The Notorious B.I.G.

ABOUT

The Notorious B.I.G., also known as Biggie Smalls or simply Biggie, was one of the most influential rappers in the history of hip-hop. Born Christopher George Latore Wallace on May 21, 1972, in Brooklyn, New York, he grew up to become a central figure in East Coast rap during the mid-1990s. Known for his profound storytelling, booming voice, and a distinctive flow, Biggie's music often depicted the harsh realities of life in the inner city. His albums, particularly "Ready to Die" and "Life After Death," are considered seminal works in the genre.

BEFORE FAME

Raised by a single mother in the tough streets of Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, Biggie faced an array of challenges from a young age. He was a talented student but was drawn to the allure of the street life, eventually dropping out of high school. Biggie began selling drugs as a teenager, which led to multiple run-ins with law enforcement. Music provided an outlet and a path to escape; he started rapping as a teenager and recorded demo tapes that eventually grabbed the attention of Sean "Puffy" Combs.

TRIVIA

• The Notorious B.I.G. was nicknamed "Biggie Smalls" based on a character from the movie "Let's Do It Again," though he later had to cease using the moniker due to a legal dispute.
• "Ready to Die" went on to become a quadruple-platinum album.
• "Hypnotize" and "Mo Money Mo Problems," singles from his second album "Life After Death," both reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
• The Notorious B.I.G. was involved in the East Coast-West Coast hip-hop rivalry, notably with West Coast rapper Tupac Shakur.
• His posthumously released album "Life After Death" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and is certified Diamond by the RIAA.

FAMILY LIFE

Christopher Wallace was the only child of Voletta Wallace, a Jamaican preschool teacher, and Selwyn George Latore, a welder and politician who left the family when Biggie was just two years old. Biggie's strong relationship with his mother played a significant role in his life and career. He married singer Faith Evans in 1994, just days after meeting her. The couple had one child together, Christopher “CJ” Wallace Jr., born in 1996. Biggie also had an older daughter, T'yanna Wallace, from a previous relationship with Jan Jackson.

ASSOCIATED WITH

The Notorious B.I.G. had close ties with several significant figures in the music industry. Most notably, he was discovered and mentored by Sean "Puffy" Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records. His friendship and subsequent rivalry with Tupac Shakur was a pivotal element of the East Coast-West Coast conflict which shaped much of mid-90s hip-hop culture. Biggie also frequently collaborated with artists such as Lil' Kim, Puffy, Junior M.A.F.I.A., and Jay-Z. Despite his untimely death in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles in 1997, his influence on music and culture remains enduring.