The Notorious B.I.G.
Large in stature and blessed with equally generous reserves of talent, The Notorious B.I.G was once dubbed “the greatest rapper that ever lived” by Rolling Stone magazine, yet he lost the chance to fulfil his potential when he was killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles in March 1997, aged just 24.
Nevertheless, this outsized talent had already bequeathed enough music to sustain a substantial legacy. Born Christopher Wallace, in Brooklyn, New York City, Biggie was signed to Sean Combs’ Bad Boy imprint in 1993 and quickly found fame when his debut album, Ready To Die, met with widespread acclaim. He scooped Rapper Of The Year at the 1995 Billboard Music Awards and was recognised as a mainstream star by the time his explosive, Grammy-winning hit Hypnotize was released, on 4 March 1997. Tragically, Biggie didn’t live long enough to reap the rewards, as he was killed less then a week later, leaving the mourning hip-hop community to wonder what might have been when his prophetically-titled second album, Life After Death, appeared posthumously, gaining a diamond certification and establishing The Notorious B.I.G. as one of the all-time greats.
Who Shot Ya? The True Story Behind Biggie’s Landmark Hip-Hop Song
A vicious song that fuelled tension in the hip-hop community, Who Shot Ya? put The Notorious B.I.G. in the crosshairs of controversy.
Best Reissues Of 2022: 40 Essential Releases Of The Year So Far
The best reissues of 2022 bring must-have classic albums back into view for long-term collectors and curious newcomers alike.
Best 90s Music Videos: 20 Promo Clips That Defined An Era
From hip-hop decadence to cop-show pastiches, the best 90s music videos were innovative and stylish examples of what the format could do.
Player’s Anthem: Behind Biggie And Junior M.A.F.I.A.’s Meisterwerk
Under guidance from The Notorious B.I.G., Junior M.A.F.I.A. made their mark with Player’s Anthem, a classic slice of 90s hardcore hip-hop.
Hypnotize: The Story Behind The Notorious B.I.G.’s Mesmerising Song
Arguably The Notorious B.I.G.’s signature song, Hypnotize has become a byword for hip-hop and a definitive document of the bling era.
‘Life After Death’: Behind Notorious B.I.G.’s Posthumous Rap Masterpiece
Released just weeks after The Notorious B.I.G.’s fatal shooting, ‘Life After Death’ was a hip-hop epic that ensured Biggie’s immortality.
Why The Notorious B.I.G.’s Legacy Continues To Loom Over Hip-Hop
A larger-than-life talent with a tragically early end, The Notorious B.I.G. helped to create the moneyed hip-hop world we know today.
Big Poppa: How The Notorious B.I.G. Became The Daddy Of NYC Hip-Hop
Stepping out as an unlikely hip-hop loverman, The Notorious B.I.G. ensured that Big Poppa would live in the memory as a certified classic.
‘Born Again’: How The Notorious B.I.G. Found Another Rebirth
Posthumously compiled from Biggie’s vast trove of unreleased recordings, ‘Born Again’ brimmed with life from one of the world’s greatest MCs.
Ready To Die: How The Notorious B.I.G. Gave His Life To Hip-Hop
An evocative picture of life in 90s New York City, The Notorious B.I.G.’s debut album, ‘Ready To Die’, introduced a vital voice in hip-hop.
Juicy: Behind The Notorious B.I.G.’s First Taste Of Fame
A breakthrough song that established Biggie Smalls as the greatest of all time, Juicy reveals why the MC was ripe for world domination.
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