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{{Short description|American rapper (1972–1997)}}
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{{Use American English|date=November 2024}}
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{{Infobox person
|
| image = Biggie Smalls 1997.jpg
| alt = Wallace wearing a red jacket
| caption = Wallace in 1997
| birth_name = Christopher George Latore Wallace
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1972|05|21}}
| birth_place = New York City, U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1997|03|09|1972|05|21}}
| death_place = [[Los Angeles]], California, U.S.
| other_names = {{flatlist|
* Biggie Smalls
* Biggie
* Big
* Frank White
* Big Poppa
* MC CWest
}}
| death_cause = [[Murder of the Notorious B.I.G.|Drive-by homicide]] (gunshot wound)
| occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|songwriter}}
| years_active = 1992–1997
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Faith Evans]]|1994}}
| children = 2, including [[C. J. Wallace (actor)|C. J.]]
| awards = [[#Awards and nominations|Full list]]
| website =
| module = {{Infobox musical artist
| embed = yes
| background = solo_singer
| genre = {{flatlist|
* [[East Coast hip-hop]]
* [[Gangsta rap|mafioso rap]]
* [[hardcore hip-hop]]
}}
| label = {{flatlist|
* [[Bad Boy Entertainment|Bad Boy]]
* [[Atlantic Records Group|Atlantic]]
* [[Arista Records|Arista]]
* [[Uptown Records|Uptown]]<!--Keep Uptown as one of the labels. Biggie was signed to Uptown until Puffy was fired from the label.-->
}}
}}<!--end-module-->
| signature = B.I.G. sig.svg
}}
'''Christopher George Latore Wallace''' (May 21, 1972 – March 9, 1997), better known by his stage names '''the<!-- DO NOT CAPITALISE the T in "the"; see [[Wikipedia talk:Requests for mediation/The Beatles]] --> Notorious B.I.G.''', '''Biggie Smalls''',<ref name="v130">{{cite web | last=Kelly | first=Guy | title=Sean 'Diddy' Combs was an untouchable mogul. Now his world is crumbling | website=[[The Daily Telegraph]] | url-access=subscription | date=September 18, 2024 | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/news/sean-diddy-combs-rise-and-fall-me-too-rap-prince-harry/ | access-date=October 5, 2024 | archive-date=October 4, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241004225230/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/news/sean-diddy-combs-rise-and-fall-me-too-rap-prince-harry/ | url-status=live }}</ref> or simply '''Biggie''',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/n/notorious_big/news_feature_070305/index4.jhtml|title=Notorious B.I.G: in his own words, and those of his friends|date=March 7, 2007|website=[[MTV]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311080714/http://www.mtv.com/bands/n/notorious_big/news_feature_070305/index4.jhtml|archive-date=March 11, 2007|access-date=March 11, 2007}}</ref> was an American rapper. Rooted in the [[East Coast hip-hop]] and [[gangsta rap]] traditions, he is widely considered one of the greatest rappers of all time. Wallace became known for his distinctive, laidback lyrical delivery, offsetting his lyrics' often [[Hardcore hip-hop|grim content]]. His music was semi-autobiographical, telling of hardship and criminality but also of debauchery and celebration.
Wallace was born and raised in [[Brooklyn]], New York City. In 1993, he was the first artist to sign with [[Sean Combs|Sean "Puffy" Combs]]'s [[Bad Boy Records]] and gained recognition for his guest appearances on other artists' singles. His debut studio album, ''[[Ready to Die]]'' (1994), received acclaim and included the successful singles "[[Juicy (The Notorious B.I.G. song)|Juicy]]", "[[Big Poppa]]", and "[[One More Chance (The Notorious B.I.G. song)|One More Chance]]". ''Ready to Die'' made Wallace the central figure of East Coast hip-hop and helped restore its prominence at a time when the [[West Coast hip-hop|West Coast]] was dominating the genre. In 1995, Wallace was named Rapper of the Year at the [[Billboard Music Awards|''Billboard'' Music Awards]], and with his [[protégé]] group, [[Junior M.A.F.I.A.]]—which included longtime friends like [[Lil' Kim]]—released the album ''[[Conspiracy (Junior M.A.F.I.A. album)|Conspiracy]]'' (1995).
While working on his second album in 1995, Wallace became embroiled in the growing [[East Coast–West Coast hip-hop rivalry]], including a feud with his former friend [[Tupac Shakur]]. After Shakur was [[Murder of Tupac Shakur|murdered in a drive-by shooting]] in Las Vegas in September 1996, rumors circulated suggesting that Wallace might have been involved, given the two artists' feud. In March 1997, six months after Shakur's death, [[Murder of the Notorious B.I.G.|Wallace was also killed in a drive-by shooting]] in [[Los Angeles]] by an unknown assailant. Two weeks later, ''[[Life After Death]]'' (1997) was released as a posthumous double album; it debuted atop the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], yielded two [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]-number one singles: "[[Hypnotize (The Notorious B.I.G. song)|Hypnotize]]" and "[[Mo Money Mo Problems]]" (featuring Combs and [[Mase]]), and received [[RIAA certification|diamond]] certification by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA).
Two more posthumous albums followed, ''[[Duets: The Final Chapter]]'' (2005) and ''[[The King & I (Faith Evans and The Notorious B.I.G. album)|The King & I]]'' (with [[Faith Evans]]) (2017). Wallace's certified U.S. sales exceed 28{{nbsp}}million copies, including 21{{nbsp}}million albums. ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' called him the "greatest rapper that ever lived",<ref name="m649">{{cite magazine | title=50 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs of All Time | magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] | date=December 5, 2012 | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/the-50-greatest-hip-hop-songs-of-all-time-150547/notorious-b-i-g-juicy-96252/ | access-date=October 2, 2024 | archive-date=April 22, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422144120/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/the-50-greatest-hip-hop-songs-of-all-time-150547/notorious-b-i-g-juicy-96252/ | url-status=live }}</ref> and, in 2015, ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' named him [[Billboard and Vibe's 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time|the greatest rapper of all time]].<ref name="g236">{{cite magazine | title=Greatest of All Time | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | date=November 12, 2015 | url=https://www.billboard.com/photos/6723017/best-rappers-of-all-time/10 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151113193423/https://www.billboard.com/photos/6723017/best-rappers-of-all-time/10 | archive-date=13 November 2015 | url-status=dead | access-date=2 October 2024 | first1= Alex | last1=Gale |first2=Steven J.|last2=Horowitz}}</ref> [[The Source (magazine)|''The Source'']] named him the greatest rapper of all time in its 150th issue. In 2006, [[MTV]] ranked him at No. 3 on their list of The Greatest MCs of All Time, calling him possibly "the most skillful ever on the mic".<ref name="mtv greatest">{{cite web | title=MTV.com: The Greatest MCs Of All Time | website=[[MTV]] | date=2006 | url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/h/hip_hop_week/2006/emcees/index9.jhtml | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814085019/http://www.mtv.com/bands/h/hip_hop_week/2006/emcees/index9.jhtml | archive-date=August 14, 2011 | url-status=dead | access-date=October 2, 2024}}</ref> In 2020, he was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]].
== Life and career ==
=== 1972–1990: Early life ===
Christopher George Latore Wallace{{sfn|Wallace|McKenzie|Evans|2005|page=43}} was born at Cumberland Hospital in [[Brooklyn, New York]], on May 21, 1972.{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=15}} Wallace was the only child of [[Jamaicans|Jamaican]] immigrant parents;<ref name="d291">{{cite web | last=Murray | first=Noel | title=Review: 'Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell' reveals another side of the late Notorious B.I.G. | website=[[Los Angeles Times]] | date=March 1, 2021 | url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2021-03-01/review-biggie-i-got-a-story-to-tell-notorious-b-i-g-documentary | access-date=October 2, 2024 | archive-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007091344/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2021-03-01/review-biggie-i-got-a-story-to-tell-notorious-b-i-g-documentary | url-status=live }}</ref>{{sfn|Coker|2003|pages=14, 29}} his mother, Voletta Wallace (1947–2025),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Hilary |date=February 21, 2025 |title=Voletta Wallace, Notorious B.I.G.'s Mother, Dies at 78 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/voletta-wallace-dead-notorious-big-mother-1236143060/ |access-date=February 21, 2025 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |language=en-US |archive-date=February 21, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250221185548/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/voletta-wallace-dead-notorious-big-mother-1236143060/ |url-status=live }}</ref> was a preschool teacher,{{sfn|Scott|2014|page=193}}<ref>{{cite news|title=Mom of Notorious B.I.G. says she knows who killed her son|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/03/09/mom-of-notorious-b-i-g-says-she-knows-who-killed-her-son/|newspaper=[[The Mercury News]]|first=Tony|last=Hicks|date=March 9, 2017|url-access=subscription|access-date=October 2, 2024|archive-date=December 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206123217/https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/03/09/mom-of-notorious-b-i-g-says-she-knows-who-killed-her-son/|url-status=live}}</ref> while his father, Selwyn George Latore (1933–1996), was a welder and politician.{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=14}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/released-song-michael-jackson-fascinating-130000758.html|title=He released a song with Michael Jackson?! Fascinating facts The Notorious B.I.G. on the anniversary of his passing|date=March 9, 2022|website=[[Yahoo! News]]|access-date=October 2, 2024|archive-date=October 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007091222/https://uk.news.yahoo.com/released-song-michael-jackson-fascinating-130000758.html|url-status=live}}</ref> At the age of five, he began attending preschool at Quincy-Lexington Open Door Day Care Center, where he was already bigger than most of the other children.{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=18}} Three months before Wallace's third birthday, his father left the family, leaving his mother to raise him while working two jobs.{{sfn|Coker|2003|pages=16, 26}} He grew up in Brooklyn's [[Clinton Hill, Brooklyn|Clinton Hill]],{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=16}} near the border of [[Bedford-Stuyvesant]].{{sfn|Coker|2003|pages=15–16}} As a child, Wallace spent most of his time on [[Fulton Street (Brooklyn)|Fulton Street]], where he was introduced to [[drug dealing]], [[alcoholism]], and [[gambling]].{{sfn|Lang|2007|pages=4–5}} Raised as a [[Jehovah's Witness]],<ref name="d269">{{cite magazine | last=Hoffman | first=Claire | title=Prince's Life as a Jehovah's Witness: His Complicated and Ever-Evolving Faith | magazine=[[billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | date=April 28, 2016 | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/features/prince-jehovahs-witness-life-7348538/ | access-date=October 2, 2024 | archive-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007091222/https://www.billboard.com/music/features/prince-jehovahs-witness-life-7348538/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Wallace attended St. Peter Claver Church in Brooklyn, graduating from the parish elementary school in 1982.{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=19}} He excelled in the English subject at [[Queen of All Saints Church (Brooklyn)|Queen of All Saints Middle School]].<ref name="p749">{{cite web | title=The Biggie walk | website=[[Time Out (magazine)|Time Out]] | date=January 12, 2009 | url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/the-biggie-walk | access-date=October 2, 2024 | archive-date=June 25, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625154946/https://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/the-biggie-walk | url-status=live }}</ref> He attended [[George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School|Westinghouse High School]], a public school attended by several future celebrities, including [[Jay-Z]] and [[Busta Rhymes]].{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=28}}{{sfn|Lang|2007|page=5}}
{{Multiple image |align=right | direction = horizontal | total_width = 350
| image1 = Stevie Wonder 1994.jpg
| alt1 = Picture of a Stevie Wonder with dreadlocks smiling
| image2 = Marvin Gaye (1973 publicity photo).jpg
| alt2 = Picture of Marvin Gaye wearing a white hat with a slight smile
| footer = Growing up, Wallace listened to Black artists like [[Stevie Wonder]] (''left'') and [[Marvin Gaye]] (''right'').
}}
While attending Westinghouse High School, Wallace weighed {{convert|91|kg}},{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=28}} which earned him the nickname "Big".<ref name="rolling stone murder">{{cite magazine| url= https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/8898338/the_unsolved_mystery_of_the_notorious_big|title=The Unsolved Mystery of the Notorious B.I.G.| magazine= [[Rolling Stone]]|last= Sullivan| first= Randall|date=December 5, 2005|access-date=October 7, 2006| url-status= dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090429075620/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/8898338/the_unsolved_mystery_of_the_notorious_big| archive-date= April 29, 2009}}</ref> During this period, his interest in drug dealing intensified, having been influenced by the [[Crack epidemic in the United States|crack epidemic of the 1980s and 1990s]].{{sfn|Lang|2007|page=7}} A friend introduced him to buying and selling [[marijuana]] when he was around the age of twelve. Having grown up in a strict household, Wallace concealed the money he earned on the roof of his apartment.{{sfn|Lang|2007|page=7}}<ref name="o749"/> His mother had no idea about this; she only discovered it when he was twenty years old.<ref name="o749"/> Despite being an [[honor student]], Wallace dropped out of school at the age of sixteen due to his growing interest in drug dealing.{{sfn|Lang|2007|page=8}} In 1989, he was arrested in Brooklyn on weapons charges and sentenced to five years of probation. The following year, he was arrested for violating that probation.{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=40}}<ref name="u734">{{cite web | last=Marriott | first=Michel | title=The Short Life of a Rap Star, Shadowed by Many Troubles | website=[[The New York Times]] | date=March 17, 1997 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/17/nyregion/the-short-life-of-a-rap-star-shadowed-by-many-troubles.html | access-date=October 2, 2024 | archive-date=January 7, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107115819/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/17/nyregion/the-short-life-of-a-rap-star-shadowed-by-many-troubles.html | url-status=live }}</ref> A year later, Wallace was arrested in [[North Carolina]] for dealing [[crack cocaine]] and spent nine months in jail before making bail.<ref name="o749"/>
Early in his life, Wallace was influenced by Black artists like [[the Dramatics]], [[Blue Magic (band)|Blue Magic]], [[Teddy Pendergrass]], [[Stevie Wonder]], and [[Marvin Gaye]]. He was also well acquainted with the performances of [[Parliament-Funkadelic]], [[Earth, Wind & Fire]], [[Kool & the Gang]], and [[Chic (band)|Chic]]. During visits to [[Jamaica]] he was influenced by [[Music of Jamaica|its prominent native genres]], including [[jazz]], [[reggae]], [[soul music|soul]], and [[mento]].{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=46}} As Wallace entered adolescence, he started listening to artists like [[Run-DMC]] and [[LL Cool J]].{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=48}} Wallace adopted the [[stage name]] MC CWest and formed the Techniques with his two friends Michael Bynum and Hubert Sams. Wallace met [[Donald Harrison]], a [[saxophonist]] from [[New Orleans]], and the Techniques worked on their first songs together at Harrison's home studio.{{sfn|Coker|2003|pages=18, 49}} As the trio grew older, their interests shifted; Sams became focused on [[high school football]], while Bynum lost interest in the music industry.{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=50}} Wallace adopted his second stage name, Biggie Smalls, from [[Calvin Lockhart]]'s character in the 1975 film [[Let's Do It Again (1975 film)|''Let's Do It Again'']].{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=51}}
=== 1991–1994: Early career and first child ===
After his release from jail, Wallace produced his first [[demo tape]] in 1991 called ''Microphone Murderer'' with a [[disc jockey]] named 50 Grand.{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=52}}<ref name="v107">{{cite web | title=Remembering the life and legacy of The Notorious B.I.G. on what would've been his 52nd birthday | website=[[New York Daily News]] | date=May 21, 2023 | url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2023/05/21/the-notorious-big-looking-back-at-the-life-and-legacy-of-the-famed-brooklyn-rapper/ | access-date=October 2, 2024 | archive-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007090838/https://www.nydailynews.com/2023/05/21/the-notorious-big-looking-back-at-the-life-and-legacy-of-the-famed-brooklyn-rapper/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Although Wallace reportedly had little ambition for the tape, local disc jockey [[Mister Cee]], known for his work with [[Big Daddy Kane]] and [[Juice Crew|the Juice Crew]], discovered and promoted it.<ref name="c243">{{cite web | last=Brown | first=Preezy | title=The Notorious B.I.G.'s Demo Tape Collaborator "DJ 50 Grand" Dead At 55 | website=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]] | date=June 15, 2022 | url=https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/the-notorious-b-i-g-demo-tape-dj-50-grand-dead-1234669237/ | access-date=October 2, 2024 | archive-date=April 30, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430081003/https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/the-notorious-b-i-g-demo-tape-dj-50-grand-dead-1234669237/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Mister Cee sent the tape to Matteo Capoluongo, an editor at ''[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]]'' magazine, who featured the track in the "Unsigned Hype" section in March 1992, a chart dedicated to showcasing promising rappers.{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=55}}<ref name="c237">{{cite web | title=Unsigned Hype Revisited: The Notorious B.I.G. (March, 1992) | website=[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]] | date=August 6, 2014 | url=https://thesource.com/2014/08/06/unsigned-hype-revisited-the-notorious-b-i-g-march-1992/ | access-date=October 2, 2024 | archive-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007090541/https://thesource.com/2014/08/06/unsigned-hype-revisited-the-notorious-b-i-g-march-1992/ | url-status=live }}</ref> That year, Wallace started gaining exposure; after reading the "Unsigned Hype" section, [[Sean Combs|Sean "Puffy" Combs]] arranged to meet him.{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=56}}<ref name="i967">{{cite web | title=Biggie & P. Diddy's relationship: how did they meet & how many songs do they have together? | website=[[Capital Xtra]] | date=March 1, 2021 | url=https://www.capitalxtra.com/artists/diddy/news/biggie-relationship-songs-death/ | access-date=October 2, 2024 | archive-date=September 27, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240927234722/https://www.capitalxtra.com/artists/diddy/news/biggie-relationship-songs-death/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Combs connected Wallace to rhyme on the remix of [[Mary J. Blige]]'s hit "[[Real Love (Mary J. Blige song)|Real Love]]".{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=76}}
