The Notorious B.I.G.
Biggie
Biography
Christopher George Latore Wallace (May 21, 1972 – March 9, 1997), best known as The Notorious B.I.G., was an American rapper and hip hop artist. He was also known as Biggie or Big. Wallace emerged from the Brooklyn borough of New York City. When he released his debut album "Ready to Die" in 1994; he became a central figure in the East Coast hip hop scene and increased New York's presence in the genre, when the West Coast hip-hop dominated the mainstream genre. The following year, Wallace led his childhood friends to chart success through his protégé group, Junior M.A.F.I.A. While recording his second album, Wallace was heavily involved in the growing East/West Coast hip-hop feud. Shortly, after completely his second album; Wallace was killed by an unknown assailant in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles on March 9, 1997. His double-disc set Life After Death, released 16 days later, rose to No. 1 on the U.S. album charts and was certified Diamond in 2000, one of the few hip-hop albums to receive this certification. Wallace was noted for his "loose, easy flow", dark semi-autobiographical lyrics and storytelling abilities. Two more albums have been released since his death . The first being the "Life After Death" album, and the second one being "Born Again", with all new material. 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". Editors of About.com ranked him No. 5 on their list of the Top 50 MCs of Our Time (1987–2007). In 2012, The Source ranked him No. 3 on their list of the Top 50 (Rap) Lyricists of All Time. He has certified sales of over 17 million units in the United States.
Christopher George Latore Wallace (May 21, 1972 – March 9, 1997), best known as The Notorious B.I.G., was an American rapper and hip hop artist. He was also known as Biggie or Big. Wallace emerged from the Brooklyn borough of New York City. When he released his debut album "Ready to Die" in 1994; he became a central figure in the East Coast hip hop scene and increased New York's presence in the genre, when the West Coast hip-hop dominated the mainstream genre. The following year, Wallace led his childhood friends to chart success through his protégé group, Junior M.A.F.I.A. While recording his second album, Wallace was heavily involved in the growing East/West Coast hip-hop feud. Shortly, after completely his second album; Wallace was killed by an unknown assailant in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles on March 9, 1997. His double-disc set Life After Death, released 16 days later, rose to No. 1 on the U.S. album charts and was certified Diamond in 2000, one of the few hip-hop albums to receive this certification. Wallace was noted for his "loose, easy flow", dark semi-autobiographical lyrics and storytelling abilities. Two more albums have been released since his death . The first being the "Life After Death" album, and the second one being "Born Again", with all new material. 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". Editors of About.com ranked him No. 5 on their list of the Top 50 MCs of Our Time (1987–2007). In 2012, The Source ranked him No. 3 on their list of the Top 50 (Rap) Lyricists of All Time. He has certified sales of over 17 million units in the United States.
Achievements
Biggie received numerous awards throughout his career, and is still considered "One of the Greatest Rappers of All Time". Biggie was nominated for Multiple Best Rap Solo Performances and Best Rap Performance by a Duo/Group; throughout the years of 1995-1998. In 1995 Biggie won: New Artist of the Year, Best Lyricist of the Year, Best Live Performer of the Year, and Rap Artist of the Year. In 1997 he won the Best Rap Album of the Year; and in 1998 he won the Best R&B/Soul Album of the Year.
Biggie received numerous awards throughout his career, and is still considered "One of the Greatest Rappers of All Time". Biggie was nominated for Multiple Best Rap Solo Performances and Best Rap Performance by a Duo/Group; throughout the years of 1995-1998. In 1995 Biggie won: New Artist of the Year, Best Lyricist of the Year, Best Live Performer of the Year, and Rap Artist of the Year. In 1997 he won the Best Rap Album of the Year; and in 1998 he won the Best R&B/Soul Album of the Year.
Biggie's Album "Life After Death"
Effects on Hip-Hop
Biggie is considered one of the best rap artists, described by Allmusic as "The Savior of East Coast Hip-Hop". Biggie was named the greatest rapper of all time in 2001 by The Source. In 2003, when XXL Magazine asked several hip-hop artists to list their five favorite MCs. Biggie's name was featured on more rappers' lists than anyone else. In 2006, he was ranked at No. 3 in MTV's The Greatest MC's of All Time. Since his death, Biggie's lyrics have been sampled and quoted by a variety of hip hop, R&B and pop artists including Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Alicia Keys, Fat Joe, Nelly, Ja Rule, Eminem, Lil Wayne, Game, Clinton Sparks, Michael Jackson and Usher. On August 28, 2005, at the 2005 MTV Music Video Awards, Sean Combs (then using the rap alias "P. Diddy") and Snoop Dogg paid tribute to Biggie: an orchestra played while the vocals from "Juicy" and "Warning" played on the arena speakers. VH1 held its second annual "Hip-Hop Honors", with a tribute to Wallace headlining the show in September 2005.
Biggie is considered one of the best rap artists, described by Allmusic as "The Savior of East Coast Hip-Hop". Biggie was named the greatest rapper of all time in 2001 by The Source. In 2003, when XXL Magazine asked several hip-hop artists to list their five favorite MCs. Biggie's name was featured on more rappers' lists than anyone else. In 2006, he was ranked at No. 3 in MTV's The Greatest MC's of All Time. Since his death, Biggie's lyrics have been sampled and quoted by a variety of hip hop, R&B and pop artists including Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Alicia Keys, Fat Joe, Nelly, Ja Rule, Eminem, Lil Wayne, Game, Clinton Sparks, Michael Jackson and Usher. On August 28, 2005, at the 2005 MTV Music Video Awards, Sean Combs (then using the rap alias "P. Diddy") and Snoop Dogg paid tribute to Biggie: an orchestra played while the vocals from "Juicy" and "Warning" played on the arena speakers. VH1 held its second annual "Hip-Hop Honors", with a tribute to Wallace headlining the show in September 2005.