music 2000s in music // Events January 1 - Vienna New Years Concert by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in Vienna, conducted by Riccardo Muti January 1 - Kurt Nilsen wins World Idol January 3 - Britney Spears marries Jason... Years after his death, Tupac Shakur is still considered one of the most influential hip hop artists of all time. ... See also: 2005 in music (UK) 2005 in music (Switzerland) Other events of 2005 List of years in music 2000s in music // Events January 22 - Tsunami Relief concert held at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales - the largest live music event in the UK since the Live Aid concert of 1985. ... Nasty Girl is the title of a song by the late Notorious B.I.G. It was released on January 16th 2006 in the UK and reached #1 there (this being his first #1 in the country, just under a year after rival rapper 2Pac had also achieved his first... P. Diddy Sean John Combs (born November 4, 1969 aka P. Diddy, Puff Daddy, Sean Puffy Combs) is an African-American record producer, entrepreneur, and rapper. ... Cornell Haynes Jr. ... Jagged Edge is an American R&B singing group that was originally signed through Jermaine Dupris SoSo Def Records to Columbia Records. ... See also: 2006 in music (UK) 2006 in music (Switzerland) other events of 2006 list of years in music 2000s in music // Events January 11 to January 15 - MahlerFest XIX held in Boulder, Colorado, honoring Austrian composer Gustav Mahler. ... Robert Nesta Marley, OM, (February 6, 1945 – May 11, 1981) better known as Bob Marley, was a Jamaican singer, guitarist, songwriter, Rastafarian and activist. ... See also: 2006 in music (UK) 2006 in music (Switzerland) other events of 2006 list of years in music 2000s in music // Events January 11 to January 15 - MahlerFest XIX held in Boulder, Colorado, honoring Austrian composer Gustav Mahler. ... The Game may mean: In games: The Game (game), a game whose objective is to forget its existence The Game (treasure hunt), a giant treasure hunt played on several college campuses The Game (college football), an annual football game between Harvard and Yale Universities In media: The Game (film), a... Faith Renee Evans (born June 10, 1973 in Lakeland, Florida) is a Grammy Award-winning R&B singer/songwriter. ...

Featured Roles

The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. ... The UK Singles Chart is currently compiled by The Official UK Charts Company (OCC) on behalf of the British record industry. ... See also: 1994 in music, other events of 1995, 1996 in music, 1990s in music and the list of years in music // Events January 18 - Jerry Garcia wrecks his rented BMW into a guard rail near Mill Valley, California. ... Total was an American R&B/new jack swing female trio, active from 1994 to 1999. ... Total was an American R&B/new jack swing female trio, active from 1994 to 1999. ... See also: 1995 in music, other events of 1996, 1997 in music, 1990s in music and the list of years in music // Events January 8 - Madonnas stalker, Robert Hoskins is found guilty and convicted on 5 charges of assault, stalking, and threatening to kill her. ... 112 (pronounced One-TWELVE) is an American R&B quartet from Atlanta, Georgia, made up of members Daron Tavaris Jones, Michael Marcel Keith (aka Mike), Quinnes Daymond Parker (aka Q), and Marvin Eugene Scandrick, III (aka Slim). They are best known for hit singles such as Anywhere and Dance With... 112 is the first album by the R&B group 112. ... See also: 1996 in music, other events of 1997, 1998 in music, 1990s in music and the list of years in music // Events January 9 - David Bowie performs his 50th Birthday Bash concert (the day after his birthday) at Madison Square Garden, with guests Frank Black, The Foo Fighters, Sonic... Georg Ritter von Trapp Georg Ritter von Trapp (April 4, 1880 - May 30, 1947) headed the famous Austrian singing family memorialized in the musical The Sound of Music. ... Years after his death, Tupac Shakur is still considered one of the most influential hip hop artists of all time. ... See also: 1996 in music, other events of 1997, 1998 in music, 1990s in music and the list of years in music // Events January 9 - David Bowie performs his 50th Birthday Bash concert (the day after his birthday) at Madison Square Garden, with guests Frank Black, The Foo Fighters, Sonic... Georg Ritter von Trapp Georg Ritter von Trapp (April 4, 1880 - May 30, 1947) headed the famous Austrian singing family memorialized in the musical The Sound of Music. ... Years after his death, Tupac Shakur is still considered one of the most influential hip hop artists of all time. ...

B-Sides

• "Unbelievable" - ["Juicy"]
• "Warning" - ["Big Poppa"]
• "The What" (Featuring Method Man) - ["One More Chance" [Remix]]

Method Man Method Man (born Clifford Smith, April 1, 1971 in Hempstead, Long Island, New York) is an American rapper and member of the hip hop collective, Wu-Tang Clan. ...

See also

• Bad Boy Entertainment
• Sean Combs

Bad Boy Records is an East Coast hip hop record label founded by producer and rapper Sean P. Diddy Combs in 1992. ... Sean Diddy Combs Sean Combs (born November 4, 1969) is a Record Producer and Entertainment Mogul who presides over a media empire that includes the record label Bad Boy Entertainment, the clothing lines Sean John and Sean by Sean Combs, a movie production company, and a restaurant chain. ...

External links

• N o t o r i o u s O n l i n e - B.I.G. Official website
• Official website for the new album "Duets: The Final Chapter"
• The Murder of Notorious B.I.G.
• Notorious BIG & Bad Boy Records fan site
• Biggie Smalls Freestylefilm clip from Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, 1989
• "Brooklyn Noir", PopMatters column (12/2005) Eight years after his death, the Notorious B.I.G.'s evocations of the hard-knock Bed-Stuy life and reformation of East coast hip-hop still feel colossally immediate.
• Notorious B.I.G. Lyrics