In 1992, Wallace's girlfriend, Jan Jackson,<ref name="p410">{{cite web | last=Beeck | first=Ellie | title=The Notorious B.I.G.'s 2 Kids: All About T'yanna and C.J. Wallace | website=[[People (magazine)|People]] | date=July 26, 2024 | url=https://people.com/notorious-big-kids-8639246 | access-date=October 2, 2024 | archive-date=October 4, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241004204841/https://people.com/notorious-big-kids-8639246 | url-status=live }}</ref> became pregnant, and he was signed to [[Uptown Records]] in March by Combs.{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=77}}<ref name="z654">{{cite web | last=Hatchman | first=Jonathan | title=The Notorious BIG – 10 of the best | website=[[The Guardian]] | date=December 16, 2015 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/dec/16/the-notorious-big-biggie-smalls-10-of-the-best | access-date=October 2, 2024 | archive-date=September 27, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927134639/https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/dec/16/the-notorious-big-biggie-smalls-10-of-the-best | url-status=live }}</ref> Wallace's first chance to record a solo track for Uptown Records, rather than featuring on another artist's remix, came in 1993 when Combs was creating a song for [[Who's the Man? (soundtrack)|the soundtrack]] of the [[hip-hop]] comedy ''[[Who's the Man?]]''. The song was "[[Party and Bullshit]]", produced by the Brooklyn-based [[Easy Mo Bee]].{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=80}} The song was heavily inspired by "When the Revolution Comes" by [[the Last Poets]], which uses sarcasm, frustration, and humor to critique young Black people's lack of seriousness in the struggle for equality. In the track, vocalist [[Umar Bin Hassan]] delivers lines like "niggas will party and bullshit, and party and bullshit".{{sfn|Coker|2003|pages=81}} Development on Wallace's first album began at Capoluongo's apartment in late 1992.{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=89}} Wallace appeared on [[Heavy D & the Boyz]]'s 1992 album ''[[Blue Funk]]'', on the track "A Buncha Niggas".{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=83}}
In July 1993—a month before Wallace's first child was born—Combs was fired from Uptown Records by his mentor [[Andre Harrell]], resulting in the loss of access to the songs recorded at that time. Jan gave birth to T'yanna Dream Wallace on August 8, 1993.{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=84}}{{sfn|Lang|2007|page=16}} Wallace promised his daughter "everything she wanted," believing that if he had experienced the same support in his own childhood, he would have graduated at the top of his class.<ref name="i673">{{cite magazine | last=Fernando | first=S.H. Jr. | title=The Notorious B.I.G. Is Living Large | magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] | date=June 1, 1995 | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-notorious-b-i-g-is-living-large-193171/ | access-date=October 3, 2024 | archive-date=March 13, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313234806/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-notorious-b-i-g-is-living-large-193171/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Soon after he was fired, Combs started his own record, [[Bad Boy Records]], and promptly signed Wallace to the label.<ref name="b481">{{cite web | last1=Gbogbo | first1=Mawunyo | last2=Winter | first2=Velvet | title=What's happening with Diddy? The past, present and future of Sean Combs | publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC News]] | date=September 25, 2024 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-25/what-did-p-diddy-do-federal-charges-jail-arrest/104388542 | access-date=October 4, 2024 | archive-date=October 4, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241004035827/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-25/what-did-p-diddy-do-federal-charges-jail-arrest/104388542 | url-status=live }}</ref> Combs discovered that Wallace continued dealing drugs and insisted he stop. When Wallace found out the name Biggie Smalls was already taken, he adopted a new moniker, settling on the Notorious B.I.G.{{sfn|Scott|2014|page=31}} Wallace explained that the [[acronym]] "B.I.G." stood for "Business Instead of Game".{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=103}} Combs and [[Clive Davis]], then CEO of [[Arista Records]], reached an agreement in which Davis provided Combs with a $1.5 million advance and full creative control. Combs promptly used the money to repurchase the tracks recorded for Wallace's album from Harrell.{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=89}}
The "Real Love" remix single was followed by a remix of a Mary J. Blige song, "[[What's the 411? Remix|What's the 411?]]".<ref name="z684">{{cite web | last=Renshaw | first=David | title=Mary J. Blige confirms HERstory Vol.1 box set details | website=[[The Fader]] | date=October 11, 2019 | url=https://www.thefader.com/2019/10/11/mary-j-blige-herstory-vol1-release-date-tracklist | access-date=October 4, 2024 | archive-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007091854/https://www.thefader.com/2019/10/11/mary-j-blige-herstory-vol1-release-date-tracklist | url-status=live }}</ref> Wallace's success continued, though to a lesser extent, with remixes of [[Neneh Cherry]]'s "[[Buddy X]]" and reggae artist [[Super Cat]]'s "[[Dolly My Baby]]" in 1993.{{sfn|Lang|2007|page=15}} In July 1994, Wallace appeared alongside [[LL Cool J]] and [[Busta Rhymes]] on a remix of [[Craig Mack]]'s track "[[Flava in Ya Ear]]", which reached No. 9 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref name="b734">{{cite web | last=Estevez | first=Marjua | title=Craig Mack And The Iconicity Of "Flava In Ya Ear (Remix)" | website=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]] | date=March 13, 2018 | url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/craig-mack-flava-in-ya-ear-bad-boy-classic-572809/ | access-date=October 4, 2024 | archive-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007094945/https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/craig-mack-flava-in-ya-ear-bad-boy-classic-572809/ | url-status=live }}</ref> "Flava in Ya Ear" reached No. 1 on the rap chart for three consecutive weeks.{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=112}}
=== 1994: ''Ready to Die'' and marriage to Faith Evans ===
[[File:Faith Evans 1998.jpg|thumb|left|upright|alt=Faith Evans wearing a fluffy black hat and jumper staring directly into the camera|[[Faith Evans]] (''pictured in 1998''), whom Wallace married in 1994]]
On August 4, 1994, Wallace married [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] singer [[Faith Evans]],{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=112}}<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Singer Faith Evans and husband agree to rehab|magazine=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]|page=58|volume=105|issue=8|issn=0021-5996|date=February 23, 2004}}</ref> whom he first met in June 1994 at a promotional photoshoot.{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=108}} Wallace and Mo Bee originally wanted "Machine Gun Funk" as the upcoming album's first single due to its "funky, upbeat" sound, but Combs preferred a "smoother" sound for the release.{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=99}} The upcoming album's first song to be released was the title track, "Ready to Die", followed by "Gimme the Loot", "Things Done Changed", "Machine Gun Funk", and "Warning".{{sfn|Coker|2003|pages=97, 104}}<ref name="xxl">{{cite web|last1=Duncan |first1=Andrea |title=The Making of 'Ready To Die': Family Business |url=http://xxlmag.com/online/?p=408 |website=[[XXL Mag]] |date=March 9, 2006|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061110093816/http://xxlmag.com/online/?p=408 |archive-date=November 10, 2006 |access-date=October 5, 2024}}</ref> Wallace had his first pop chart success as a solo artist with double A-side, "[[Juicy (The Notorious B.I.G. song)|Juicy]] / Unbelievable",{{sfn|Nance|2019|page=140}}<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Inside the charts|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=May 26, 2007|volume=119|issue=21|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> which reached No. 27 as the lead single to his debut album.<ref name="e100">{{cite magazine | last=Herbert | first=David Gauvey | title=The Notorious B.I.G. & 9/11: Radio Censorship, Illuminati Conspiracy Theories and Everything In Between | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | date=April 18, 2017 | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/notorious-big-juicy-biggie-9-11-radio-censorship-7767469/ | access-date=October 5, 2024}}</ref>
Recorded at [[the Hit Factory]] between 1993 and 1994, Wallace released his debut studio album, ''[[Ready to Die]]'', on September 13, 1994.{{sfn|Lang|2007|page=29}} Inspired by [[Snoop Dogg]]'s bold, violent, and darkly humorous hit records, Wallace sought to create a similar style with ''Ready to Die'', infused with an East Coast influence.{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=95}} Wallace originally wanted to name the album ''The Teflon Don'', drawing inspiration from [[John Gotti]], who was then making headlines for his ability to avoid legal troubles. Combs disagreed, arguing that the title should make an impact in a way that would "represent for the masses". Wallace agreed to follow Combs' decision, and the two conceived the name ''Ready to Die''.{{sfn|Coker|2003|pages=96–97}}
''Ready to Die'' reached No. 15 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart,<ref name="q277">{{cite magazine | last=Saponara | first=Michael | title=The Notorious B.I.G.'s 'Ready to Die' Is Getting a 30th Anniversary Limited-Edition Reissue | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | date=July 10, 2024 | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/the-notorious-big-ready-to-die-30th-anniversary-reissue-1235727937/ | access-date=October 4, 2024 | archive-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007091723/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/the-notorious-big-ready-to-die-30th-anniversary-reissue-1235727937/ | url-status=live }}</ref> sold 500,000 copies in its first week,{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=114}} and was certified four times [[RIAA certification|platinum]].<ref name="t749"/> The album shifted attention back to [[East Coast hip-hop]] at a time when [[West Coast hip-hop]] dominated U.S. charts.{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=143}}<ref name="f960">{{cite magazine | last=Williams | first=Stereo | title=Notorious B.I.G.'s 'Ready To Die' Changed the Course of Hip-Hop History 25 Years Ago | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | date=September 13, 2019 | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/notorious-big-ready-to-die-25th-anniversary-8529903/ | access-date=October 5, 2024 | archive-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007101138/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/notorious-big-ready-to-die-25th-anniversary-8529903/ | url-status=live }}</ref> It received positive reviews upon release and has been widely praised in retrospect.<ref name="w527">{{cite web | last1=Tyrangiel | first1=Josh | last2=Light | first2=Alan | title=All-time 100 Best Albums? | magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] | date=November 2, 2006 | url=https://entertainment.time.com/2006/11/02/the-all-time-100-albums/slide/all/ | access-date=October 5, 2024 | archive-date=November 12, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112012135/https://entertainment.time.com/2006/11/02/the-all-time-100-albums/slide/all/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="b906">{{cite magazine | author=Rolling Stone | title=The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time | magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] | date=December 31, 2023 | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-of-all-time-1062063/ | access-date=October 5, 2024 | archive-date=September 22, 2020 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20200922150118/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-of-all-time-1062063/roberta-flack-first-take-1062782/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="f187">{{cite web | title=The 36 best hip-hop albums for a journey through rap history | website=[[GQ (magazine)|GQ]] | date=May 22, 2020 | url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/best-hip-hop-albums | access-date=October 5, 2024 | archive-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007094009/https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/best-hip-hop-albums | url-status=live }}</ref> In addition to "Juicy", the album produced two other hit singles: the platinum-selling "[[Big Poppa]]", which topped the U.S. rap chart;<ref name="l905">{{cite web | last=Smith | first=Harrison | title=Chucky Thompson: Producer who reshaped Nineties R&B and hip-hop | website=[[The Independent]] | date=August 12, 2021 | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/chucky-thompson-producer-obituary-death-b1900669.html | access-date=October 5, 2024 | archive-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007093843/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/chucky-thompson-producer-obituary-death-b1900669.html | url-status=live }}</ref> and "[[One More Chance (The Notorious B.I.G. song)|One More Chance]]", which sold one{{nbsp}}million copies in 1995 (the year of its release).<ref name="u907">{{cite web | title=Gold & Platinum | publisher=[[RIAA]] | date=May 31, 2024 | url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=notorious#search_section | access-date=October 5, 2024 | archive-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007092704/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=notorious#search_section | url-status=live }}</ref> Busta Rhymes recalled seeing Wallace handing out copies of ''Ready to Die'' from his home, which the former saw as "his way of marketing himself".<ref name="n459">{{cite web | last=Daly | first=Rhian | title=The Notorious B.I.G.'s 'Ready To Die' at 25: 9 surprising things about the era-defining album | website=[[NME]] | date=September 10, 2019 | url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/the-notoroious-b-i-g-ready-to-die-25-9-surprising-things-era-defining-album-2546691 | access-date=October 5, 2024 | archive-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007094552/https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/the-notoroious-b-i-g-ready-to-die-25-9-surprising-things-era-defining-album-2546691 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="a914">{{cite web | last=Luling | first=Todd Van | title=5 Things You Didn't Know About The Notorious B.I.G. | website=[[HuffPost]] | date=March 9, 2015 | url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/notorious-big-trivia_n_6819184 | access-date=October 5, 2024}}</ref> In 1994, Wallace formed the hip-hop group [[Junior M.A.F.I.A.]],<ref name="j092">{{cite web | last=Abraham | first=Mya | title=7 Rappers Directly Influenced By Lil' Kim: Cardi B, Nicki Minaj And More | website=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]] | date=July 11, 2023 | url=https://www.vibe.com/lists/rappers-infuenced-by-lil-kim/ | access-date=October 6, 2024 | archive-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007172642/https://www.vibe.com/lists/rappers-infuenced-by-lil-kim/ | url-status=live }}</ref> which included many of his childhood friends, such as [[Lil' Kim]] and Lil' Cease.<ref name="x724">{{cite web | last=Fitzgerald | first=Trent | title=Junior M.A.F.I.A. Drop Their Debut Album Conspiracy | website=[[XXL Mag]] | date=August 29, 2023 | url=https://www.xxlmag.com/junior-mafia-conspiracy-album/ | access-date=October 6, 2024 | archive-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007101728/https://www.xxlmag.com/junior-mafia-conspiracy-album/ | url-status=live }}</ref> The name is a [[backronym]] for "Masters at Finding Intelligent Attitudes".<ref name="p579">{{cite web | url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/the_regal_life_of_queen_bee_lil_kim | title=The Regal Life of Queen Bee Lil' Kim | website=[[Exclaim!]] | first=Erin | last=Lowers | date=October 9, 2019 | access-date=October 6, 2024 | archive-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007103944/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/the_regal_life_of_queen_bee_lil_kim | url-status=live }}</ref>
Around the time of the album's release, Wallace formed a friendship with fellow rapper [[Tupac Shakur]] in [[Los Angeles]].<ref name="z553">{{cite web | last=Westhoff | first=Ben | title=How Tupac and Biggie Went from Friends to Deadly Rivals | website=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]] | date=September 12, 2016 | url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/tupac-biggie-friends-to-foes/ | access-date=October 5, 2024 | archive-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007092355/https://www.vice.com/en/article/tupac-biggie-friends-to-foes/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="q452"/> [[Lil' Cease]] remembered the two as being very close, often traveling together when they were not working. He noted that Wallace frequently visited Shakur's home, and they spent time together whenever Shakur was in [[California]] or [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1641726/tupac-and-biggie-probably-celebrated-birthdays-together-lil-cease-says/|title=Tupac And Biggie Probably Celebrated Birthdays Together, Lil' Cease Says|date=June 16, 2010|publisher=MTV|first=Mawuse|last=Ziegbe|access-date=January 19, 2015|archive-date=April 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150421095710/http://www.mtv.com/news/1641726/tupac-and-biggie-probably-celebrated-birthdays-together-lil-cease-says/|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Yukmouth]], an Oakland emcee, stated that Wallace's style was influenced by Shakur.<ref name="d835">{{cite web | first=Yohance | last=Kyles | title=Yukmouth Talks Tupac's Impact On Hip Hop; Says Pac Influenced Biggie's Style | website=[[AllHipHop]] | date=January 19, 2015 | url=https://allhiphop.com/news/yukmouth-2pac-impact-notorious-big-versace/ | access-date=October 5, 2024 | archive-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007092356/https://allhiphop.com/news/yukmouth-2pac-impact-notorious-big-versace/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Wallace also befriended basketball player [[Shaquille O'Neal]]. O'Neal said they were introduced during a listening session for "Gimme the Loot"; Wallace mentioned him in the lyrics and attracted O'Neal to his music. O'Neal requested a collaboration with Wallace, which resulted in the song "[[You Can't Stop the Reign (song)|You Can't Stop the Reign]]". According to Combs, Wallace would not collaborate with "anybody he didn't really respect" and that Wallace paid O'Neal his respect by "shouting him out".<ref name="p718">{{cite web | last=Muhammad | first=Latifah | title=Shaq Remembers Friendship With Notorious B.I.G. | website=[[The Boombox]] | date=March 8, 2011 | url=https://theboombox.com/shaq-remembers-notorious-b-i-g/ | access-date=October 5, 2024 | archive-date=April 5, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405201111/https://theboombox.com/shaq-remembers-notorious-b-i-g/ | url-status=live }}</ref> In 2015, [[Daz Dillinger]], a frequent collaborator with Shakur, said that he and Wallace were "cool", with Wallace traveling to meet him to smoke [[Cannabis (drug)|cannabis]] and record two songs.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.33577/title.daz-dillinger-details-recording-with-the-notorious-b-i-g|title=Daz Dillinger Details Recording With The Notorious B.I.G.|date=April 25, 2015|website=[[HipHopDX]]|first=Christopher|last=Harris|access-date=April 25, 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150425224526/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.33577/title.daz-dillinger-details-recording-with-the-notorious-b-i-g|archive-date=April 25, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
