NOTORIOUS B.I.G. Biography - Musicians

 
 

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NOTORIOUS B.I.G.

Name: Christopher George Latore Wallace                                                   
Also known as Biggie Smalls, Biggie, Frank White, Big Poppa                               
Born: 21 May 1972 Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States                       
Died: 9 March 1997 Los Angeles, California, United States                                 
                                                                                         
Christopher George Latore Wallace (May 21, 1972 - March 9, 1997), popularly               
known as Biggie Smalls (after a gangster in the 1975 film Let's Do It Again),             
Big Poppa, Frank White (from the film King of New York), and his primary stage           
name, The Notorious B.I.G., was an American artist known for his rapping and hip         
hop music.                                                                               
                                                                                         
Born in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, Biggie grew up during the peak years           
of the 1980s crack epidemic and started dealing drugs at an early age. When               
Biggie debuted with the 1994 record Ready to Die, he was a central figure in the         
East Coast and increased New York's viability at a time when hip hop was mostly           
dominated by West Coast artists. The following year, Biggie led his childhood             
friends to chart success through his protege group, Junior M.A.F.I.A.                     
                                                                                         
While recording his second album, Biggie was heavily involved in the East Coast-West     
Coast hip hop feud dominating the scene at the time. On March 9, 1997, he was             
killed by an unknown assailant in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles, California.         
His double-disc set Life After Death, released fifteen days later, hit #1 on the         
U.S. album charts and was certified Diamond in 2000. Biggie was noted for his             
"loose, easy flow", dark semi-autobiographical lyrics and storytelling                   
abilities. Since his death, a further two albums have been released and he has           
been described by the media as one of the greatest rappers of all time.