The Notorious B.I.G.

The Notorious B.I.G.
Born	Christopher George Latore Wallace (1972-05-21)May 21, 1972 New York City, U.S.
Died	March 9, 1997(1997-03-09) (aged 24) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Cause of death	Murder by drive-by shooting
Resting place	Cremated, ashes given to family members
Other names	Biggie Smalls Biggie Big Frank White Big Poppa MC CWest
Occupations	Rapper songwriter record producer
Years active	1992–1997
Spouse	Faith Evans ​ ​ (m. 1994; sep. 1996)​ [1]
Partner	Charli Baltimore (1995–1997)[a][2]
Children	2, including C. J.
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Genres	East Coast hip hop gangsta rap hardcore hip hop
Labels	Bad Boy Arista Uptown
Formerly of	The Commission

Christopher George Latore Wallace (May 21, 1972 – March 9, 1997), better known by his stage names The Notorious B.I.G., Biggie Smalls, or simply Biggie, was an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He is considered by many music enthusiasts to be one of the greatest rappers of all time.^[3] Wallace became known for his distinctive laid-back lyrical delivery, offsetting the lyrics' often grim content. His music was often semi-autobiographical, telling of hardship and criminality, but also of debauchery and celebration.^[4] Both his death and the death of his friend/rival Tupac Shakur, who died in September 1996, are still unsolved.

The release of Wallace's first album Ready to Die in 1994 made him an East Coast hip hop icon. While recording his second album, Wallace was heavily involved in the East Coast/West Coast hip hop feud, through which record companies from both sides of the United States fostered a feud between New York-based and California-based artists.

He was killed by drive-by shooting in Los Angeles, California on March 9, 1997 at age 24.^[5]

1. ↑ "Rap's first lady". TheGuardian.com. July 10, 2005.
2. ↑ "Biggie Smalls dating history: From Lil Kim to Faith Evans". Capital XTRA.
3. ↑ The 10 Greatest Rappers of All Time (November 12, 2015). Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
4. ↑ Huey, Steve. "Ready to Die > Overview". AllMusic. Retrieved October 7, 2006.
5. ↑ Lichtblau, Eric; Philips, Chuck; Coker, Cheo Hodari (March 10, 1997). "Gangsta rap performer Notorious B.I.G. slain". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 28, 2024.