=== 1995: Collaboration with Michael Jackson, Junior M.A.F.I.A. success, and coastal feud ===
Junior M.A.F.I.A. began working on their debut studio album in 1994. On August 29, 1995, ''[[Conspiracy (Junior M.A.F.I.A. album)|Conspiracy]]'' was released via [[Undeas Recordings]].<ref name="x724"/> It achieved [[RIAA certification|gold]] certification<ref name="t083">{{cite web | title=Gold & Platinum | publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of America]] | url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Junior+M.A.F.I.A.&ti=Conspiracy&format=Album#search_section | access-date=October 6, 2024 | archive-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007101453/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Junior%20M.A.F.I.A.&ti=Conspiracy&format=Album#search_section | url-status=live }}</ref> and sold over 500,000 copies.{{sfn|Ro|2002|page=67}} The first single, "[[Player's Anthem]]", features Wallace, Lil' Kim, and Lil' Cease, and was produced by [[Clark Kent (producer)|Clark Kent]]. The third single, "[[Get Money]]", a battle-of-the-sexes track featuring Wallace and Lil' Kim, became their most popular song. "Player's Anthem" and "Get Money" charted within the top 20 in the US and also earned gold and platinum status, respectively.<ref name="v397">{{cite web | title=Gold & Platinum | publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of America]] | url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=junior+m.a.f.i.a#search_section | access-date=October 6, 2024 | archive-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007102922/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=junior+m.a.f.i.a#search_section | url-status=live }}</ref> Wallace continued collaborating with R&B artists, working with groups like [[112 (band)|112]] on "[[Only You (112 song)|Only You]]" and [[Total (girl group)|Total]] on "[[Can't You See (Total song)|Can't You See]]",<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Top 20 Singles|magazine=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]|date=September 2, 1996|volume=90|issue=16|issn=0021-5996|page=64}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Rhythm section|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=May 6, 1995|volume=107|issue=18|page=15|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> both of which reached the top 20 on the Hot 100.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Billboard Hot 100 Singles|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=August 3, 1996|volume=108|issue=31|issn=0006-2510|page=106}}</ref><ref name="f040">{{cite magazine | last=Josephs | first=Brian | title=The Notorious B.I.G.'s 25 Best Songs: Critic's Picks | magazine=[[billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | date=March 9, 2020 | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/the-notorious-big-25-best-songs-list-8457034/ | access-date=October 6, 2024 | archive-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007101716/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/the-notorious-big-25-best-songs-list-8457034/ | url-status=live }}</ref> By the end of the year, Wallace had become the top-selling male solo artist and rapper on both the U.S. pop and R&B charts.<ref name="m172">{{cite web | title=The Notorious B.I.G. | website=[[AllMusic]] | url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-notorious-big-mn0000892827 | access-date=October 6, 2024 | archive-date=July 6, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230706035749/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-notorious-big-mn0000892827 | url-status=live }}</ref> In July 1995, Wallace appeared on the cover of ''The Source'' with the caption "The King of New York Takes Over," a nod to his alias Frank White, inspired by the character from the 1990 film ''[[King of New York]]''.<ref name="q685"/><ref name="g601">{{cite web | first=C. | last=Vernon Coleman | title=A History of Rappers Calling Themselves the King of New York | website=[[XXL Mag]] | date=March 29, 2019 | url=https://www.xxlmag.com/history-rappers-calling-themselves-king-new-york/ | access-date=October 6, 2024 | archive-date=June 6, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606033737/https://www.xxlmag.com/history-rappers-calling-themselves-king-new-york/ | url-status=live }}</ref> At [[1995 Source Awards|''The Source'' Awards]] in August 1995, he won Best New Artist, Lyricist of the Year, and Live Performer of the Year,<ref name="v107"/>{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=158}} while his debut album was named Album of the Year.<ref name="q945">{{cite magazine | last=Thompson | first=Ahmir "Questlove" | title=Questlove: The Day Hip-Hop Changed Forever | magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] | date=August 10, 2023 | url=https://time.com/6302777/questlove-hip-hop-legacy-essay/ | access-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-date=September 23, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923205736/https://time.com/6302777/questlove-hip-hop-legacy-essay/ | url-status=live }}</ref> He was also honored as Rap Artist of the Year at the [[Billboard Music Awards|''Billboard'' Awards]].<ref name="l622">{{cite web | title=Rap genius, or evil criminal? | website=[[BBC Radio]] | date=February 25, 2022 | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/mRfhy3yshZSfCJYThjVd8c/the-notorious-b-i-g-rap-genius-or-evil-criminal | access-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007104055/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/mRfhy3yshZSfCJYThjVd8c/the-notorious-b-i-g-rap-genius-or-evil-criminal | url-status=live }}</ref>
In 1995, Wallace became embroiled in the [[East Coast–West Coast hip-hop rivalry]], which involved his now-former friend, Shakur.<ref name="d704">{{cite web | last=Anderson | first=Joel | title=How Tupac's Death Affected Biggie | website=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] | date=December 11, 2019 | url=https://slate.com/culture/2019/12/tupac-death-biggie-reaction-slow-burn.html | access-date=October 7, 2024}}</ref>{{sfn|Perone|2012|page=102}} In an April 1995 interview with ''[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]'' while serving time in [[Clinton Correctional Facility]], Shakur accused Harrell, Combs, and Wallace of having prior knowledge of a robbery on November 30, 1994, during which he was shot five times and lost thousands of dollars worth of jewelry.<ref name="v156">{{cite web | last=Muhammad | first=Latifah | title=Tupac Shakur's Handwritten Prison Letter Sells For More Than $172K At Auction | website=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]] | date=October 30, 2016 | url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/tupac-shakur-handwritten-prison-letter-172k-463240/ | access-date=October 7, 2024}}</ref><ref name="x105">{{cite web | last=Powell | first=Kevin | title=Revisit Tupac's April 1995 Cover Story: "Ready to Live" | website=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]] | date=February 14, 2021 | url=https://www.vibe.com/features/editorial/tupac-april-1995-cover-story-ready-to-live-686969/ | access-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-date=November 25, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125013806/https://www.vibe.com/features/editorial/tupac-april-1995-cover-story-ready-to-live-686969/ | url-status=live }}</ref> They denied any involvement.<ref name="j339">{{cite web | last=Landrum | first=Jonathan Jr. | title=Inside the East vs. West rap rivalry that led to the murders of Tupac and Notorious B.I.G. in 1990s | website=[[AP News]] | date=October 12, 2023 | url=https://apnews.com/article/tupac-shakur-keffe-rap-rival-notorious-big-2567b97c8d1542fe6c7a0804aaa2b386 | access-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007104149/https://apnews.com/article/tupac-shakur-keffe-rap-rival-notorious-big-2567b97c8d1542fe6c7a0804aaa2b386 | url-status=live }}</ref> Wallace stated, "I had nothing to do with that, it just happened to be a coincidence that he was in the studio. He couldn't really say who really had something to do with it at the time, so he just kind of leaned the blame on me".<ref name="y682">{{cite web | last=Flowers | first=Garin | title=Tupac Shakur murder trial: The key players inside the explosive East Coast-West Coast rap beef | website=[[Yahoo! Entertainment]] | date=October 18, 2023 | url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tupac-shakur-notorious-big-east-coast-west-coast-rap-rivalry-180502682.html | access-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007104250/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tupac-shakur-notorious-big-east-coast-west-coast-rap-rivalry-180502682.html | url-status=live }}</ref> In 2012, Dexter Isaac, who was serving a life sentence for unrelated crimes, claimed responsibility for the attack on Shakur that night, stating that the robbery was orchestrated by entertainment executive and former drug trafficker [[Jimmy Henchman|James Rosemond]].<ref>{{cite news | title=Convicted Killer Confesses to Shooting West Coast Rapper Tupac Shakur | date=July 13, 2012 | newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]] | url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/ktla-inmate-confesses-to-shooting-tupac,0,7066977.story | access-date=August 21, 2012 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829192529/http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/ktla-inmate-confesses-to-shooting-tupac,0,7066977.story | archive-date=August 29, 2012 | df=mdy-all}}</ref> After his release from prison, Shakur signed with [[Death Row Records]] in October 1995.<ref name="p886">{{cite web | title=Tupac Shakur | website=[[ABC Listen]] | date=September 13, 2018 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/the-j-files/tupac-shakur/10213020 | access-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-date=May 27, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527044404/https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/the-j-files/tupac-shakur/10213020 | url-status=live }}</ref> This made Bad Boy Records and Death Row business rivals, further escalating the conflict between Shakur and Wallace.<ref name="l392">{{cite web | title=Death Row-Bad Boy Feud | website=[[Los Angeles Times]] | url-access=subscription | date=September 7, 2002 | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-sep-07-gr-tupacfeud7-story.html | access-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007113006/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-sep-07-gr-tupacfeud7-story.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="u037">{{cite web | last=Elibert | first=Mark | title=2Pac's Brother Says He Was 'Considering' Signing to Bad Boy Records Before Joining Death Row | website=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] | date=October 18, 2023 | url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/markelibert/2pac-considered-signing-bad-boy | access-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007113006/https://www.complex.com/music/a/markelibert/2pac-considered-signing-bad-boy | url-status=live }}</ref>
In October 1995, Wallace revealed that he still had not received any earnings from ''Ready to Die'', despite the album having sold two{{nbsp}}million copies at the time. With each CD priced at $15 ({{Inflation|US|15|1994|fmt=eq}}), the album should have generated approximately $30 million (${{Inflation|US-GDP|30|1994|fmt=c}}{{nbsp}}million in {{Inflation/year|US}}) in revenue.{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=146}} Amid the rivalry between Wallace and Shakur, many speculated that "[[Who Shot Ya?]]", released in late February 1995 as a secondary [[A-side and B-side|B-side]] to "Big Poppa", was intended to taunt Shakur.<ref name="t086">{{cite web | last=Anderson | first=Joel | title=The B-Side That Deepened Biggie and Tupac's Rift | website=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] | date=November 13, 2019 | url=https://slate.com/culture/2019/11/slow-burn-tupac-biggie-who-shot-ya-vibe-escalation.html | access-date=October 7, 2024}}</ref>{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=150}} According to Lil' Cease, the song was not intended to be a comment on the shooting, stating, "He knew that song wasn't about him{{nbsp}}[...] he was around at that time". Lil' Cease stated that the song was an introduction for Mary J. Blige's [[My Life (Mary J. Blige album)|second album]], however, "the shit was too hard, so Big kept it and said, 'I'm gonna put it out'".{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=151}}
[[File:Michael Jackson in 1988.jpg|thumb|right|upright|alt=Black and white picture of Michael Jackson singing into a microphone|Wallace worked with [[Michael Jackson]] (''pictured in 1988'') on ''[[HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I|HIStory Continues]]'' (1995).]]
In June 1995, Wallace guest appeared with pop singer [[Michael Jackson]] on the album ''[[HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I|HIStory Continues]]'', providing vocals for the song "[[This Time Around (Michael Jackson song)|This Time Around]]".<ref name="u834">{{cite web | last=Williams | first=Thomas Chatterton | title=Can 48 Artists in 14 Rooms Capture Michael Jackson? | website=[[The New York Times]] | date=July 20, 2018 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/20/arts/design/michael-jackson-london-national-portrait-gallery.html | access-date=October 8, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720105045/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/20/arts/design/michael-jackson-london-national-portrait-gallery.html | archive-date=July 20, 2018 | url-status=live}}</ref> Lil' Cease claimed that when Wallace met Jackson, he was made to stay behind, with Wallace explaining that he didn't "trust Michael with kids" due to the [[1993 Michael Jackson sexual abuse allegations|1993 child sexual abuse allegations against Jackson]].<ref name="b067">{{cite web | title=Lil Cease Says The Notorious B.I.G. Wouldn't Let Him Into Michael Jackson Recording Session | website=[[complex (magazine)|Complex]] | last=Ortiz | first=Edwin | date=October 1, 2013 | url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/edwin-ortiz/the-notorious-big-wouldnt-let-lil-cease-meet-michael-jackson | access-date=October 8, 2024}}</ref> The engineer John Van Nest recalled that Wallace was excited to meet Jackson and was nearly brought to tears when it happened.{{sfn|Vogel|2019|page=313}} Wallace began recording his second studio album in late 1995, working on it over the course of eighteen months in New York City, [[Trinidad]], and [[Los Angeles]]. The recording process was disrupted by injuries, legal issues, and the publicized hip-hop feud between Wallace and Shakur.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060324072026/http://xxlmag.com/online/?p=405|url=http://xxlmag.com/online/?p=405|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 24, 2006|title=The Making of Life After Death: Many Men|magazine=[[XXL Mag]]|date=March 9, 2006|access-date=October 7, 2024}}</ref>
=== 1996: More arrests, accusations regarding Shakur's death and second child ===
In 1996, Lil' Kim became pregnant with Wallace's child while the two were having a love affair, but she later decided to abort it.{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=174}}<ref name="i285">{{cite web | last=Josephs | first=Brian | title=Lil' Kim Was Too Pregnant to Finish "Crush on You," Which Is Why It Features Lil' Cease | website=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] | date=November 11, 2016 | url=https://www.spin.com/2016/11/lil-cease-crush-on-you-lil-kim-pregnant/ | access-date=October 9, 2024 | archive-date=May 20, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520162749/https://www.spin.com/2016/11/lil-cease-crush-on-you-lil-kim-pregnant/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Wallace also started a relationship with [[Charli Baltimore]], a Philadelphia native who portrayed Evans in the "Get Money" music video. Although Wallace shared his plans to include her in a supergroup called the Commission, she was aware that she was not the only woman in his life.{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=174}} On March 23, 1996, Wallace was arrested outside a Manhattan nightclub for chasing and threatening two fans who were asking for autographs, smashing the windows of their taxi, and punching one of them. He pleaded guilty to second-degree harassment and was sentenced to 100 hours of community service. Later that year, he was arrested at his home in [[Teaneck, New Jersey]], on drug and weapons possession charges.<ref name="u734"/><ref name="y196">{{cite web | last=Mahadevan | first=Tara | title=This Day In Rap History: The Notorious B.I.G. Was Arrested for Assault, Criminal Mischief, and Possession of a Weapon | website=[[complex (magazine)|Complex]] | date=March 23, 2014 | url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/cmplxtara-mahadevan/this-day-in-rap-history-notorious-big-arrested-march-23 | access-date=October 9, 2024 | archive-date=September 22, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922183853/https://www.complex.com/music/a/cmplxtara-mahadevan/this-day-in-rap-history-notorious-big-arrested-march-23 | url-status=live }}</ref>
At the [[Soul Train Music Awards]] in 1996, "One More Chance (Remix)" was nominated for [[Soul Train Music Award for Best Song of the Year|Song of the Year]] and received the R&B/Soul or Rap Song of the Year award in the same year.{{sfn|Coker|2003|pages=180–181}} In June 1996, Shakur released "[[Hit 'Em Up]]". A [[diss track]] directed towards Wallace and other East Coast rappers, Shakur claimed to have had an affair with Evans, who was estranged from Wallace at the time, and accused Wallace of copying his style and image.{{sfn|Davis|2013|page=405}}{{sfn|Whitaker|2014|page=259}}{{sfn|Robinson|2024|page=318}} Described as "manic", "Hit 'Em Up" disses Wallace, Combs, and their associates, including Junior M.A.F.I.A., Evans, and Bad Boy Records.{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=183}} In 1996, Wallace collaborated with rising rapper [[Jay-Z]] on his debut album, ''[[Reasonable Doubt (album)|Reasonable Doubt]]'', recording a duet titled "Brooklyn's Finest". The track used humor to address speculation surrounding Wallace and Shakur: "If Faith has twins, she'll probably have two Pacs. Get it? Tu{{nbsp}}... Pac's."{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=186}} According to Wallace, humor had always been his way of coping with hardship since elementary school, explaining, "I gotta make jokes about it [...] I can't be the [guy] running around all serious".{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=186}}
{{Quote box | bgcolor=#FFFFF0 |salign=center
|quote = I know so many niggas like him{{nbsp}}[...] so many rough, tough muthafuckas. When I heard he got shot, I was like, "He'll be out in the morning, smoking some weed, drinking Hennessy or whatever." You ain't thinking he going to die.
