The Notorious B.I.G

(b. Chris Wallace, 21 May 1972, Brooklyn, NY, d. 9 March 1997, LA, CA)

The Brooklyn-born rapper, The Notorious B.I.G., first gained attention for his work on Mary J. Blige’s “What’s the 411?” When he delivered his debut album, Ready to Die, in 1994, it became one of the most popular hip-hop releases of the year. In June of 1995, his single “One More Chance” debuted at number five in the pop singles chart, tying Michael Jackson’s “Scream/Childhood” as the highest-debuting single of all time. Ready to Die continued to gain popularity throughout 1995, eventually selling two million copies.  With its success, the Notorious B.I.G. became the most visible figure in East Coast hip-hop, and he became a target in the heated feud between the two coasts; especially, he and Tupac Shakur, a former ally, became vicious rivals.  

As the Notorious B.I.G. was preparing his second album, Shakur was shot and killed in Las Vegas. Many in the media speculated that Biggie’s camp was responsible for the shooting, accusations that he and his producer, Sean “Puffy” Combs, vehemently denied. However, the wheels had been set in motion for another tragedy.  

Early on the morning of March 9, the Notorious B.I.G. was returning to his hotel in Los Angeles after a Soul Train Award party when another car pulled up beside his car and opened fire, killing him instantly. Shakur had been killed just six months earlier. The Notorious B.I.G.’s second album, the double-disc Life After Death, was released three weeks later, debuting at number one on the charts.  ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All-Music Guide

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The Murder of Biggie Smalls

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12-09-99

It appears that the LAPD may finally have a suspect in the March 1997 murder of Christopher Wallace, better known as The Notorious B.I.G. According to the Los Angeles Times, investigators at the LAPD have reason to suspect that former police officer David. A. Mack met with Death Row records head Marion Suge Knight to arrange a contract killing on the Brooklyn-born rapper. Mack, who is currently serving a 14-year prison sentence for bank robbery is also suspected of hiring a former college classmate, Amir Muhummad, to perform the hit. Muhummad has not been seen since Christmas of 1997 when he visited Mack in prison. A witness identified Mack at the scene near someone who was in Biggie’s motorcade.  He was also seen driving away from the scene in a dark-colored Chevrolet Impala. Mack grew up in the same Compton neighborhood with Knight and has refused to cooperate with the police investigation, even after the department has spent two years building a case against him. However, no formal charges have been filed. ~Blaze 

Get The Book:
The Murder of Biggie Smalls