The Notorious B.I.G.

Early Life and Background

The Notorious B.I.G., also known as Biggie Smalls, was an American rapper and songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all time.

He was born Christopher George Wallace in 1972 in Brooklyn, New York. He was the only son of the only child of Jamaican immigrant parents; his mother, Voletta Wallace, was a preschool teacher, while his father, Selwyn George Latore, was a welder and politician.

Before the age of 3, Wallace’s father left him and his mother. To survive, his mother had to work two jobs.

Wallace grew up in the Clinton Hill neighborhood where he began selling drugs at the age of 12.

Education and Early Interests

Wallace attended St. Peter Claver Church in Brooklyn, where he graduated in 1982.

He also excelled in English at Queen of All Saints Middle School. Wallace briefly attended Westinghouse High School before he dropped out to start selling drugs.

Music Career and Rise to Fame

Wallace started rapping as a teenager and made a demo tape under the name Biggie Smalls which caught the attention of Sean “Puffy” Combs who signed him to Bad Boy Records in 1993.

He released his debut album a year later which turned out to be a massive success and helped establish him as a bonafide star in the hip hop scene.

East Coast-West Coast Rivalry

He also got involved in a rivalry with Tupac Shakur which kickstarted the East Coast-West Coast rap rivalry. The rivalry only intensified after Tupac was shot and Biggie was accused of being involved. However, he denied any involvement and even claimed he had no beef with Tupac.

Death and Legacy

Tupac was fatally shot in 1996 in Las Vegas, Nevada and just six months later, Biggie suffered the same fate. His murder still remains unsolved to this day.

Personal Life

Wallace had two children, a daughter with his then-girlfriend, Jan Jackson, and a son with wife, Faith Evans.