|source = Wallace on Shakur's death{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=5}}
|width = 30%
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On September 7, 1996, Shakur [[Murder of Tupac Shakur|was shot four times in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas and died six days later]].{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=191}}{{sfn|Sublette|2009|page=193}}{{sfn|Sandy|Daniels|2010|page=110}} Because of Shakur's accusations in his records, Wallace, along with other New York rappers like [[Mobb Deep]], [[Capone (rapper)|Capone]], and [[Noreaga]], became suspects in his murder.{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=192}} In a 2002 ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' series titled "Who Killed Tupac Shakur?", journalist [[Chuck Philips]] reported, based on police reports and multiple sources, that the shooting was carried out by the [[South Side Compton Crips|Southside Crips]], a Compton gang, seeking revenge for a beating Shakur had allegedly inflicted earlier that day. The report also claimed that Wallace had financed the gun used in the shooting.<ref name="Philips: Who killed Tupac Shakur">{{cite news|last=Philips|first=Chuck|title=Who Killed Tupac Shakur?|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-sep-06-fi-tupac6-story.html|access-date=July 15, 2012|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=September 6, 2002|archive-date=January 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107150700/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-sep-06-fi-tupac6-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Police probe in Tupac Shakur">{{cite news|last=Philips|first=Chuck|title=How Vegas police probe floundered in Tupac Shakur case|url=https://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-fi-tupac7sep07,0,6002100.story|access-date=July 23, 2012|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=September 7, 2002|archive-date=March 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318222341/http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-fi-tupac7sep07,0,6002100.story|url-status=live}}</ref> The night Shakur died, Wallace called Evans in tears; Evans recalled that "he was in shock{{nbsp}}[...] and it's fair to say he was probably afraid".{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=192}} Wallace expressed regret over Shakur's death but declined to attend his funeral when asked by a friend. He explained his decision by saying, "[Shakur] made my life miserable{{nbsp}}[...] he told lies, fucked with my marriage, [and] turned [my] fans against me".{{sfn|Tinsley|2022|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=tuc7EAAAQBAJ&pg=PT326 326]}}<ref name="d395">{{cite web | last=Anderson | first=Joel | title=Slow Burn Season 3, Episode 7: To Live and Die in L.A. | website=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] | date=February 14, 2020 | url=https://slate.com/culture/2020/02/transcript-of-slow-burn-season-3-episode-7.html | access-date=October 9, 2024}}</ref> The ''Los Angeles Times'' editor Mark Duvoisin stated that "Philips' story has withstood all challenges to its accuracy,{{nbsp}}[...] [and] remains the definitive account of the Shakur slaying".<ref name="i134">{{cite magazine | author=Rolling Stone | title=L.A. Times Responds to Biggie Story | magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] | date=January 12, 2006 | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/l-a-times-responds-to-biggie-story-113212/ | access-date=October 9, 2024 | archive-date=September 18, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918173041/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/l-a-times-responds-to-biggie-story-113212/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Wallace's family denied the report, providing documents that claimed he was in New Jersey at the time of the incident.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://people.com/people/article/0,,624628,00.html|title=B.I.G. Family Denies Tupac Murder Claim|first=Stephen M. | last=Silverman|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080321222244/https://people.com/people/article/0,,624628,00.html|archive-date=March 21, 2008|access-date=October 9, 2024|magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]]}}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' called the documents inconclusive, stating:<ref name="leland2002">{{cite news|last=Leland|first=John|title=New Theories Stir Speculation On Rap Deaths|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/07/arts/new-theories-stir-speculation-on-rap-deaths.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm|access-date=September 30, 2013|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=October 7, 2002|archive-date=October 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002202518/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/07/arts/new-theories-stir-speculation-on-rap-deaths.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="r359">{{cite web | title=Hip-hop's grassy knoll | website=[[Tampa Bay Times]] | date=September 3, 2005 | url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2002/10/14/hip-hop-s-grassy-knoll/ | access-date=October 10, 2024}}</ref>
<blockquote>The pages purport to be three computer printouts from Daddy's House, indicating that Wallace was in the studio recording a song called "Nasty Boy" on the night Shakur was shot. They indicate that Wallace "wrote half the session", was "in and out/sat around" and "laid down a ref", shorthand for a reference vocal, the equivalent of a first take. But nothing indicates when the documents were created. And Louis Alfred, the recording engineer listed on the sheets, said in an interview that he remembered recording the song with Wallace in a late-night session, not during the day. He could not recall the date of the session but said it was likely not the night Shakur was shot. "We would have heard about it", Mr. Alfred said.</blockquote>
[[Wayne Barrow]], Wallace's co-manager at the time, stated that Wallace was recording the track "[[Nasty Girl (The Notorious B.I.G. song)|Nasty Girl]]" on the night Shakur was shot.<ref name="z382">{{cite web | title=Who Killed Tupac? 6 Suspects From The Biggest Conspiracy Theories | website=[[Capital Xtra]] | date=September 12, 2018 | url=https://www.capitalxtra.com/features/lists/who-killed-tupac-suspects-conspiracy-theories/ | access-date=October 10, 2024 | archive-date=April 24, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424040754/https://www.capitalxtra.com/features/lists/who-killed-tupac-suspects-conspiracy-theories/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Shortly after Shakur's death, Wallace met with [[Snoop Dogg]], who recalled that Wallace played him the song "Somebody's Gotta Die", which mentioned Snoop Dogg. During their meeting, Wallace expressed that he never hated Shakur.{{sfn|Chang|Cook|2021|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=_THoDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT158 158]}}<ref name="w912">{{cite web | title=New Music: Faith Evans & The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Snoop Dogg | website=[[Rap-Up]] | date=February 1, 2017 | url=https://www.rap-up.com/article/2017/02/01/new-music-faith-evans-notorious-big-snoop-dogg-when-we-party | access-date=October 10, 2024}}</ref> During the recording of his second album, ''[[Life After Death]]'', Wallace and Lil' Cease were arrested for public marijuana use, resulting in the repossession of their car. Wallace opted to rent a [[Chevrolet Lumina APV|Chevrolet Lumina]] rental SUV, despite Lil' Cease's concerns about its faulty brakes.<ref name="f818">{{cite web | last=Nelson Jr. | first=Keith | title=Exclusive: Lil Cease Tells The Story Of How He Crippled The Notorious B.I.G. | website=[[AllHipHop]] | date=October 2, 2013 | url=https://allhiphop.com/headlines/exclusive-lil-cease-tells-the-story-of-how-crippled-notorious-b-i-g-video/ | access-date=November 9, 2024 | archive-date=November 9, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109043600/https://allhiphop.com/headlines/exclusive-lil-cease-tells-the-story-of-how-crippled-notorious-b-i-g-video/ | url-status=live }}</ref> The car was ultimately crashed into a rail, breaking Wallace's left leg and fracturing Lil' Cease's jaw.<ref name="v297">{{cite web | last=Ahmed | first=Insanul | title=Injury Report: When Rappers Get Hurt From Accidents | website=[[complex (magazine)|Complex]] | date=June 6, 2011 | url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/insanul-ahmed/when-rappers-get-hurt-from-accidents | access-date=November 9, 2024}}</ref><ref name="z363">{{cite web | last=Harling | first=Danielle | title=Lil Cease Says The Notorious B.I.G. Wrote A Portion Of "Life After Death" While Hospitalized | website=[[HipHopDX]] | date=February 9, 2015 | url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.32471/title.lil-cease-says-the-notorious-b-i-g-wrote-a-portion-of-life-after-death-while-hospitalized | access-date=November 9, 2024 | archive-date=August 9, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809113225/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.32471/title.lil-cease-says-the-notorious-b-i-g-wrote-a-portion-of-life-after-death-while-hospitalized | url-status=live }}</ref> Wallace spent months in the hospital, initially confined to a wheelchair,<ref name="u384">{{cite web | title=Biggie had to use a cane for the last few months of his life. | publisher=[[Capital XTRA]] | date=February 25, 2021 | url=https://www.capitalxtra.com/features/lists/notorious-big-facts/used-cane/ | access-date=November 9, 2024 | archive-date=November 9, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109044739/https://www.capitalxtra.com/features/lists/notorious-big-facts/used-cane/ | url-status=live }}</ref> later relying on a cane (which he used until his death), and undergoing therapy.<ref name="q452">{{cite web | last=Mosley | first=Tonya | title=As hip-hop turns 50, Biggie Smalls' legacy reminds us of what the genre has survived | publisher=[[NPR]] | date=August 23, 2023 | url=https://www.npr.org/2023/08/23/1195414007/hip-hop-biggie-smalls-notorious-ready-to-die-justin-tinsley | access-date=November 9, 2024 | archive-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007213129/https://www.npr.org/2023/08/23/1195414007/hip-hop-biggie-smalls-notorious-ready-to-die-justin-tinsley | url-status=live }}</ref> Despite his hospitalization, he continued working on the album, referencing the accident in "Long Kiss Goodnight" with the line, "Ya still tickle me, I used to be as strong as Ripple be / Til Lil' Cease crippled me".<ref name="z363"/>
On October 29, 1996, Evans gave birth to Wallace's son, [[Christopher Wallace Jr.|Christopher "C.J." Wallace Jr]].{{sfn|Katz|2010|page=364}}{{sfn|Schaller Jr.|2009|page=44}} Around this time, Wallace began recording the songs for ''Life After Death''.{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=208}} The following month, Junior M.A.F.I.A. member Lil' Kim released her debut album ''[[Hard Core (Lil' Kim album)|Hard Core]]''.<ref name="n788">{{cite web | title=Lil' Kim's Hard Core was a defining moment for female sexual agency in hip-hop | website=[[Crack (magazine)|Crack]] | url=https://crackmagazine.net/article/long-reads/lil-kims-hard-core-was-a-defining-moment-for-female-sexual-agency-in-hip-hop/ | access-date=October 10, 2024 | archive-date=April 15, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240415212457/https://crackmagazine.net/article/long-reads/lil-kims-hard-core-was-a-defining-moment-for-female-sexual-agency-in-hip-hop/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Lil' Kim described herself as Wallace's "biggest fan" and referred to herself as "his pride and joy".<ref>{{cite news|first=Rob|last=Markman|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1680799/notorious-big-kanye-west-lil-kim/|title=Notorious B.I.G. Would Have Worked With Kanye West, Lil' Kim Says|date=March 9, 2012|publisher=[[MTV]]|access-date=September 27, 2014|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143828/http://www.mtv.com/news/1680799/notorious-big-kanye-west-lil-kim/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="r036">{{cite web | title=Notorious B.I.G.: Sean "Diddy" Combs, Li'l Kim and More Pay Tribute on 15th Anniversary of His Death | magazine=[[E!]] | date=March 9, 2012 | url=https://www.eonline.com/news/300108/notorious-b-i-g-sean-diddy-combs-li-l-kim-and-more-pay-tribute-on-15th-anniversary-of-his-death | access-date=October 10, 2024 | archive-date=November 17, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241117234154/https://www.eonline.com/news/300108/notorious-b-i-g-sean-diddy-combs-li-l-kim-and-more-pay-tribute-on-15th-anniversary-of-his-death | url-status=live }}</ref> In a 2012 interview, Lil' Kim revealed that Wallace stopped her from recording a remix of [[Jodeci]]'s single "[[Love U 4 Life]]" by locking her in a room. According to Kim, Wallace told her she was "not gonna go do no song with them", likely due to Jodeci's association with Shakur and Death Row Records.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1681184/notorious-big-lil-kim-jodeci-collabo/|title=Notorious B.I.G. 'Locked' Lil' Kim In A Room To Prevent Jodeci Collabo|date=March 15, 2012|website=[[MTV]]|first=Rob|last=Markman|access-date=September 21, 2014|archive-date=August 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812214202/http://www.mtv.com/news/1681184/notorious-big-lil-kim-jodeci-collabo/|url-status=dead}}</ref> While working on ''Life After Death'', Wallace began to lose weight, losing around {{convert|30|lb}}, according to his mother.{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=213}}
=== 1997: Conclusion of development on ''Life After Death'' ===
{{Quote box | bgcolor=#FFFFF0 |salign=center
|quote = I called this album ''Life After Death'' because when I was writing things like "Fuck the world, fuck my mom, and my girl," There was nothing but anger coming out about everything: about having to go out to sell crack, to hustle for a living. Nothing but anger. But now I can't do that anymore.
|source = Wallace the album's title{{sfn|Coker|2003|pages=212–213}}
|width = 30%
|align = right
}}
In January 1997, Wallace was ordered to pay $41,000 in damages following an incident involving a friend of a concert promoter who claimed Wallace and his entourage beat him following a dispute in May 1995.<ref>{{cite news| url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1425841/notorious-big-loses-lawsuit.jhtml| title= Notorious B.I.G. Loses Lawsuit| publisher= [[MTV News]]| date= January 27, 1997| access-date= December 23, 2006| archive-date= April 7, 2014| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140407060750/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1425841/notorious-big-loses-lawsuit.jhtml| url-status= dead}}</ref> He faced [[assault|criminal assault]] charges for the incident, which remains unresolved, but all robbery charges were dropped.<ref name="ny times short life">{{cite news| last= Marriott| first= Michel| date= March 17, 1997| url= https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/17/nyregion/the-short-life-of-a-rap-star-shadowed-by-many-troubles.html| title= The Short Life of a Rap Star, Shadowed by Many Troubles| work= The New York Times| access-date= March 26, 2008| archive-date= January 7, 2019| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190107115819/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/17/nyregion/the-short-life-of-a-rap-star-shadowed-by-many-troubles.html| url-status= live}}</ref> Following the events, Wallace spoke of a desire to focus on his "peace of mind" and his family and friends.{{sfn|Brown|2004|page=122}}
The development of ''Life After Death'' concluded in January 1997 for a March 25 release.{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=217}} In February 1997, Wallace traveled to California to promote ''Life After Death''.<ref name="n271">{{cite web | title=Today In Hip Hop History: 23 Years Ago Notorious B.I.G. Was Murdered | website=[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]] | date=March 9, 2020 | url=https://thesource.com/2020/03/09/today-in-hip-hop-history-23-years-ago-notorious-b-i-g-was-murdered/ | access-date=November 9, 2024 | archive-date=November 9, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109100804/https://thesource.com/2020/03/09/today-in-hip-hop-history-23-years-ago-notorious-b-i-g-was-murdered/ | url-status=live }}</ref> On the morning of February 16, Wallace began preparations for the day's work. He had arrived in Los Angeles two weeks before the Soul Train Music Awards to film the video for his album's lead single, "[[Hypnotize (The Notorious B.I.G. song)|Hypnotize]]". The three-day shoot, with a budget of $700,000, was both a promotional effort and a statement of his return to the music scene.{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=226}} "Hypnotize" was officially released on March 4, 1997,<ref name="d084"/> debuting at number two in the US, just behind Combs' "[[Can't Nobody Hold Me Down]]". "Hypnotize" later reached number one.<ref name="d084">{{cite web | last=Breihan | first=Tom | title=The Number Ones: The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Hypnotize" | website=[[Stereogum]] | date=May 4, 2022 | url=https://www.stereogum.com/2185381/the-number-ones-the-notorious-b-i-g-s-hypnotize/columns/the-number-ones/ | access-date=November 9, 2024 | archive-date=November 28, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128100829/https://www.stereogum.com/2185381/the-number-ones-the-notorious-b-i-g-s-hypnotize/columns/the-number-ones/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
After production of the video had ended, Wallace recorded his vocals for Combs' upcoming album, ''Hell Up in Harlem'';{{sfn|Coker|2003|pages=230, 234}} following the former's death, the album was retitled ''[[No Way Out (Puff Daddy album)|No Way Out]]''. He posthumously featured on the tracks "[[Victory (Puff Daddy song)|Victory]]" and "[[It's All About the Benjamins]]".{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=238}}
==
{{main|Murder of the Notorious B.I.G.}}
[[File:"King of New York" Biggie Smalls.jpg|thumb|upright|right|alt=Photograph of Wallace staring at the camera, wearing a crown in a red background|Wallace in the iconic ''King of New York'' photograph by [[Barron Claiborne]], taken three days before his death in March 1997]]
On March 8, 1997, Wallace attended a [[Soul Train Music Awards|Soul Train Awards]] after-party hosted by [[Vibe (magazine)|''Vibe'']] and [[Qwest Records]] at the [[Petersen Automotive Museum]] in Los Angeles, California.<ref name="n888">{{cite web | last1=Lichtblau | first1=Eric | last2=Philips | first2=Chuck | last3=Coker | first3=Cheo Hodari | title=Gangsta rap performer Notorious B.I.G. slain | website=[[Los Angeles Times]] | date=March 10, 1997 | url=https://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-biggiephilips10mar1097-story.html | access-date=November 9, 2024 | archive-date=November 9, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109103043/https://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-biggiephilips10mar1097-story.html | url-status=live }}</ref>{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=239}}<ref name="d371">{{cite magazine | last=Charnas | first=Dan | title='We Changed Culture': An Oral History of Vibe Magazine | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | date=September 27, 2018 | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/vibe-magazine-oral-history-8477004/ | access-date=November 9, 2024 | archive-date=November 9, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109103029/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/vibe-magazine-oral-history-8477004/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Guests included Evans, [[Aaliyah]] and members of the [[Bloods]] and [[Crips]] gangs.<ref name="b466">{{cite magazine | last=Sullivan | first=Randall | title=The Unsolved Mystery of the Notorious B.I.G. | magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] | date=January 7, 2011 | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-unsolved-mystery-of-the-notorious-b-i-g-254712/ | access-date=November 9, 2024 | archive-date=August 17, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817104542/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-unsolved-mystery-of-the-notorious-b-i-g-254712/ | url-status=live }}</ref> With over 2,000 people overcrowding the venue, fire marshals shut it down at 12:35{{nbsp}}a.m. on March 9.{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=241}} After taking a few photos, Wallace and his crew headed downstairs to the [[Chevrolet Suburban]]s they had rented from [[Budget Rent a Car]].{{sfn|Coker|2003|page=241}} He traveled in the front passenger seat alongside associates Damion "D-Roc" Butler, Lil' Cease, and driver Gregory "G-Money" Young.<ref name="o072">{{cite web | last=Ford | first=Dana | title=Notorious B.I.G. autopsy released, 15 years after his death | publisher=[[CNN]] | date=December 8, 2012 | url=https://edition.cnn.com/2012/12/07/showbiz/notorious-big-autopsy/index.html | access-date=November 9, 2024 | archive-date=November 9, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109115912/https://edition.cnn.com/2012/12/07/showbiz/notorious-big-autopsy/index.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Combs traveled in the other Suburban with three bodyguards.<ref name="k239">{{cite magazine | last=Sullivan | first=Randall | title=The Unsolved Mystery of the Notorious B.I.G. | magazine=Rolling Stone | date=January 7, 2011 | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-unsolved-mystery-of-the-notorious-b-i-g-254712/2/ | access-date=November 9, 2024 | archive-date=November 9, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109115114/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-unsolved-mystery-of-the-notorious-b-i-g-254712/2/ | url-status=live }}</ref> The two trucks were trailed by a Chevrolet Blazer carrying Bad Boy director of security Paul Offord.<ref name="v289">{{cite web | title=All the Questions Still Lingering Since the Notorious B.I.G.'s Death | website=[[E! Online]] | first=Billy | last=Niles | date=March 9, 2019 | url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1021619/all-the-questions-still-lingering-since-the-notorious-b-i-g-s-death | access-date=November 9, 2024 | archive-date=November 9, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109115856/https://www.eonline.com/news/1021619/all-the-questions-still-lingering-since-the-notorious-b-i-g-s-death | url-status=live }}</ref>
Soon after Wallace's Suburban stopped at the red light, a black [[Chevrolet Impala]] pulled up to the right side of the car Wallace was in.{{sfn|Coker|2003|p=243}} The Impala's driver, described as an unidentified African-American man in a blue suit and bow tie, rolled down his window, drew a [[9×19 Parabellum|9mm]] blue-steel [[pistol]], and fired at Wallace's vehicle. Wallace was struck by four bullets. His entourage rushed him to [[Cedars-Sinai Medical Center]], where an emergency thoracotomy was performed, but he was pronounced dead at 1:15 a.m.<ref name="e526">{{cite magazine | last=Sullivan | first=Randall | title=The Unsolved Mystery of the Notorious B.I.G. | magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] | date=January 7, 2011 | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-unsolved-mystery-of-the-notorious-b-i-g-254712/3/ | access-date=November 9, 2024 | archive-date=November 9, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109122307/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-unsolved-mystery-of-the-notorious-b-i-g-254712/3/ | url-status=live }}</ref> He was twenty-four years old.{{sfn|Coker|2003|p=244}}{{sfn|Ro|2002|p=102}} An autopsy report, released fifteen years after his death, revealed that only the final shot proved fatal. The bullet entered through his right [[hip]], damaging his [[colon (anatomy)|colon]], [[liver]], [[heart]], and left [[lung]] before coming to rest in his left shoulder.<ref name="p132">{{cite web | title=Notorious B.I.G. Autopsy Report Released | website=[[HipHopDX]] | first=Steven | last=Horowitz | date=December 6, 2012 | url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.22133/title.notorious-b-i-g-autopsy-report-released | access-date=November 9, 2024 | archive-date=December 2, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202224242/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.22133/title.notorious-b-i-g-autopsy-report-released | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="i372">{{cite web | last=Cooper | first=Leonie | title=Notorious BIG's autopsy report revealed | publisher=[[NME]] | date=December 7, 2012 | url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/notorious-big-9-1254426 | access-date=November 9, 2024}}</ref>
