Christopher George Latore Wallace, also known by his stage names the Notorious B.I.G., Biggie Smalls, or simply Biggie, was a highly influential American rapper. Hailing from Brooklyn, New York City, he made a significant impact on East Coast hip hop and gangsta rap, earning him a well-deserved spot on numerous media lists as one of the greatest rappers of all time. Wallace’s distinctive laid-back lyrical delivery complemented his often gritty and semi-autobiographical music, which delved into both hardship and criminality, as well as moments of debauchery and celebration.
In 1993, Wallace signed with Bad Boy Records, Sean “Puffy” Combs’ label, where he gained exposure through collaborations with other artists. His debut album, “Ready to Die,” released in 1994, received widespread critical acclaim and featured signature tracks like “Juicy” and “Big Poppa.” This album solidified his position as a central figure in East Coast hip-hop and revitalized New York’s hip-hop scene during a time dominated by West Coast artists. As a testament to his success, Wallace was honored with the 1995 Billboard Music Awards’ Rapper of the Year.
In 1996, while working on his second album, Wallace was drawn into the escalating East Coast–West Coast hip-hop feud. Following the tragic murder of Tupac Shakur in September 1996, speculations arose regarding Wallace’s potential involvement due to his public feud with Shakur and the presence of criminal elements connected to Bad Boy Records. Unfortunately, on March 9, 1997, six months after Shakur’s death, Wallace fell victim to a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles, the perpetrator remaining unidentified. His second album, “Life After Death,” a double album, was released posthumously two weeks later. It quickly reached the number one spot on the Billboard 200, and singles like “Hypnotize” and “Mo Money Mo Problems” (featuring Puff Daddy and Mase) peaked on the Billboard Hot 100. Over time, the album achieved a diamond certification in the United States.
Even after his passing, Wallace’s impact continued to be felt, with two more posthumous albums released, and total certified sales of over 28 million copies in the United States, including 21 million albums. Renowned publications such as Rolling Stone, Billboard, and The Source have hailed him as the greatest rapper of all time. MTV ranked him No. 3 on their list of The Greatest MCs of All Time in 2006, praising his exceptional skill on the microphone. In 2020, he was inducted into the esteemed Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as an iconic figure in the history of hip-hop.