Remembering Biggie Smalls On 23rd Anniversary Of His Passing
March 9, 2020 marks the 23rd anniversary of the passing of Hip-Hop’s very own legend, Biggie Smalls, aka The Notorious B.I.G., real name Christopher Wallace, the King of Brooklyn.
Before our eyes, B.I.G., born on May 21, 1972, graduated from street hustling to becoming East Coast Hip-Hop’s saving grace. Sadly, it all came to a screeching halt at the ripe age of 24, after he was murdered in an unsolved drive-by shooting in Los Angeles on March 9, 1997.
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Ahead of his untimely death, the lyrical mastermind flexed his prowess across numerous records, stages and continents; unknowingly leaving behind an unmatchable and unsurpassable legacy for the next generations to not only celebrate him, but to devour and try to imitate.
Leading up to Hip-Hop’s infamous East vs. West feud, B.I.G., notoriously crashed onto the charts and helped Sean “Puffy” Combs‘ Bad Boy label become the biggest Hip-Hop imprint in America; all while paving the way for future moguls, JAY-Z and Nas.
His legacy includes four studio albums: 1994’s Ready to Die; 1997’s Life After Death, and his 1999 and 2005 posthumously-released efforts, Born Again and Duets: The Final Chapter, listed respectively.
In addition to his musical babies, Biggie leaves behind two children, T’yanna Wallace and C.J. Wallace, both whom continue carrying on their father’s immaculate legacy.
Today, In his honor, the Universal Hip Hop Museum is set to honor him just like the “King of Brooklyn” that he is. Though the museum itself doesn’t officially open until 2023 in the Bronx, the organization is hosting this tribute event ahead.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9M3xl5F0k4/?utm_source=ig_embed
Press play below to relive those memories first-hearing some of B.I.G.’s biggest tracks, then catch his last interview, and yap with us after!
https://youtu.be/MfpRizeu-Eo