Wallace's funeral was held at the [[Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel]] in [[Manhattan]] on March 18.{{sfn|Tinsley|2022|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=tuc7EAAAQBAJ&pg=PT376 376]}}<ref name="l296">{{cite web | title=The Notorious B.I.G.: Life and legacy of a Brooklyn hero | website=[[New York Daily News]] | date=March 8, 2023 | url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2023/03/08/the-notorious-big-life-and-legacy-of-a-brooklyn-hero/ | access-date=November 9, 2024}}</ref> There were more than 350 mourners at the funeral,{{sfn|Coker|2003|p=254}}<ref name="t931">{{cite web | last=Fisher | first=Ian | title=On Rap Star's Final Ride, Homage Is Marred by a Scuffle | website=[[The New York Times]] | date=March 19, 1997 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/19/nyregion/on-rap-star-s-final-ride-homage-is-marred-by-a-scuffle.html | access-date=November 9, 2024 | archive-date=November 9, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109134124/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/19/nyregion/on-rap-star-s-final-ride-homage-is-marred-by-a-scuffle.html | url-status=live }}</ref> including Lil' Cease, [[Queen Latifah]], [[Flavor Flav]], [[Mary J. Blige]], [[Lil' Kim]], [[Run-D.M.C.]], [[DJ Kool Herc]], [[Busta Rhymes]], [[Salt-N-Pepa]], [[DJ Spinderella]], [[Foxy Brown (rapper)|Foxy Brown]], and [[Sister Souljah]].<ref name="n331">{{cite web | last=Italie | first=Leanne | title=The days the music died: A look at funerals of the greats | website=[[The Detroit News]] | date=August 29, 2018 | url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/music/2018/08/29/days-music-died-look-funerals-greats/37651599/ | access-date=November 9, 2024}}</ref>{{sfn|McClafferty|Torres|Mitchell|2000|p=263}} [[David Dinkins]] and [[Clive Davis]] also attended the funeral.{{sfn|Tinsley|2022|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=tuc7EAAAQBAJ&pg=PT376 376]}} After the funeral, his body was [[Cremation|cremated]] at the Fresh Pond Crematory in [[Fresh Pond, Queens]],{{sfn|Brown|2004|p=139}}<ref name="a080">{{cite web | title=Biggie's body is carried through his Brooklyn home, passing thousands of fans in 1997 | website=[[New York Daily News]] | date=March 19, 1997 | url=https://www.nydailynews.com/1997/03/19/biggies-body-is-carried-through-his-brooklyn-home-passing-thousands-of-fans-in-1997/ | access-date=November 9, 2024 | archive-date=November 9, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109135206/https://www.nydailynews.com/1997/03/19/biggies-body-is-carried-through-his-brooklyn-home-passing-thousands-of-fans-in-1997/ | url-status=live }}</ref> and the ashes were given to his family.<ref name="a080"/>
== Posthumous releases ==
Sixteen days after his death, Wallace's second studio album, ''Life After Death'', was released on March 25, 1997.<ref name="i437">{{cite web | last=Madden | first=Sidney | title=The Notorious B.I.G. Drops Life After Death Album | website=[[XXL Mag]] | date=March 25, 2023 | url=https://www.xxlmag.com/today-hip-hop-notorious-b-g-drops-life-death/ | access-date=November 9, 2024}}</ref> The album achieved four-time platinum certification and became the highest-selling release of the year, tying with [[MC Hammer]]'s ''[[Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em]]'' (1990) as one of the best-selling rap albums of all time at release. ''Life After Death'' debuted at No. 1 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].<ref name="y453">{{cite magazine | last=Aderoju | first=Darlene | title=Notorious B.I.G. Honored in Celebration of 50th Birthday With 25th-Anniversary 'Life After Death' Box Set | magazine=[[billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | date=February 23, 2022 | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/notorious-b-i-g-honored-50th-birthday-25th-anniversary-of-life-after-death-1235035226/ | access-date=November 12, 2024 | archive-date=November 13, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241113054622/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/notorious-b-i-g-honored-50th-birthday-25th-anniversary-of-life-after-death-1235035226/ | url-status=live }}</ref> It had briefly appeared earlier at No. 176 due to street-date violations.<ref name="d431">{{cite web | agency=[[Associated Press]] | first=Erik | last=Pedersen | title=Fans in touch with Radiohead's 'Rainbows' | website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] | date=January 10, 2008 | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/fans-touch-radioheads-rainbows-102204/ | access-date=November 12, 2024 | archive-date=November 13, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241113001301/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/fans-touch-radioheads-rainbows-102204/ | url-status=live }}</ref> The follow-up single of "Hypnotize", "[[Mo Money Mo Problems]]", featuring Combs and [[Mase]], became Wallace's biggest chart success, reaching No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, making him the first artist to achieve two posthumous No. 1 singles.<ref name="t749">{{cite web | last=Muhammad | first=Ismail | title=Mo Money Mo Problems by Notorious B.I.G. | publisher=[[PBS]] | date=May 31, 2017 | url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/songs-of-the-summer-1997/ | access-date=November 12, 2024 | archive-date=October 8, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008014839/https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/songs-of-the-summer-1997/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="b483">{{cite magazine | last=Zellner | first=Xander | title=XXXTentacion, The Notorious B.I.G. & Other Artists Who Hit No. 1 on the Hot 100 Posthumously | magazine=[[billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | date=June 27, 2018 | url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/artists-who-hit-no-1-hot-100-posthumously-xxxtentacion/ | access-date=November 12, 2024 | archive-date=February 15, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215193923/https://www.billboard.com/pro/artists-who-hit-no-1-hot-100-posthumously-xxxtentacion/ | url-status=live }}</ref> The third single, "[[Sky's the Limit (The Notorious B.I.G. song)|Sky's the Limit]]", featuring the band 112, featured a Spike Jonze-directed video with children portraying Wallace and his contemporaries, including Combs, Lil' Kim, and Busta Rhymes.<ref name="r393">{{cite web | title=We'll Always Love Big Poppa: 5 Unforgettable Notorious B.I.G. Videos | website=[[Rap-Up]] | date=March 9, 2011 | url=https://www.rap-up.com/article/2011/03/09/well-always-love-big-poppa-5-unforgettable-notorious-big-videos | access-date=November 12, 2024}}</ref><ref name="t872">{{cite magazine | title=The 100 Greatest Music Video Artists of All Time: Staff List | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | date=August 27, 2020 | url=https://www.billboard.com/media/lists/100-best-music-video-artists-9440075/ | access-date=November 12, 2024 | archive-date=August 27, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827203952/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/list/9440075/100-best-music-video-artists | url-status=live }}</ref> In December 1997, [[Spin (magazine)|''Spin'']] named Wallace Artist of the Year, with "Hypnotize" as Single of the Year.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/notoriousbig/articles/story/5919193/big_gets_props_from_ispini|title=B.I.G. Gets Props From Spin|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=December 2, 1997|access-date=November 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070817163932/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/notoriousbig/articles/story/5919193/big_gets_props_from_ispini|archive-date=August 17, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Sean Combs 2.jpg|thumb|left|upright|alt=Sean Combs (P. Diddy/Puff Dady) wearing sunglasses while singing into a microphone|Wallace featured on five tracks on Combs' (''pictured in 2006'') ''No Way Out'' album.]]
In mid-1997, Combs released his debut album, ''No Way Out'', which featured Wallace on five tracks, including the single "Victory".{{refn|<ref name="t971">{{cite web | last=Brown | first=Preezy | title=Bad Boy For Life: 20 Facts About Puff Daddy & The Family's 'No Way Out' | website=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]] | date=July 1, 2017 | url=https://www.vibe.com/features/editorial/bad-boy-for-life-20-facts-about-puff-daddy-the-familys-no-way-out-523343/ | access-date=November 12, 2024 | archive-date=November 13, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241113001808/https://www.vibe.com/features/editorial/bad-boy-for-life-20-facts-about-puff-daddy-the-familys-no-way-out-523343/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="n380">{{cite magazine | last=Ramirez | first=Erika | title=Biggie's Biggest: The Notorious B.I.G.'s Top 15 Billboard Hot 100 Hits | magazine=[[billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | date=November 6, 2020 | url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/notorious-bigs-15-biggest-hot-100-hits/ | access-date=November 12, 2024 | archive-date=November 13, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241113061712/https://www.billboard.com/pro/notorious-bigs-15-biggest-hot-100-hits/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="m539">{{cite web | last=Brown | first=Preezy | title=Damon Dash Claims Diddy And Biggie Smalls Copied Him And JAY-Z | website=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]] | date=April 18, 2024 | url=https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/dame-dash-diddy-biggie-smalls-copying-jay-z-1234871425/ | access-date=November 12, 2024 | archive-date=November 13, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241113055633/https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/dame-dash-diddy-biggie-smalls-copying-jay-z-1234871425/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="v276">{{cite magazine | last1=Aaron | first1=Charles | last2=Reeves | first2=Mosi | last3=Dukes | first3=Will | last4=Gross | first4=Joe | title=The 50 Best Notorious B.I.G. Songs | magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] | date=March 9, 2022 | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-notorious-big-songs-1312298/its-all-about-the-benjamins-remix-puff-daddy-the-family-feat-notorious-b-i-g-lil-kim-and-the-lox-1997-1314710/ | access-date=November 12, 2024 | archive-date=November 13, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241113002128/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-notorious-big-songs-1312298/its-all-about-the-benjamins-remix-puff-daddy-the-family-feat-notorious-b-i-g-lil-kim-and-the-lox-1997-1314710/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="l192">{{cite web | last=Lyons | first=Patrick | title=Notorious B.I.G.'s Five Most Underrated Tracks | website=[[HotNewHipHop]] | date=March 9, 2017 | url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/60448-notorious-bigs-five-most-underrated-tracks-news | access-date=November 12, 2024}}</ref>}} The album's most second track, "[[I'll Be Missing You]]", featuring Combs, Evans, and 112, was dedicated to Wallace's memory and became a worldwide chart-topper.<ref name="o889">{{cite web | last=Abraham | first=Mya | title=Sting Says Diddy Allegations And Arrest Don't 'Taint' 1983 Hit, 'Every Breath You Take' | website=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]] | date=November 12, 2024 | url=https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/sting-diddy-sample-reaction-sexual-assault-allegations-1234943122/ | access-date=November 13, 2024 | archive-date=November 12, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112192359/https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/sting-diddy-sample-reaction-sexual-assault-allegations-1234943122/ | url-status=live }}</ref> At the [[1998 Grammy Awards]], ''Life After Death'' and its first two singles—"Hypnotize" and "Mo Money Mo Problems"—received nominations in the rap category.<ref name="CNNGRAMM">{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/1998/showbiz/grammy/winners/rap.html |title=1998 Grammy Awards – Rap music winners |author=<!-- Staff writer(s); no by-line. --> |year=1998 |publisher=[[CNN]] |access-date=December 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000823141052/http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/1998/showbiz/grammy/winners/rap.html |archive-date=August 23, 2000}}</ref> Combs' ''No Way Out'' won Best Rap Album,<ref name="g905">{{cite web | last=Pearce | first=Sheldon | title=Puff Daddy & the Family: No Way Out | website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] | date=March 9, 2017 | url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/22953-no-way-out/ | access-date=November 13, 2024 | archive-date=March 9, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240309123612/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/22953-no-way-out/ | url-status=live }}</ref> while "I'll Be Missing You" won [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group|Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group]],<ref name="c491">{{cite web | last=Kaplan | first=Stephanie | title=Sting Insists Sean 'Diddy' Combs' Scandal Doesn't 'Taint' The Police's Song the Rapper Sampled in His Grammy-Winning Track | website=[[OK!]] | date=November 11, 2024 | url=https://okmagazine.com/p/sting-sean-diddy-combs-scandal-doesnt-taint-song-sampled/ | access-date=November 13, 2024}}</ref> where Wallace's "Mo Money Mo Problems" was also nominated.<ref name="CNNGRAMM"/> In December 1999, Bad Boy Records released [[Born Again (The Notorious B.I.G. album)|''Born Again'']],<ref name="c241">{{cite magazine | last=Boardman | first=Madeline | title=The Notorious BIG: Life in Photos | magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] | date=March 9, 2016 | url=https://ew.com/gallery/notorious-big-life-in-photos/ | access-date=November 13, 2024 | archive-date=March 14, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314202305/https://ew.com/gallery/notorious-big-life-in-photos/ | url-status=live }}</ref> an album featuring previously unreleased material from Wallace, mixed with new guest appearances from artists he had not collaborated with during his lifetime, including [[Eminem]] and [[Missy Elliott]].<ref name="v430">{{cite web | title=Born Again | publisher=[[NME]] | date=September 12, 2005 | url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-nme-1702-332306 | access-date=November 13, 2024 | archive-date=April 2, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402120713/https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-nme-1702-332306 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="m133">{{cite web | last=Greene | first=Jayson | title=The Notorious B.I.G.: Born Again | website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] | date=March 9, 2017 | url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/22954-born-again/ | access-date=November 13, 2024 | archive-date=May 24, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524193601/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/22954-born-again/ | url-status=live }}</ref> It spawned two singles: "[[Dead Wrong (song)|Dead Wrong]]" and "[[Notorious B.I.G. (song)|Notorious B.I.G.]]", released on October 26, 1999, and December 11, 1999, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/song/dead-wrong-featuring-eminem/216665035|title=Dead Wrong (Featuring Eminem)|publisher=[[Apple Music]] (US)|access-date=November 13, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/my/song/notorious-b-i-g-featuring-lil-kim-puff-daddy/216665152|title=Notorious B.I.G. (Featuring Lil' Kim & Puff Daddy) |publisher=[[Apple Music]] (MY)|access-date=November 13, 2024}}</ref> "Notorious B.I.G." peaked at No. 82 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref name="h432">{{cite web | last=Breihan | first=Tom | title=The Number Ones: The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Mo Money Mo Problems" (Feat. Puff Daddy & Mase) | website=[[Stereogum]] | date=May 13, 2022 | url=https://www.stereogum.com/2186248/the-number-ones-the-notorious-b-i-g-s-mo-money-mo-problems-feat-puff-daddy-mase/columns/the-number-ones/ | access-date=November 13, 2024 | archive-date=February 24, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224070536/https://www.stereogum.com/2186248/the-number-ones-the-notorious-b-i-g-s-mo-money-mo-problems-feat-puff-daddy-mase/columns/the-number-ones/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
Wallace featured on Michael Jackson's album [[Invincible (Michael Jackson album)|''Invincible'']], providing lead vocals for the track "Unbreakable", which was released on October 30, 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/in/song/unbreakable/215738278|title=Unbreakable|publisher=[[Apple Music]] (IN)|access-date=November 13, 2024}}</ref> Wallace's vocals appeared on [[Ashanti (singer)|Ashanti]]'s "[[Unfoolish]]" in 2002,<ref name="o118">{{cite web | title=Recalls Sampling The Notorious B.I.G. On "Unfoolish," Says "Puff Swore That Irv Took His Beat" | website=[[HipHopDX]] | date=March 7, 2014 | url=https://hiphopdx.com/videos/id.15730/title.ashanti-recalls-sampling-the-notorious-b-i-g-on-unfoolish-says-puff-swore-that-irv-took-his-beat | access-date=November 13, 2024}}</ref> and the track "[[Runnin' (Dying to Live)]]" with Shakur in 2003.<ref name="k551">{{cite magazine | last1=Aaron | first1=Charles | last2=Reeves | first2=Mosi | last3=Dukes | first3=Will | last4=Gross | first4=Joe | title=The 50 Best Notorious B.I.G. Songs | magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] | date=March 9, 2022 | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-notorious-big-songs-1312298/runnin-dying-to-live-2pac-feat-the-notorious-b-i-g-2002-1314729/ | access-date=November 13, 2024}}</ref> ''[[Duets: The Final Chapter]]'', a [[remix album]], was released on December 20, 2005, which spawned the singles "[[Nasty Girl (The Notorious B.I.G. song)|Nasty Girl]]" and "[[Spit Your Game]]".<ref name="l527">{{cite web | last=Henderson | first=Eric | title=Review: The Notorious B.I.G., Duets: The Final Chapter | website=[[Slant (magazine)|Slant]] | date=December 20, 2005 | url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/the-notorious-b-i-g-duets-the-final-chapter/ | access-date=November 13, 2024 | archive-date=July 12, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712225435/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/the-notorious-b-i-g-duets-the-final-chapter/ | url-status=live }}</ref> "Nasty Girl" features Combs, [[Nelly]], [[Jagged Edge (American group)|Jagged Edge]] and [[Avery Storm]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/pg/song/nasty-girl-featuring-p-diddy-nelly-jagged-edge-avery-storm/216665155|title=Nasty Girl (Featuring P. Diddy, Nelly, Jagged Edge & Avery Storm)|publisher=[[Apple Music]] (PG)|access-date=November 13, 2024}}</ref> and "Spit Your Game" includes guest appearances from [[Krayzie Bone]], [[Twista]], and [[8Ball & MJG]]. The album peaked at No. 3 on ''Billboard'' 200,<ref name="e885">{{cite magazine | title=Biography, Music & News | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | date=March 24, 2007 | url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-notorious-b.i.g./chart-history/tlp/ | access-date=November 13, 2024 | archive-date=November 4, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104124007/https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-notorious-b.i.g./chart-history/tlp/ | url-status=live }}</ref> while "Nasty Girl" peaked at No. 44 on the Hot 100.<ref name="b254">{{cite magazine | title=The Notorious B.I.G.: Billboard Hot 100 | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | date=August 30, 1997 | url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-notorious-b.i.g./chart-history/hsi/ | access-date=November 13, 2024 | archive-date=October 20, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020141713/https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-notorious-b.i.g./chart-history/hsi/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Combs and Voletta both stated ''Duets: The Final Chapter'' would be the last album primarily featuring new material.<ref name="u327">{{cite web | title=Notorious B.I.G.: an album too far? | website=[[The Independent]] | date=January 27, 2006 | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/notorious-b-i-g-an-album-too-far-524639.html | access-date=November 13, 2024 | archive-date=April 10, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410130319/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/notorious-b-i-g-an-album-too-far-524639.html | url-status=live }}</ref> A [[compilation album]], ''[[Greatest Hits (The Notorious B.I.G. album)|Greatest Hits]]'', was released on March 6, 2007—three days before the tenth anniversary of Wallace's death.<ref name="l360">{{cite web | title=Greatest Hits | publisher=[[Apple Music]] (US) | date=March 6, 2007 | url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-notorious-b-i-g-greatest-hits/216664955 | access-date=November 13, 2024 | archive-date=August 19, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240819000456/https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-notorious-b-i-g-greatest-hits/216664955 | url-status=live }}</ref> It included tracks like "Juicy" and "Big Poppa",<ref name="l360"/> but was criticized by [[AllMusic]] for not containing hits like "Mo Money Mo Problems" and "[[Going Back to Cali (The Notorious B.I.G. song)|Going Back to Cali]]".<ref name="k891">{{cite web | title=Greatest Hits: The Notorious B.I.G. | publisher=[[AllMusic]] | date=March 6, 2007 | url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/greatest-hits-mw0000578068 | access-date=November 13, 2024 | archive-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007200334/https://www.allmusic.com/album/greatest-hits-mw0000578068 | url-status=live }}</ref> The album debuted at number one on the ''Billboard'' 200 chart.<ref name="y337">{{cite magazine | title=Biggie Best-Of Bows at No. 1 | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | date=March 14, 2007 | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/biggie-best-of-bows-at-no-1-1326036/ | access-date=November 13, 2024}}</ref> On May 19, 2017, ''[[The King & I (Faith Evans and The Notorious B.I.G. album)|The King & I]]'', a duet album featuring Evans and Wallace, was released, showcasing mostly unreleased tracks.<ref name="j436">{{cite web | last=Gibsone | first=Harriet | title=Faith Evans and Notorious BIG duet album due out in May | website=[[The Guardian]] | date=February 3, 2017 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/feb/03/faith-evans-notorious-big-duet-album | access-date=November 13, 2024 | archive-date=May 20, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520044608/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/feb/03/faith-evans-notorious-big-duet-album | url-status=live }}</ref> The album peaked at No. 65 on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref name="k026">{{cite magazine | title=Faith Evans: Billboard 200 | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/faith-evans/chart-history/tlp/ | access-date=November 13, 2024 | archive-date=April 10, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410134318/https://www.billboard.com/artist/faith-evans/chart-history/tlp/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
== Artistry ==
=== Vocals ===
{{listen
| filename = 112 feat The Notorious BIG-Only You Remix.ogg
| title = "Only You (Remix)"
| description = Wallace, accompanied by ad libs from [[Sean Combs|Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs]], uses [[onomatopoeic]] [[vocables]] and multi-syllabic rhymes on his 1995 collaboration with [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]] group, [[112 (band)|112]].
