The Notorious B.I.G.
The Notorious B.I.G., born Christopher Wallace, was a highly acclaimed rapper from Brooklyn, New York. Known for his laid-back delivery and grim lyrics, he rose to fame with his debut album Ready to Die. His second album, released posthumously, solidified his legacy as one of the greatest rappers of all time.
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Christopher George Letore Wallace, also known as Biggie Smalls, was born on May 21, 1972.
In April 1974, Christopher's father left the family.
On January 1, 1989, Biggie was arrested.
Biggie dropped out of high school on May 1, 1989.
After being discovered by local DJ Mister Cee, The Source rap magazine's editor featured Wallace in their column. This led to his signing with Uptown Records on July 14, 1992.
On August 10, 1992, Biggie welcomed his first child.
Biggie signed his first record deal on April 25, 1993.
On August 8, 1993, Jan Jackson, Wallace's long-time girlfriend, gave birth to his first child, T'yanna. Despite their separation, Wallace promised to provide everything for his daughter.
On August 1, 1994, Biggie topped the Billboard charts.
Biggie married Faith Evans on August 4, 1994.
On September 1, 1994, The Notorious B.I.G. released their debut album, making a groundbreaking entry into the music industry.
The album 'Ready To Die' was released, establishing Biggie as a prominent figure in the rap industry.
On January 1, 1995, The Notorious B.I.G. achieved success as his song 'Big Poppa' entered the Top 40 music charts.
On February 1, 1995, The Notorious B.I.G. achieved the top spot on the Hot Dance Music Maxi-Singles Sales chart with one of his hit singles.
The single 'Big Poppa' by Biggie Smalls was certified gold on March 1, 1995.
Biggie Smalls' album 'Ready To Die' was certified platinum on January 1, 1996.
On March 23, 1996, The Notorious B.I.G. was arrested outside a Manhattan nightclub for chasing and threatening to kill two fans seeking autographs. He pleaded guilty to second-degree harassment and was sentenced to 100 hours of community service.
On October 29, 1996, Faith Evans gave birth to The Notorious B.I.G.'s son, Christopher 'C.J.' Wallace Jr.
On February 16, 1997, The Notorious B.I.G. traveled to California to promote his album Life After Death and shoot a music video for the single 'Hypnotize'. He was involved in a domestic dispute with his girlfriend during this time.
On March 8, 1997, The Notorious B.I.G. attended a party in Los Angeles and was fatally shot while returning to his hotel. His funeral was attended by many prominent figures in the music industry.
The Notorious B.I.G. tragically passed away due to homicide in Los Angeles, California.
On March 18, 1997, The Notorious B.I.G.'s funeral was held in Manhattan with numerous mourners present. His body was cremated after the funeral.
Just two weeks after his murder, The Notorious B.I.G.'s second album Life After Death, a double album, was released on March 25, 1997. The album debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 chart and included hit singles like 'Hypnotize' and 'Mo Money Mo Problems'.
In December 1999, Bad Boy released the 'Born Again' album, which featured previously unreleased material mixed with new guest appearances. The album received both positive reviews and criticism for its unlikely pairings.
In 2001, The Notorious B.I.G. appeared on Michael Jackson's 'Invincible' album. This collaboration showcased his vocals on the project.
In 2002, The Notorious B.I.G.'s vocals were heard on hit songs such as 'Foolish' and 'Realest Niggas' by Ashanti. His contribution added to the success of these tracks.
The Notorious B.I.G. collaborated with Shakur on the song 'Runnin' (Dying to Live)' in 2003. This collaboration brought together two iconic figures in hip-hop.
In 2004, Rolling Stone recognized Wallace as one of the few young male songwriters in any pop style writing credible love songs.
In 2005, 'Duets: The Final Chapter' was released, continuing the pattern started on 'Born Again'. The album faced criticism for the lack of significant vocals by The Notorious B.I.G. on some songs.
The Notorious B.I.G. was featured in archive footage in the 2007 documentary 'Notorious B.I.G. Bigger Than Life'.
A biographical film about The Notorious B.I.G.'s life, starring Jamal Woolard as Wallace. The movie received mixed reviews and grossed over $44 million worldwide.
On May 19, 2017, the duet album 'The King & I' featuring Faith Evans and The Notorious B.I.G. was released. The album contained previously unreleased music, showcasing the collaboration between the two artists.
The Notorious B.I.G. was featured in archive footage in the 2018 documentary 'Quincy'.
Wallace's son, C.J., released a house remix of his father's hit 'Big Poppa' in August 2020.
A Netflix documentary executive-produced by Voletta Wallace and Combs, focusing on The Notorious B.I.G.'s life before he rose to fame as 'The King of New York'.
The Notorious B.I.G.
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