Who is Biggie Smalls

The Notorious B.I.G. was born Christopher George Latore Wallace on 21 May, 1972 to Voletta and Selwyn, a welder and politician. Like many famous rappers, he originated from Brooklyn. He was raised by his mother alone.

He was an achiever in school, winning English awards. However, he also succumbed to dealing drugs at 12. He made a demo tape after getting out of jail, which prompted Puff to sign him. Biggie debuted with the critically acclaimed, “Ready to Die”, in 1994 and since then gained popularity.

He got nominated for 22 awards, 4 of which were Grammys. Although he didn’t win any Grammy awards, he did win 14 other awards such as the MTV’s Best Rap Video for, “Hypnotize”; Soul Train Awards for Best R&B/Soul Album and R&B/Song Rap Song of the Year; and several Source Music Awards.

Over the course of his career, he has been in a few more arrests, feuds, and accidents, leading up to his death by gunshot wounds in 1997. His presence and influence can still be felt to this day as his second album, “Life After Death”, was released two weeks later and was certified diamond, followed by other posthumous albums.

He was considered “the saviour of East Coast Hip-Hop” by AllMusic. His funeral was star-studded, with Salt-N-Pepa, Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, Busta Rhymes, Lil’ Kim, and a long list of other artists being some of the mourners at the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel on March 18. Puff Daddy made a tribute to him featuring his then wife Faith Evans, titled, “I’ll Be Missing You”.

Notorious B.I.G. ITEMS FROM ASTROHIPHOP :