| format = [[Ogg]]
| filename2 = NiggasBleed.ogg
| title2 = "Niggas Bleed"
| description2 = Wallace tells vivid stories about his everyday life as a criminal in [[Brooklyn]] (from ''[[Life After Death]]'').
| format2 = Ogg
}}
Wallace had the [[vocal range]] of a [[baritone]].<ref name="h944">{{cite magazine | last=Gee | first=Andre | title=Timbaland Just Added Fuel to Our Growing Rap Dystopia | magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] | date=May 4, 2023 | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/timbaland-ai-biggie-rap-dystopia-1234729418/ | access-date=November 13, 2024 | archive-date=April 16, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416063729/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/timbaland-ai-biggie-rap-dystopia-1234729418/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="c953">{{cite web | last=Hellerbach | first=Miki | title=Busta Rhymes, Pop Smoke, GloRilla & more: 16 rappers with the best deep voices | publisher=[[Revolt (TV network)|Revolt]] | date=January 15, 2024 | url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2024-01-15/347754/16-rappers-with-best-deep-voices | access-date=November 13, 2024 | archive-date=March 26, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326013306/https://www.revolt.tv/article/2024-01-15/347754/16-rappers-with-best-deep-voices | url-status=live }}</ref> He typically rapped in a deep tone that ''Rolling Stone'' described as a "thick, jaunty grumble",<ref name="rolling stone lad">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/notoriousbig/albums/album/200792/review/6067339/life_after_death |title=Life After Death review |author=<!-- Staff writer(s); no by-line. --> |date=December 7, 1997 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=January 7, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070220094937/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/notoriousbig/albums/album/200792/review/6067339/life_after_death |archive-date=February 20, 2007}}</ref> which became even deeper on ''Life After Death''.<ref name="rolling stone bio">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/notoriousbig/biography |title=Notorious B.I.G.: Biography |author=<!-- Staff writer(s); no by-line. --> |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=December 26, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060216105041/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/notoriousbig/biography |archive-date=February 16, 2006}}</ref> Wallace was frequently joined by Combs, who contributed [[ad lib]]s to his tracks.<ref name="t814">{{cite web | last=Findlay | first=Mitch | title=Diddy Reminds The People That Notorious B.I.G Is The GOAT | website=[[HotNewHipHop]] | date=October 16, 2019 | url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/229245-diddy-reminds-the-people-that-notorious-big-is-the-goat-news | access-date=November 13, 2024}}</ref><ref name="h432"/> ''The Source''{{'s}} "Unsigned Hype" column described his style as "cool, nasal, and filtered, blessing his own material".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thesource.com/articles/7752/Biggie-Smalls-Unsigned-Hype/?thesource-prod |title=Biggie Smalls Unsigned Hype |author=<!-- Staff writer(s); no by-line. --> |work=[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]] |access-date=December 28, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204163022/http://www.thesource.com/articles/7752/Biggie-Smalls-Unsigned-Hype/?thesource-prod |archive-date=February 4, 2013 }}</ref> AllMusic noted Wallace's talent for layering multiple rhymes in rapid succession,<ref name="b962">{{cite web | title=The Notorious B.I.G. | publisher=[[AllMusic]] | url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/ready-to-die-mw0000118068 | access-date=November 13, 2024 | archive-date=March 25, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325161701/https://www.allmusic.com/album/ready-to-die-mw0000118068 | url-status=live }}</ref> while [[Time (magazine)|''Time'']] magazine highlighted his ability to deliver multi-syllabic rhymes smoothly.<ref name="z868">{{cite magazine | last1=Tyrangiel | first1=Josh | last2=Light | first2=Alan | title=Is Ready to Die one of the All-TIME 100 Best Albums? | magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] | date=November 2, 2006 | url=https://entertainment.time.com/2006/11/02/the-all-time-100-albums/slide/ready-to-die/ | access-date=November 13, 2024 | archive-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007125934/https://entertainment.time.com/2006/11/02/the-all-time-100-albums/slide/ready-to-die/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Scholar Adam Krims described his rhythmic style as "effusive".{{sfn|Krims|2000|p=85}} Wallace often used [[onomatopoeic]] sounds, like "uhhh" at the start of tracks such as "Hypnotize" and "Big Poppa".<ref name="h129">{{cite web | title=Hypnotize (Club Mix) | publisher=[[Apple Music]] (US) | url=https://music.apple.com/us/song/hypnotize-club-mix-2014-remaster/1627155418 | access-date=November 13, 2024}}</ref><ref name="j592">{{cite web | title=Big Poppa | publisher=[[Apple Music]] (US) | url=https://music.apple.com/us/song/big-poppa/1772055719 | access-date=November 13, 2024}}</ref>
[[Lateef the Truthspeaker|Lateef]] of [[Latyrx]] described Wallace as having "intense and complex flows",{{sfn|Edwards|2012|p=100}} while [[Onyx (hip-hop group)|Onyx]]'s [[Fredro Starr]] called him "a master of the flow".{{sfn|Edwards|2012|p=112}} Rapper [[Bishop Lamont]] praised Wallace's ability to capture "all the hemispheres of the music".{{sfn|Edwards|2012|p=x}} Wallace often employed single-line [[rhyme scheme]]s to bring variety and depth to his flow.{{sfn|Edwards|2012|p=100}} [[Big Daddy Kane]] noted that Wallace did not need an extensive vocabulary to impress; instead, he "just put his words together a slick way, and it worked well for him".{{sfn|Edwards|2012|p=53}}<ref name="n277">{{cite web | title=Big Daddy Kane: Rap Like No Equal | website=[[HipHopDX]] | date=September 20, 2010 | url=https://hiphopdx.com/interviews/id.1597/title.big-daddy-kane-rap-like-no-equal | access-date=November 14, 2024 | archive-date=June 17, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240617144310/https://hiphopdx.com/interviews/id.1597/title.big-daddy-kane-rap-like-no-equal | url-status=live }}</ref> Known for composing lyrics in his head rather than writing them down, Wallace occasionally deviated from his usual style.{{sfn|Edwards|2012|p=144}} For example, he sang in a slow falsetto on "Playa Hater"<ref name="d861">{{cite web | last=Smith | first=Da'Shan | title=A personal love for The Notorious B.I.G.'s "My Downfall" | publisher=[[Revolt (TV network)|Revolt]] | date=May 21, 2018 | url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2018-05-21/95989/a-personal-love-for-the-notorious-b-i-g-s-my-downfall | access-date=November 16, 2024 | archive-date=May 30, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240530074112/https://www.revolt.tv/article/2018-05-21/95989/a-personal-love-for-the-notorious-b-i-g-s-my-downfall | url-status=live }}</ref> and adapted to the rapid-fire rhyme flow of [[Bone Thugs-n-Harmony]] on "[[Notorious Thugs]]".<ref name="n647">{{cite web | last=Coker | first=Cheo Hodari | title=A Memorable 'Life' on Its Own Merits | website=[[Los Angeles Times]] | date=March 26, 1997 | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-03-26-ca-42095-story.html | access-date=November 16, 2024}}</ref>
=== Musical style ===
Wallace's lyrics explored a range of themes, including [[Mafioso rap|mafioso]] narratives ("Niggas Bleed"),<ref name="v266">{{cite web | last=Berry | first=Peter A. | title=Remembering The Notorious B.I.G.'s flawless posthumous album 'Life After Death' | publisher=[[Revolt (TV network)|Revolt]] | date=March 25, 2022 | url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2022-03-25/159211/the-notorious-b-i-g-life-after-death-best-posthumous-album | access-date=November 16, 2024 | archive-date=March 26, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326043054/https://www.revolt.tv/article/2022-03-25/159211/the-notorious-b-i-g-life-after-death-best-posthumous-album | url-status=live }}</ref> reflections on his drug-dealing past ("[[Ten Crack Commandments]]"),<ref name="x854">{{cite magazine | last=Cauley | first=Kashana | title=Why Notorious B.I.G.'s 'Life After Death' Resonates More Now Than Ever | magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] | date=March 24, 2017 | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/why-notorious-b-i-g-s-life-after-death-resonates-more-now-than-ever-116131/ | access-date=November 16, 2024}}</ref> materialistic boasting ("Hypnotize"),<ref name="z654"/> humor ("[[Just Playing (Dreams)]]"),<ref name="stilltheill">{{cite news|archive-date=December 13, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061213144725/http://www.mtv.com/bands/n/notorious_big/lyrics/ | title=Notorious B.I.G.: Still the Illest | publisher=[[MTV]] | access-date=November 16, 2024 | url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/n/notorious_big/lyrics/}}</ref> and romantic experiences ("[[Me & My Bitch]]").<ref name="stilltheill"/> In 2004, ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' praised him as "one of the few young male songwriters in any pop style writing credible love songs".<ref name="rolling stone bio"/> In the book ''[[How to Rap]]'', rapper [[Guerilla Black]] highlighted Wallace's ability to "glorify the upper echelon"{{sfn|Edwards|2012|p=14}} while also making listeners "feel his struggle".{{sfn|Edwards|2012|p=44}} According to ''[[The New York Times]]'' journalist [[Touré (journalist)|Touré]], Wallace's lyrics "[mixed] autobiographical details about crime and violence with emotional honesty".<ref name="o749">{{cite web | title=Pop music: Biggie Smalls, Rap's Man of the Moment | website=[[The New York Times]] | author=[[Touré (journalist)|Touré]] | date=December 18, 1994 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/12/18/arts/pop-music-biggie-smalls-rap-s-man-of-the-moment.html | access-date=November 16, 2024 | archive-date=July 1, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701024448/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/12/18/arts/pop-music-biggie-smalls-rap-s-man-of-the-moment.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Another writer for ''The New York Times'', Michel Marriott, noted in 1997 that his lyrics were not entirely autobiographical, as he had a talent for exaggeration to improve his storytelling and sales appeal.<ref name="u734"/> Wallace described his debut album, ''Ready to Die'', as "a big pie, with each slice indicating a different point in [his] life involving bitches and niggas{{nbsp}}[...] from the beginning to the end".{{sfn|Brown|2004|p=66}}
''Rolling Stone'' described ''Ready to Die'' as a contrast of "bleak" street visions and being "full of high-spirited fun, bringing the pleasure principle back to hip-hop".<ref name="rolling stone bio"/> AllMusic noted "a sense of doom" in some of his songs, while Jon Pareles of ''The New York Times'' described a thread of paranoia in others.<ref name="b962"/><ref name="c708">{{cite web | last=Pareles | first=Jon | title=Rapping, Living and Dying a Gangsta Life | website=[[The New York Times]] | date=March 10, 1997 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/10/us/rapping-living-and-dying-a-gangsta-life.html | access-date=November 16, 2024 | archive-date=November 10, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181110040430/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/10/us/rapping-living-and-dying-a-gangsta-life.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Wallace himself stated that he felt "broke and depressed" while creating his debut album.<ref name="c708"/> The final track on ''Ready to Die'', "Suicidal Thoughts", portrays a character contemplating and ultimately committing suicide.{{sfn|Coker|2003|p=104}} On his follow-up album, ''Life After Death'', Wallace's lyrics delved even "deeper", as observed by ''Rolling Stone''.<ref name="rolling stone bio"/> Krims observed that the record alternates between upbeat, dance-oriented tracks and gritty "reality rap," reflecting a thematic shift toward a more "pimp" persona.{{sfn|Krims|2000|p=85}} ''[[XXL Mag]]'' noted that Wallace "revamped his image" between the two albums, evolving from a "mid-level hustler" on his debut to a "[[drug lord]]" on his sophomore effort.<ref name="e097">{{cite web | title=The History of Cocaine Rap: All White | website=[[XXL Mag]] | date=November 6, 2006 | url=https://www.xxlmag.com/the-history-of-cocaine-rap-all-white/ | access-date=November 16, 2024 | archive-date=November 28, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128102709/https://www.xxlmag.com/the-history-of-cocaine-rap-all-white/ | url-status=live }}</ref> AllMusic credited Wallace's storytelling ability as a key factor in the success of ''Ready to Die''.<ref name="b962"/>
== Legacy ==
Widely regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time, AllMusic described Wallace as "the savior of East Coast hip-hop".<ref name="m172"/> ''The Source'' named him the greatest rapper of all time in its 150th issue in March 2002.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Osorio|first=Kim|title=Biggie Smalls Is The Illest|magazine=[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]]|date=March 2002}}</ref><ref name="bbc profile">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/artist/bx3n/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070611202622/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/artist/bx3n/|archive-date=June 11, 2007|title= Music Profiles – The Notorious B.I.G.|work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=January 27, 2007}}</ref> [[MTV]] ranked him No. 3 on their 2006 list of The Greatest MCs of All Time, calling him potentially "the most skillful ever on the mic".<ref name="mtv greatest"/> In 2012, he was listed on ''The Source''{{'s}} Top 50 Lyrical Leaders.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Blue |first=Johny |date=July 2012 |title=Top 50 Lyrical Leaders: 3. The Notorious B.I.G. |magazine=[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]]}}</ref> ''Rolling Stone'' hailed him as the "greatest rapper that ever lived",<ref name="m649"/> and in 2015, ''Billboard'' named Wallace the [[Billboard and Vibe's 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time|greatest rapper of all time]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=November 12, 2015 |title=The 10 Greatest Rappers of All Time |url=https://www.billboard.com/photos/6723017/best-rappers-of-all-time |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319024731/http://www.billboard.com/photos/6723017/the-10-best-rappers-of-all-time/1 |archive-date=March 19, 2016 |access-date=August 6, 2023 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
Wallace's lyrics have been extensively sampled and quoted by artists across genres, including [[Jay-Z]],<ref name="d642">{{cite web | last=Ex | first=Kris | title=Jay-Z's 'Magna Carta' Is A Fait Accompli | publisher=[[NPR]] | date=July 9, 2013 | url=https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2013/07/09/200414801/jay-zs-magna-carta-is-a-fait-accompli | access-date=November 16, 2024 | archive-date=August 8, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808065946/https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2013/07/09/200414801/jay-zs-magna-carta-is-a-fait-accompli | url-status=live }}</ref> [[50 Cent]],<ref name="y067">{{cite magazine | title='Realest N****s' The Notorious B.I.G. and 50 Cent (2003) | magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] | date=March 10, 2022 | url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/50-best-notorious-b-i-g-songs-38197/realest-ns-the-notorious-b-i-g-and-50-cent-2003-38203/ | access-date=November 16, 2024}}</ref> [[Eminem]],<ref name="g641">{{cite web | last=Berry | first=Peter | title=Here Are Eminem's 20 Best Guest Verses | website=[[XXL Mag]] | date=July 22, 2020 | url=https://www.xxlmag.com/eminem-best-guest-verses/ | access-date=November 16, 2024 | archive-date=April 2, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240402191835/https://www.xxlmag.com/eminem-best-guest-verses/ | url-status=live }}</ref> [[Lil Wayne]],<ref name="l623"/> [[Drake (musician)|Drake]],<ref name="l623">{{cite web | last=Diep | first=Eric | title=Songs That Sample The Notorious B.I.G. | website=XXL Mag | date=February 21, 2014 | url=https://www.xxlmag.com/songs-that-sample-the-notorious-b-i-g/ | access-date=November 16, 2024 | archive-date=December 11, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211071003/https://www.xxlmag.com/songs-that-sample-the-notorious-b-i-g/ | url-status=live }}</ref> [[Kendrick Lamar]],<ref name="l623"/> [[Ludacris]],<ref name="l623"/> and [[Kanye West]].<ref name="l623"/> Tributes to him have featured prominently in [[hip-hop culture]], such as at the [[2005 MTV Video Music Awards]], where Combs and [[Snoop Dogg]] honored him with an orchestral performance of his songs "Juicy" and "Warning".<ref name="h242">{{cite magazine | last=Cohen | first=Jonathan | title=Green Day Dominates MTV Video Music Awards | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | date=August 28, 2005 | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/green-day-dominates-mtv-video-music-awards-2-1407261/ | access-date=November 16, 2024}}</ref><ref name="f181">{{cite web | last=Carpentier | first=Megan | title=Snoop Dogg & Gwen Stefani Looked So Good Together on the Red Carpet 20 Years Ago | publisher=[[NBC News]] | date=July 18, 2024 | url=https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/snoop-dogg-gwen-stefani-mtv-vmas-red-carpet | access-date=November 16, 2024 | archive-date=October 8, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008045205/https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/snoop-dogg-gwen-stefani-mtv-vmas-red-carpet | url-status=live }}</ref> At the 2005 [[VH1 Hip Hop Honors]], a tribute to Wallace headlined the show.