Biggie Smalls aka The Notorious B.I.G

You cannot talk about hip-hop and rap without mentioning the most notorious of them all, Biggie Smalls aka The Notorious B.I.G.

Christopher Wallace was born May 21, 1972 to Jamaican emigrant parents. He lived at 226 Saint James Place in Bedford-Stuyvesant. He was abandoned by his father at only two years old. His mother, Voletta, worked two jobs to support themselves. Christopher was raised Catholic and was sent to parochial school as a child.

Wallace excelled at multiple subjects while attending Queen of All Saints Middle School.

Wallace excelled at multiple subjects while attending Queen of All Saints Middle School. He received awards for English and his writing. Earning the name ‘Big’ for his large stature from peers, the name stuck. Following Christopher’s transfer to Career and Technical Information High School his mother noticed a change in Biggie Smalls aka the Notorious B.I.G’s attitude. Some of his classmates were fellow rap legends such as Jay-Z and Busta Rhymes. Biggie was well-known at the time for his skill with spitting fluid rhymes right off the top of his head.

In 1989 Christopher dropped out of high school at 17 years old.

In 1989 Christopher dropped out of high school at 17 years old. He was arrested for possession of weapons that same year. Consequently he was sentenced to five years probation. A year later he was caught dealing crack cocaine in North Carolina. Wallace spent nine months in jail before making his bail.

After his release from jail, Biggie Smalls aka Notorious B.I.G. made a demo tape called Microphone Murderer.

After his release from jail, Biggie Smalls aka Notorious B.I.G. made a demo tape called Microphone Murderer. Introducing himself as Biggie Smalls, he didn’t have grand ambitions for a rap career. Rap wanted him however. Upon hearing his demo, Sean “Puffy” Combs arranged for a meeting with Christopher Wallace.  

Biggie Smalls aka the Notorious B.I.G.’s rap premiere was on ‘Heavy D and the Boyz’s’ song “A Buncha Niggas”.

Biggie Smalls aka the Notorious B.I.G.’s rap premiere was on Heavy D and the Boyz’s song “A Buncha Niggas”. After that he was mainly doing remixes of other artists. One remix he did was for Mary J. Blige’s single “Real Love”. Around this time his only daughter was born. He swore to give her everything she wanted so that she would be happy and have success in life. She must have felt safe and loved having a Big Poppa like him around.

You can’t talk about Biggie Smalls aka the Notorious B.I.G without mentioning his doomed friendship with Tupac.

You can’t talk about Biggie Smalls aka the Notorious B.I.G without mentioning his doomed friendship with Tupac. They met on the set of Poetic Justice. Finding out that Tupac regularly listened to his demo tape understandably left Biggie in awe. They became fast friends and soon the two were inseparable. They were seen together all over the West Coast regularly. Biggie’s first album ‘Ready to Die’ was released in 1994. Biggie’s smooth, deep voice pairs with his shocking, risqué lyrics.

Biggie Smalls aka the Notorious B.I.G’s smooth, deep voice pairs with his shocking, risqué lyrics.

Biggie Smalls aka the Notorious B.I.G’s smooth, deep voice pairs with his shocking, risqué lyrics. It was this which launched him to fame in the 90s. Biggie began free-styling at a young age. His lyrics express his rough upbringing in Bedford-Stuyvesant. Biggie’s music moves you with its laid back rhythm. His rhymes about the reality he witnessed focus on the pain of growing up in a poor neighborhood. They talk about his struggles with drugs, gangs, violence, and poverty. His music is a beacon of hope for youth who are facing the world against all odds. Doesn’t matter if you’re from the borough or not. Biggie Smalls ain’t a name you can ever ignore.

Notorious came into the hustlin’ lifestyle at a very young age.

Notorious came into the hustlin’ lifestyle at a very young age. At 24 he was one of the largest names in the rap game. He still is an influence on rap and hip-hop culture 30 years later. His lyrical abilities set him apart, making him the undisputed king of the East Coast. The beats of Puff Daddy mixed with Biggie Small’s provocative lyrics. A force that hit the industry and left a mark, they’ll be remembered ’til you hear death knockin’ at your front door.

Often portrayed as a big, mean gang-banger, that wasn’t all he was about.

Often portrayed as a big, mean gang-banger, that wasn’t all he was about. His innocent side remains in the shadows and gets ignored. He was a kid whose back was against the wall. As it is for many forgotten youth, crime became a means of survival for Biggie. His music reflects his inner turmoil about his lifestyle. When he spits he spits the truth: 

“All my life I been considered as the worst;

Lying to my mother, even stealing out her purse;

Crime after crime, from drugs to extortion;

I know my mother wished she got a fucking abortion.”

Finally things were looking up for Biggie Smalls aka the Notorious B.I.G.

Finally things were looking up for Biggie Smalls aka the Notorious B.I.G. But there was trouble in paradise. Again, in 1996, Wallace was arrested. He chased down fans requesting an autograph. He punched a window and one of them. Furthermore, his and Tupac’s friendship began to deteriorate. Releasing a single called ‘Hit ‘Em Up’, Tupac dissed Biggie and his originality. 

The tragic and legendary rivalry between Pac and Biggie has at least a hundred movie references.

The tragic and legendary rivalry between Pac and Biggie has at least a hundred movie references. September 7, 1996 Tupac Shakur was shot multiple times in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas. He succumbed to his wounds six days later. There were rumors that Biggie was responsible.

Despite the bad press, Biggie Smalls aka the Notorious B.I.G.’s career continued to flourish after the jolting end to Tupac.

Despite the bad press, Biggie Smalls aka the Notorious B.I.G.’s career continued to flourish after the jolting end to Tupac. Anticipating the release of his second studio album ‘Life After Death’ Biggie had more skirmishes with the law. He faced hefty charges and was subsequently held liable for $41,000 worth of damage. Lil Kim, a fellow Bed-Stuyer, was collaborating with Biggie Smalls on her music. He was supportive and encouraging of her rap career.

Biggie Smalls aka the Notorious B.I.G. was a complicated figure.

Biggie Smalls aka the Notorious B.I.G. was a complicated figure. Nevertheless, he represented the attainment of the American Dream, but also revealed its ugly underbelly. He gave joy to those around him, and it’s obvious when you walk around his old stomping grounds. His charm, protectiveness, and most of all his sense of family and community defined who he was. Biggie achieved the highest success anyone could dream of in America. As a Brooklynite, that’s something to be proud of. We all know Biggie Smalls aka the Notorious B.I.G took that cold wind and used it to his and his community’s advantage.

Read more about Biggie Smalls aka The Notorious B.I.G. here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Notorious_B.I.G.

Read our previous post on the history of the ritzy Montauk Club:

https://172-234-236-52.ip.linodeusercontent.com/park-slope-clubs-the-montauk/