It seems hard to believe that it’s been 13 years since Christopher “Biggie” Wallace was killed, shot four times in the chest on an L.A. roadway. And that, for all the impact he had on hip-hop and pop culture at large, he went out two months shy of his 25th birthday.
After years of conspiracy theories and books and documentaries, the mystery of who did it is still, famously, unsolved; MTV.com looks at the status of the case today in honor of the anniversary date. (The gist: LAPD = shady. Otherwise, not a ton of progress.)
I remember where I was when I heard the news that he was dead—sophomore year of college, on the car stereo at a gas station in California; at first I thought it was just a really tacky radio prank, playing off the death of Tupac Shakur six months before.
But more than that, I remember the first time I heard Ready to Die, the debut album that made him a superstar three years earlier (and the lines shouted out at at every.single.house.party for months after: “Birthdays was the worst days. Now we sip champagne when we thirst-ay”). So while we honor the Biggie who died today, let’s also celebrate the one who lived it larger than life for 24 years:
Tell us your own best Biggie memories in the comments section below.
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Greatest MC of all time!!!
I was in seventh grade when he died. My older brothers were huge fans, I remember feeling sad for them and I definitely felt sad for his friends and families.
I was listening to real music when he died.
Exactly what is that supposed to mean? Tell me you’re not slamming the wonder that was Biggie.
It was more a slam against all rap music in general.
I’m shocked to hear that you feel this way. You’re totally breaking my heart. heh
R.I.P. Biggie – Sometimes your words just hypnotize me.
Sorry! I did go thru a rap phase… but then I graduated from high school.
Okay, so mine carried just slightly beyond – it’s not SO horrible. I like to believe I was a fan back when it was GOOD and meaningful, before it all went wrong (Lil Wayne, I’m looking at you).
Yes, I feel the same way. I might be a few years older than you, but I was a fan when rap had real potential… Public Enemy, Rakim, KRS-One, De La Soul, etc. But then the Tupacs and the Biggies and (worst of all) Puff Daddy turned rap into mindless, misanthropic garbage.
Now don’t make me wave my cane atya!
Damn kids, get off my lawn!!
You might have a couple few years on me at best, but if you’re going to throw De La Soul in there, I can’t with you. We’ll just have to agree to disagree on this genre.
In response to Crispy’s comment: The Notorious BIG embodies everything about “real music.” His music impacted audiences with a range of emotions and he dealt with a plethora of issues: suicide, survival, and materialism to name a few. So in closing, do not attempt to review music that you are unqualified to critique.
R.I.P. B.I.G.
oh now, her comes a crispy/Cliff feud.
Nah. Cliff gave his opinion, and I gave mine. What’s there to feud about?
crisoy tupac is the best alive the ones who kiled hip hop are soujia boy lil wayne and others but you cant say tupac im sorry
THE GREATEST RAPPER OF ALL TIME DIED ON MARCH 9TH….. GOD REST HIS SOUL, REST IN PEACE KID.. IT’S BECAUSE OF HIM NOW AT LEAST I KNOW WHAT BEEF IS….
CRISPY- YOU ARE THE BIGGEST HERB ON THE PLANET. KILL YOURSELF LOSER. BIGGY 4 LIFE. CRISPY 7 FEET UNDER…
crispy your a idiot…tupac and biggy made garbage music?????….yeah ok! have you heard the rap music today…that’s what you call garbage…i wish someone would shoot lil wayne…
The greatest rapper of all time died September 13th 1996..But Hip Hop..TRUE hip hop died March 9th 1997..Even though Im not a big BIG fan I will say the man was amazing…After Pac and Biggie HIP HOP DIED..
It was just the beginning for BIG. He was great! Hip Hop hasn’t been the same since. We need the rappers of his time to come back and bring it back!
Rakim is the greatest rapper of all time. You youngsters need to listen to Eric B and Rakim and hear the greatest “flow’ ever recorded for no one has ever flowed better.
Thank You!!!
Pac and big were so famous cuz they were the first platinum rappers. The giant sales response of that came from beats, not lyrics. Its a shame, kids are raised to believe they were the best but its not even close. my top five:
1. Rakim
2. krs
3. melle mel
4. nas
5. big daddy kane
Boogah must be as old as me. I was there from hip hop/rap beginnings. went to CCNY in the late 70′s. CCNY was ground zero for hip hop. I’d have to say Rakim is the greatest…But if Rakim is number 1, Biggie’s 1-A. Tupac? He’s not on their level. He ain’t even in the top five. How can ya’ll forget Slick Rick, Big Daddy Kane and Kool G Rap? “Flowmasters” all.
Hey, Disco Bee… I believe u sum’D it all up, homey. Although, I believe the realist 2 really do it now would B, Jadakiss. Some other great ones, unfortunatley have died like: BiG PuN & BiG L. I believe BIG PUN was better than BiGGY SMALLS, though!!!
He was going to be even a bigger profile artist when he died, when the Hypnotize single came out. I thought his second album wouldn’t come out. But Sean Combs made sure that it did and it sold in the millions. The singles also did well, very impressive for a posthumous album release. Biggie had an in your face rap style, could rap over any kind of music or groove. He had a cool flow and was a great lyricist. Biggie was the streets in his rap lyrics and flow! We will always remember him every March 9th.
I loved how Biggie spoke about his meeting with Michael Jackson when they recorded together
. Biggie was shy, he was such a nice guy.