<ref name="g486">{{cite web | title=VH1 to give Notorious B.I.G. Hip Hop Honors | website=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]] | agency=[[Associated Press]] | date=June 29, 2005 | url=https://www.today.com/popculture/vh1-give-notorious-b-i-g-hip-hop-honors-wbna8404196 | access-date=November 16, 2024 | archive-date=August 5, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805173124/https://www.today.com/popculture/vh1-give-notorious-b-i-g-hip-hop-honors-wbna8404196 | url-status=live }}</ref> At the same show in 2016, [[Rich Homie Quan]] performed "Get Money" but faced criticism after forgetting the lyrics.<ref name="a315">{{cite web | last=Collins | first=Shanna | title=Rich Homie Quan Blames Teleprompter For Biggie Faux Pas On 'Hip Hop Honors' | website=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]] | date=July 15, 2016 | url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/rich-homie-quan-blames-teleprompter-on-hip-hop-honors-437505/ | access-date=November 16, 2024 | archive-date=August 13, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813122243/https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/rich-homie-quan-blames-teleprompter-on-hip-hop-honors-437505/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="t180">{{cite web | last=Pearce | first=Sheldon | title=Rich Homie Quan Apologizes for Notorious B.I.G. 'Hip Hop Honors' Flub | website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] | date=July 12, 2016 | url=https://pitchfork.com/news/66755-rich-homie-quan-apologizes-for-notorious-big-hip-hop-honors-flub/ | access-date=November 16, 2024 | archive-date=February 24, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224200959/https://pitchfork.com/news/66755-rich-homie-quan-apologizes-for-notorious-big-hip-hop-honors-flub/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Before he died, Wallace had begun promoting a clothing line, Brooklyn Mint, focused on plus-sized apparel.<ref name="c789">{{cite web | last=Germain | first=Tabie | title=Biggie's Legacy Lives On | publisher=[[BET]] | date=March 9, 2023 | url=https://www.bet.com/article/vbgkhk/seven-ways-to-honor-notorious-big-christopher-wallace-life | access-date=November 16, 2024}}</ref> The brand became dormant after his death but was relaunched in 2004 by his managers, [[Mark Pitts]] and [[Wayne Barrow]],<ref name="c789"/> with assistance from Jay-Z.<ref name="s833">{{cite web | first=Greg | last=Watkins | title=B.I.G.'s Brooklyn Mint Clothing Line Debuts, Jay-Z Gets Down | website=[[AllHipHop]] | date=February 8, 2005 | url=https://allhiphop.com/news/b-i-g-s-brooklyn-mint-clothing-line-debuts-jay-z-gets-down/ | access-date=November 16, 2024}}</ref> Proceeds benefitted several charitable organizations, including Christopher Wallace Foundation and the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation.<ref name="c789"/><ref name="s833"/>
The Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation hosts an annual black-tie charity event, "B.I.G. Night Out", to raise funds for children's educational resources.<ref name="q819">{{cite web | title=Image 17 from Life & TImes Of Biggie | publisher=[[BET]] | date=August 8, 1993 | url=https://www.bet.com/photo-gallery/k1512e/life-times-of-biggie/h4qg8p | access-date=November 16, 2024}}</ref> The [[acronym]] "B.I.G." is repurposed to stand for "Books Instead of Guns".<ref name="v532">{{cite news | last=Williams | first=Damon C. | title=Mothers Tend Legacies of Fallen Rappers | newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] | date=May 31, 2004 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2004/05/31/mothers-tend-legacies-of-fallen-rappers/c5413d17-5f53-430b-a560-c4582e06aeb7/ | access-date=November 16, 2024 | archive-date=February 1, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201135036/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2004/05/31/mothers-tend-legacies-of-fallen-rappers/c5413d17-5f53-430b-a560-c4582e06aeb7/ | url-status=live }}</ref> In Brooklyn, Wallace's legacy is preserved through art and community efforts. A mural depicting Wallace can be found on Fulton Street, near his childhood neighborhood.<ref name="z491">{{cite web | last=Brown | first=Preezy | title=The Notorious B.I.G.'s Mural Defaced In Brooklyn | website=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]] | date=August 27, 2022 | url=https://www.vibe.com/news/national/the-notorious-big-mural-defaced-brooklyn-1234689566/ | access-date=November 16, 2024 | archive-date=June 6, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606122042/https://www.vibe.com/news/national/the-notorious-big-mural-defaced-brooklyn-1234689566/ | url-status=live }}</ref> In 2019, the corner of Fulton Street and St. James Place was renamed in his honor.<ref name="a704">{{cite web | last=Blais-Billie | first=Braudie | title=Notorious B.I.G. Officially Gets His Own Brooklyn Street Name | website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] | date=June 11, 2019 | url=https://pitchfork.com/news/notorious-big-officially-gets-his-own-brooklyn-street-name/ | access-date=November 16, 2024 | archive-date=January 23, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123123111/https://pitchfork.com/news/notorious-big-officially-gets-his-own-brooklyn-street-name/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Wallace's image and persona inspired elements of the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]]'s portrayal of [[Cottonmouth (Cornell Stokes)|Cornell "Cottonmouth" Stokes]] in the [[Netflix]] series ''[[Luke Cage (TV series)|Luke Cage]]''.<ref name="e208">{{cite web | last=Grebey | first=James | title=Everything you need to know about Luke Cage | website=[[Business Insider]] | date=August 9, 2016 | url=https://www.businessinsider.com/who-is-luke-cage-2016-8 | access-date=November 16, 2024 | archive-date=June 18, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618122832/https://www.businessinsider.com/who-is-luke-cage-2016-8 | url-status=live }}</ref> In August 2020, Wallace's son, C. J. Wallace, released a [[house music|house]] remix of "Big Poppa".<ref name="y633">{{cite magazine | last=Kreps | first=Daniel | title=Notorious B.I.G.'s Son Drops 'Big Poppa' Dance Remix | magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] | date=August 12, 2020 | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/notorious-big-son-big-poppa-dance-remix-1043114/ | access-date=November 16, 2024 | archive-date=November 5, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231105181526/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/notorious-big-son-big-poppa-dance-remix-1043114/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="y998">{{cite web | last=Blanchet | first=Brenton | title=Notorious B.I.G.'s Son Shares 'Big Poppa' House Remix | website=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] | date=August 12, 2020 | url=https://www.spin.com/2020/08/notorious-b-i-g-s-son-shares-electrifying-big-poppa-house-remix/ | access-date=November 16, 2024 | archive-date=September 27, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927050812/https://www.spin.com/2020/08/notorious-b-i-g-s-son-shares-electrifying-big-poppa-house-remix/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Biopics ===
[[Notorious (2009 film)|''Notorious'']] is a 2009 biographical film depicting the life and career of Wallace,<ref name="e775">{{cite magazine | last=Kreps | first=Daniel | title=Authorized Notorious B.I.G. Documentary 'One More Chance' in the Works | magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] | date=February 14, 2017 | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/authorized-notorious-b-i-g-documentary-one-more-chance-in-the-works-111130/ | access-date=November 16, 2024 | archive-date=July 16, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716162849/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/authorized-notorious-b-i-g-documentary-one-more-chance-in-the-works-111130/ | url-status=live }}</ref> starring rapper [[Jamal Woolard]] in the lead role.<ref name="y149">{{cite web | last=Ezugwu | first=Emmanuel | title=Become Notorious BIG in 10 easy steps! | website=[[The Guardian]] | date=February 12, 2009 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/feb/12/become-notorious-big-10-easy-steps | access-date=November 16, 2024}}</ref> Directed by [[George Tillman Jr.]] and distributed by [[Fox Searchlight Pictures]],<ref name="c124">{{cite web | last=Pulver | first=Andrew | title=Miles Davis biopic to be directed by George Tillman Jr | website=[[The Guardian]] | date=November 10, 2011 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/nov/10/miles-davis-biopic-george-tillman-jr | access-date=November 16, 2024}}</ref><ref name="q685">{{cite web | last=Higgins | first=Keenan | title=Up In The Source: Looking Back at BIG's Covers of 'The Source Magazine' | website=[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]] | date=May 21, 2019 | url=https://thesource.com/2019/05/21/biggie-birthday-tribute-the-source-magazine-covers/ | access-date=November 16, 2024 | archive-date=May 17, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200517155400/https://thesource.com/2019/05/21/biggie-birthday-tribute-the-source-magazine-covers/ | url-status=live }}</ref> the film was produced by his managers, Combs, Barrow, and Pitts, and his mother, Voletta.<ref name="m252">{{cite web | last=Anderson | first=John | title=Notorious | website=[[Variety (website)|Variety]] | date=January 11, 2009 | url=https://variety.com/2009/film/markets-festivals/notorious-2-1200473385/ | access-date=November 16, 2024 | archive-date=June 22, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622205748/https://variety.com/2009/film/markets-festivals/notorious-2-1200473385/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="b763">{{cite magazine | last=Travers | first=Peter | title=Notorious | magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] | date=January 15, 2009 | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/notorious-2-252672/ | access-date=November 16, 2024}}</ref> On January 16, 2009, the film's debut at the Grand 18 theater in [[Greensboro, North Carolina]], was delayed after a shooting occurred in the parking lot before the screening.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.greensboro.com/news/public_safety/shooting-erupts-at-notorious-movie/article_64456f48-08ae-5188-95bd-708390c0844e.html|title=Shooting erupts at Notorious movie|date=January 16, 2009|work=[[News & Record (Greensboro)|Greensboro News & Record]]|access-date=September 12, 2016|archive-date=October 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005012447/https://greensboro.com/news/public_safety/shooting-erupts-at-notorious-movie/article_64456f48-08ae-5188-95bd-708390c0844e.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The film grossed $44.4 million worldwide with a $20 million budget, and received mixed reviews from critics.<ref name="h290">{{cite web | last=Cummings-Grady | first=Mackenzie | title='Notorious' Actor Didn't Want Diddy Role Due To 'Too Much Heat' | website=HipHopDX | date=April 17, 2023 | url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/notorious-actor-derek-luke-turned-down-diddy-role | access-date=November 16, 2024}}</ref>
In October 2007, open casting calls began for the role of Wallace,<ref name="v914">{{cite web | last=Ryzik | first=Melena | title=Biggie Smalls | website=[[The New York Times]] | date=October 8, 2007 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/08/arts/music/08bigg.html | access-date=November 16, 2024 | archive-date=August 13, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813222935/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/08/arts/music/08bigg.html | url-status=live }}</ref> attracting actors, rappers, and aspiring performers. [[Beanie Sigel]] auditioned but was not selected,<ref>{{cite magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118204402/http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=14406|archive-date=January 18, 2008|access-date=November 16, 2024|title=Beanie Sigel Auditions for Role of Biggie Smalls in New Biopic|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=14406|url-status=live|date=October 3, 2007|website=[[XXL Mag]]}}</ref> while [[Sean Kingston]] expressed interest in the role, though producers denied his involvement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/news/news_headlines/2007/08/seankingston_big/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071105065435/http://www.vibe.com/news/news_headlines/2007/08/seankingston_big/|archive-date=November 5, 2007|title=Sean Kingston: Big, But Not B.I.G.|date=August 30, 2007|work=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]|access-date=November 28, 2007}}</ref> Ultimately, Woolard was cast as Wallace,<ref name="y149"/> and Wallace's son, C. J., portrayed his father.<ref name="r091">{{cite web | last=Aftab | first=Kaleem | title=CJ Wallace talks about his father Biggie Smalls, launching a music career and his new film Kicks | website=[[The Independent]] | date=May 25, 2017 | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/cj-wallace-interview-the-notorious-b-i-g-kicks-notorious-justin-tipping-tupac-shakur-a7749536.html | access-date=November 16, 2024 | archive-date=September 30, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930095652/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/cj-wallace-interview-the-notorious-b-i-g-kicks-notorious-justin-tipping-tupac-shakur-a7749536.html | url-status=live }}</ref> To accompany the film, Bad Boy Records released [[Notorious (soundtrack)|a soundtrack album]] on January 13, 2009, featuring many of Wallace's prominent tracks such as "Hypnotize" and "Juicy".<ref name="h891">{{cite web | title=Notorious (Music from and Inspired By the Original Motion Picture) by The Notorious B.I.G. | publisher=[[Apple Music]] (US) | url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/notorious-music-from-and-inspired-by-the-original/301231760 | access-date=November 16, 2024}}</ref>
Another biopic, the 2021 Netflix documentary ''[[Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell]]'', explores Wallace's life before fame, and features "unprecedented access granted by the Wallace estate featuring rare access and insights". It was executive-produced by Voletta and Combs.<ref name="m159">{{cite magazine | last=Kreps | first=Daniel | title=Notorious B.I.G.: See First Trailer for Estate-Approved Netflix Documentary | magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] | date=February 15, 2021 | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/notorious-big-netflix-documentary-trailer-1128201/ | access-date=November 16, 2024 | archive-date=February 25, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225201205/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/notorious-big-netflix-documentary-trailer-1128201/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
==Discography==
{{Main|The Notorious B.I.G. discography}}
;Studio albums
* ''[[Ready to Die]]'' (1994)
* ''[[Life After Death]]'' (1997)
;Collaboration album
* ''[[Conspiracy (Junior M.A.F.I.A. album)|Conspiracy]]'' (with [[Junior M.A.F.I.A.]]) (1995)
;Posthumous albums
*''[[Born Again (The Notorious B.I.G. album)|Born Again]]'' (1999)
* ''[[Duets: The Final Chapter]]'' (2005)
* ''[[The King & I (Faith Evans and The Notorious B.I.G. album)|The King & I]]'' (with [[Faith Evans]]) (2017)
== Media ==
=== Filmography ===
* ''[[The Show (1995 film)|The Show]]'' (1995) as himself
* ''[[Rhyme & Reason (film)|Rhyme & Reason]]'' (1997 documentary) as himself
* ''[[Biggie & Tupac]]'' (2002 documentary) archive footage
* ''[[Tupac: Resurrection]]'' (2004 documentary) archive footage
* ''Notorious B.I.G. Bigger Than Life'' (2007 documentary) archive footage
* ''[[Notorious (2009 film)|''Notorious'']]'' (2009) archive footage
* ''[[All Eyez on Me (film)|All Eyez on Me]]'' (2017) archive footage
* ''[[Quincy (film)|Quincy]]'' (2018 documentary) archive footage
* ''Biggie: The Life of Notorious B.I.G.'' (2017 documentary) archive footage
* ''[[Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell]]'' (2021 documentary) archive footage
=== Television appearances ===
* ''New York Undercover'' (1995) as himself
* ''[[Martin (TV series)|Martin]]'' (1995) as himself
* ''Who Shot Biggie & Tupac?'' (2017)
* ''[[Unsolved (U.S. TV series)|Unsolved]]'' (2018)
== Awards and nominations ==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="width: 100%;""
|+ {{sronly|Awards and nominations received by the Notorious B.I.G.}}
|-
! scope="col" | Award
! scope="col" | Year{{efn|Indicates the year of ceremony. Each year is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.}}
! scope="col" | Work/Nominee
! scope="col" | Category
! scope="col" | Result
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Reference heading|plural=no}}
|-
! rowspan="3" scope="row"| [[ASCAP|ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards]]
| 2005
| "[[Runnin' (Dying to Live)]]" {{small|(with Tupac Shakur}})
| Top Soundtrack Song of the Year
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center" | <ref name="q927">{{cite web | title=18th Annual ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards presented in Los Angeles | publisher=[[ASCAP]] | date=June 27, 2005 | url=https://www.ascap.com/playback/2005/summer/features/rs_awards | access-date=November 16, 2024 | archive-date=July 31, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731184445/https://www.ascap.com/playback/2005/summer/features/rs_awards | url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| 2017
