Christopher George Latore Wallace (May 21, 1972 – March 9, 1997), best
known as The Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie Smalls.[2], was
an American rapper and hip hop artist.
Wallace was 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. The following year, Wallace led his childhood friends to chart success through his
protégé group, Junior M.A.F.I.A. While recording his second
album, Wallace was heavily involved in the growing East Coast/West Coast hip hop feud.
On March 9, 1997, Wallace was killed by an unknown assailant in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles. His double-disc set Life After Death, released 16 days later,
rose to No. 1 on the U.S. album charts and was certified Diamond in 2000, one of the few hip hop albums to
receive this certification.
Wallace was noted for his "loose, easy flow", dark
semi-autobiographical lyrics and storytelling abilities. Two more albums have
been released since his death. He has certified sales of 17 million units in the
United States.
known as The Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie Smalls.[2], was
an American rapper and hip hop artist.
Wallace was 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. The following year, Wallace led his childhood friends to chart success through his
protégé group, Junior M.A.F.I.A. While recording his second
album, Wallace was heavily involved in the growing East Coast/West Coast hip hop feud.
On March 9, 1997, Wallace was killed by an unknown assailant in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles. His double-disc set Life After Death, released 16 days later,
rose to No. 1 on the U.S. album charts and was certified Diamond in 2000, one of the few hip hop albums to
receive this certification.
Wallace was noted for his "loose, easy flow", dark
semi-autobiographical lyrics and storytelling abilities. Two more albums have
been released since his death. He has certified sales of 17 million units in the
United States.