| {{n/a}}
| ASCAP Founders Award
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center" | <ref name="i136">{{cite web | title=Notorious B.I.G. Honored by ASCAP on 20th Anniversary Year of His Death | website=[[variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=June 25, 2017 | url=https://variety.com/2017/music/news/notorious-big-honored-ascap-rhythm-soul-1202477768/ | access-date=November 16, 2024 | archive-date=June 3, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603084045/https://variety.com/2017/music/news/notorious-big-honored-ascap-rhythm-soul-1202477768/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| 2020
| "[[Sicko Mode]]"
| Winning Rap and R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center" | <ref name="v687">{{cite web | title=2020 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards | publisher=[[ASCAP]] | date=July 15, 2020 | url=https://www.ascap.com/news-events/awards/2020/rhythmsoul-awards | access-date=November 17, 2024 | archive-date=July 15, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715175938/https://www.ascap.com/news-events/awards/2020/rhythmsoul-awards | url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
! rowspan="3" scope="row"| [[Billboard Music Awards|''Billboard'' Music Awards]]
| rowspan="2" scope="row" | 1995
| {{n/a}}
| [[Billboard Music Award for Top Rap Artist|Rap Artist of the Year]]
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center" | <ref name="z426">{{cite magazine | last=Ganz | first=Jami | title=Diddy Pays Tribute to the Notorious B.I.G. 20 Years After His Death | magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] | date=March 9, 2017 | url=https://ew.com/music/2017/03/09/biggie-notorious-big-diddy-tribute/ | access-date=November 17, 2024}}</ref>
|-
| "[[One More Chance (The Notorious B.I.G. song)|One More Chance/Stay with Me (Remix)]]" {{small|(with Faith Evans)}}
| Rap Single of the Year
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center" | <ref name="j448">{{cite magazine | last=Bristout | first=Ralph | title=The Notorious B.I.G.'s 'Ready to Die' at 30: All 17 Songs Ranked | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | date=September 13, 2024 | url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/notorious-big-ready-to-die-songs-ranked/ | access-date=November 17, 2024 | archive-date=September 27, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240927200717/https://www.billboard.com/lists/notorious-big-ready-to-die-songs-ranked/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| 1997
| ''[[Life After Death]]''
| R&B Album
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center" | <ref name="database">{{cite magazine | title=Winners Database | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | url=https://www.billboardmusicawards.com/winners-database/?winnerYear=1997 | access-date=November 17, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! rowspan="4" scope="row" | [[Grammy Awards]]
| [[38th Annual Grammy Awards|1996]]
| "[[Big Poppa]]"
| [[Best Rap Solo Performance]]
| {{nominated}}
| style="text-align:center" | <ref name="d020">{{cite magazine | last=Grove | first=Rashad D. | title=10 Iconic Hip-Hop Artists Who've Never Won A Grammy | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | date=February 5, 2019 | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/rappers-never-won-grammy-2019-8496644/ | access-date=November 17, 2024 | archive-date=January 28, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128113409/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/rappers-never-won-grammy-2019-8496644/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3" scope="row" | [[40th Annual Grammy Awards|1998]]
| "[[Hypnotize (The Notorious B.I.G. song)|Hypnotize]]"
| Best Rap Solo Performance
| {{nominated}}
| style="text-align:center" | <ref name="o932">{{cite web | last=Walker | first=Joe | title=Diddy & Biggie Tried Ecstasy For First Time In 'Hypnotize' Video | website=[[HipHopDX]] | date=May 24, 2022 | url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.70494/title.diddy-biggie-hypnotize-video-ecstasy-first-time | access-date=November 17, 2024}}</ref>
|-
| "[[Mo Money Mo Problems]]"
| [[Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group]] {{small|(with [[Mase]] and [[Puff Daddy]])}}
| {{nominated}}
| style="text-align:center" | <ref name="s009">{{cite web | last=Eustice | first=Kyle | title=Biggie 'Mo Money Mo Problems' Singer Kelly Price Found | website=[[HipHopDX]] | date=September 24, 2021 | url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.64757/title.biggies-mo-money-mo-problems-singer-kelly-price-missing-persons-case-solved | access-date=November 17, 2024 | archive-date=May 28, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528162852/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.64757/title.biggies-mo-money-mo-problems-singer-kelly-price-missing-persons-case-solved | url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| ''Life After Death''
| [[Best Rap Album]]
| {{nominated}}
| style="text-align:center" | <ref name="k368">{{cite web | last=Kenner | first=Rob | title=The RZA Explains the Real Reason Ol' Dirty Bastard Bum-Rushed the Grammy Awards, and Why Wu-Tang Really Is For the Children | website=[[GQ (magazine)|GQ]] | date=February 2, 2024 | url=https://www.gq.com/story/the-rza-explains-the-real-reason-ol-dirty-bastard-bum-rushed-the-grammy-awards-and-why-wu-tang-really-is-for-the-children | access-date=November 17, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! rowspan="2" scope="row" | [[MTV Video Music Awards]]
| [[1997 MTV Video Music Awards|1997]]
| "Hypnotize"
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video|Best Rap Video]]
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center" | <ref name="k115">{{cite web | title=Jamiroquai tops MTV video noms | website=[[variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=July 23, 1997 | url=https://variety.com/1997/music/news/jamiroquai-tops-mtv-video-noms-1116676169/ | access-date=November 17, 2024 | archive-date=June 27, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627223922/https://variety.com/1997/music/news/jamiroquai-tops-mtv-video-noms-1116676169/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[
| "Mo Money Mo Problems"
| Best Rap Video {{small|(with Mase and Puff Daddy)}}
| {{nominated}}
| style="text-align:center" | <ref name="w116">{{cite magazine | last=Elibert | first=Mark | title=The 20 Best Hype Williams-Directed Music Videos | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | date=August 26, 2019 | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/the-20-best-hype-williams-directed-music-videos-8528219/ | access-date=November 17, 2024 | archive-date=March 8, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308195327/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/the-20-best-hype-williams-directed-music-videos-8528219/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]]
| 2020
| {{n/a}}
| Performers
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center" | <ref name="r515">{{cite magazine | last=Lynch | first=Joe | title=Here's What Happened at the 2020 Rock Hall Virtual Induction Ceremony | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | date=November 7, 2020 | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2020-rock-roll-hall-fame-virtual-induction-ceremony-9479841/ | access-date=November 17, 2024 | archive-date=April 4, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404150150/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2020-rock-roll-hall-fame-virtual-induction-ceremony-9479841/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
! rowspan="4" scope="row" | [[Soul Train Music Awards]]
| [[1996 Soul Train Music Awards|1996]]
| "One More Chance/Stay With Me (Remix)" {{small|(with Faith Evans)}}
| [[Soul Train Music Award for Best Song of the Year|R&B/Soul or Rap Song of the Year]]
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center" | <ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|volume=108|issue=24|issn=0006-2510|title=Rap Song of the Year|date=June 15, 1996}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3" scope="row" | [[1998 Soul Train Music Awards|1998]]
| ''Life After Death''
| [[Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Album – Male|Best R&B/Soul Album – Male]]
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center" | <ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|volume=110|issue=11|issn=0006-2510|date=March 14, 1996|page=36|title=Soul Train Awards}}</ref>
|-
| ''Life After Death''
| R&B/Soul or Rap Song of the Year
| {{nominated}}
| style="text-align:center" | <ref name="c076">{{cite magazine | last=Denis | first=Kyle | title=How Have Soul Train Album of the Year Winners Fared at the Grammys? | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | date=November 23, 2023 | url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/soul-train-music-awards-album-of-the-year-winners-fare-2024-grammys-sza-victoria-coco/ | access-date=November 17, 2024}}</ref>
|-
| "Mo Money Mo Problems" {{small|(with Mase and Puff Daddy)}}
| [[Soul Train Music Award for Best Video of the Year|Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video]]
| {{nominated}}
| style="text-align:center" | <ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|volume=110|issue=7|issn=0006-2510|date=February 14, 1998|page=19|title=Soul Train Awards}}</ref>
|-
! rowspan="4" scope="row" | [[The Source Hip-Hop Music Awards|''The Source'' Hip-Hop Music Awards]]
! rowspan="4" scope="row" | [[1995 Source Awards|1995]]
| {{n/a}}
| New Artist of the Year, Solo
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center" | <ref name="t381">{{cite web | last=Simmons | first=Nadirah | title=Today In 1995: The 2nd Annual Source Awards Makes Hip Hop History | website=[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]] | date=August 3, 2016 | url=https://thesource.com/2016/08/03/today-in-1995-the-2nd-annual-source-awards-makes-hip-hop-history/ | access-date=November 17, 2024 | archive-date=April 7, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407005003/https://thesource.com/2016/08/03/today-in-1995-the-2nd-annual-source-awards-makes-hip-hop-history/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| {{n/a}}
| Lyricist of the Year
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center" | <ref name="d316">{{cite web | last=Findlay | first=Mitch | title=The 1995 Source Awards: One Of Hip-Hop's Wildest, Most Legendary Nights | website=[[HotNewHipHop]] | date=August 3, 2019 | url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/189155-the-1995-source-awards-one-of-hip-hops-wildest-most-legendary-nights-news | access-date=November 17, 2024 | archive-date=September 9, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909115249/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/189155-the-1995-source-awards-one-of-hip-hops-wildest-most-legendary-nights-news | url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| {{n/a}}
| Live Performer of the Year
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center" | <ref name="t381"/>
|-
| ''Ready to Die''
| Album of the Year
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center" | <ref name="t381"/>
|-
|}
==
*[[List of murdered hip-hop musicians]]
== Notes ==
{{notelist}}
== Citations ==
{{reflist}}
== Bibliography ==
{{Refbegin|indent=yes|30em}}
*{{cite book |last=Brown |first=Jake |title=Ready to Die: The Story of Biggie Smalls Notorious B.I.G. |publisher=Colossus Books |date=2004 |isbn=978-0-9749779-3-5 }}
* {{cite book | last1=Chang | first1=Jeff | author-link1=Jeff Chang (journalist) | last2=Cook | first2=Dave | title=Can't Stop Won't Stop | publisher=[[St. Martin's Publishing Group]] | date=2021 | isbn=978-1-250-19855-6}}
* {{cite book |last=Coker |first=Cheo Hodari |author-link=Cheo Hodari Coker|title=Unbelievable: The Life, Death, and Afterlife of the Notorious B.I.G. |year=2003 |publisher=[[Three Rivers Press]] |isbn=978-0-609-80835-1 |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780609808351 }}
* {{cite book | last=Davis | first=Clive | author-link=Clive Davis | title=The Soundtrack of My Life | publisher=[[Simon and Schuster]] | date=2013 | isbn=978-1-4767-1480-6}}
* {{cite book | last=Edwards | first=Paul | title=How to Rap | publisher=[[Random House]] | date=2012 | isbn=978-1-4481-3213-3}}
* {{cite book | last=Katz | first=Hélèna | title=Cold Cases: Famous Unsolved Mysteries, Crimes, and Disappearances in America | publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing]] | date=2010 | isbn=978-0-313-37693-1}}
* {{cite book | last=Krims | first=Adam | title=Rap Music and the Poetics of Identity | publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] | date=2000 | isbn=978-0-521-63447-2}}
* {{cite book|last=Lang|first=Holly|author-link=Holly Lang|title=The Notorious B.I.G.: A Biography|year=2007|publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing]]|isbn=978-1-567-20735-4}}
* {{cite book | last1=McClafferty | first1=Karen A. | last2=Torres | first2=Carlos Alberto | last3=Mitchell | first3=Theodore R. | title=Challenges of Urban Education | publisher=[[State University of New York Press]] | date=2000-01-27 | isbn=978-0-7914-9321-2}}
* {{cite book | last=Nance | first=Kimberly A. | title=Ethics of Witness in Global Testimonial Narratives: Responding to the Pain of Others | publisher=[[Lexington Books]] | date=2019 | isbn=978-1-4985-9889-7}}
* {{cite book | last=Perone | first=James E. | title=The Album: A Guide to Pop Music's Most Provocative, Influential, and Important Creations | publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing]] | date=2012 | isbn=978-0-313-37907-9 | oclc=768800346}}
* {{cite book | last=Ro | first=Ronin | title=Bad Boy: The Influence of Sean "Puffy" Combs On the Music Industry | publisher=[[Simon and Schuster]] | date=2002 | isbn=978-0-7434-3417-1}}
* {{cite book | last=Robinson | first=Staci | title=Tupac Shakur: The Authorized Biography | publisher=[[Crown Publishing Group]] | date=2024 | isbn=978-1-5247-6105-9}}
* {{cite book | last1=Sandy | first1=Candace | last2=Daniels | first2=Dawn Marie | title=How Long Will They Mourn Me? | publisher=[[Random House]] | date=2010 | isbn=978-0-307-75744-9}}
* {{cite book | last=Schaller Jr. | first=Robert C. | title=Kanye West: A Biography | publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing]] | date=2009 | isbn=978-0-313-37461-6}}
* {{cite book | author-link=Cathy Scott | last=Scott | first=Cathy | title=[[The Killing of Tupac Shakur]] | publisher=[[Huntington Press|Huntington Press Inc]] | year=2014 | orig-year=1997 | isbn=978-1-935396-54-3}}
* {{cite book | last=Sublette | first=Ned | author-link=Ned Sublette | title=The Year Before the Flood | publisher=[[Chicago Review Press]] | date=2009 | isbn=978-1-56976-323-0}}
* {{cite book | last=Tinsley | first=Justin | title=It Was All a Dream: Biggie and the World That Made Him | publisher=[[Abrams Books]] | date=2022 | isbn=978-1-64700-104-9}}
* {{cite book | last=Vogel | first=Joseph | author-link=Joseph Vogel (author) | title=[[Man in the Music: The Creative Life and Work of Michael Jackson]] | publisher=[[Doubleday (publisher)|Doubleday]] | date=2019 | isbn=978-0-525-56658-8}}
* {{cite book |last1=Wallace |first1=Voletta |last2=McKenzie |first2= Tremell |last3=Evans |first3= Faith (foreword) |title=Biggie: Voletta Wallace Remembers Her Son, Christopher Wallace, aka Notorious B.I.G |year=2005 |publisher=[[Atria Publishing Group]] |isbn=978-0-7434-7020-9 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LRgLv7WFW8IC }}
* {{cite book | last=Whitaker | first=Matthew C. | author-link=Matthew C. Whitaker | title=Peace Be Still: Modern Black America from World War II to Barack Obama | publisher=[[University of Nebraska Press]] |year=2014 | isbn=978-0-8032-4958-5}}
{{Refend}}
== External links ==
{{Commons}}
{{Wikiquote}}
*
* {{IMDb name|0857263}}
* {{IMDb name|1242480|name=Voletta Wallace}}
* [https://vault.fbi.gov/Christopher%20%28Biggie%20Smalls%29%20Wallace%20 FBI Records: The Vault – Christopher (Biggie Smalls) Wallace] at vault.fbi.gov
* {{discogs artist|Notorious B.I.G.}}
* {{discogs artist|Voletta Wallace|name=Voletta Wallace}}
{{Navboxes
|list =
{{MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video}}
{{MTV Video Music Award – Viewer's Choice}}
{{2020 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}
}}
{{Junior M.A.F.I.A.}}
{{Rampart scandal}}
{{Portal bar|Biography|Music|United States}}
{{Authority control}}
[[
[[Category:1972 births]]
[[Category:1997 deaths]]
[[Category:1997 murders in the United States]]
[[Category:20th-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century American rappers]]
[[Category:African-American male rappers]]
[[Category:20th-century American male rappers]]
[[Category:American drug traffickers]]
[[Category:American murder victims]]
[[Category:American rappers of Jamaican descent]]
[[Category:Arista Records artists]]
[[Category:Atlantic Records artists|Big]]
[[Category:Bad Boy Records artists]]
[[Category:Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School alumni]]
[[Category:Deaths by firearm in California]]
[[Category:East Coast hip-hop musicians]]
[[Category:Faith Evans]]
[[Category:G-funk artists]]
[[Category:Gangsta rappers]]
[[Category:Murdered African-American people]]
[[Category:People from Clinton Hill, Brooklyn]]
[[Category:Musicians from Teaneck, New Jersey]]
[[Category:People murdered in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Rappers from Brooklyn]]
[[Category:Unsolved murders in California]]
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