10 Unforgettable Moments in The Notorious B.I.G.’s Career
The Source Unsigned Hype
Back in the day, before rappers were signed because of YouTube views or blog hits, getting a major label’s attention was no joke. The Notorious B.I.G. got his first “big break” by being featured in The Source’s "Unsigned Hype" column, a write-up spotlighting buzzy underground rappers, in 1992. The article, penned by Matty C, featured such boasts as “Straight outta Brooklyn, New York, the heavy-set brother B-I-G has mad skills. His rhymes are fatter than he is.”
Back in the day, before rappers were signed because of YouTube views or blog hits, getting a major label’s attention was no joke. The Notorious B.I.G. got his first “big break” by being featured in The Source’s "Unsigned Hype" column, a write-up spotlighting buzzy underground rappers, in 1992. The article, penned by Matty C, featured such boasts as “Straight outta Brooklyn, New York, the heavy-set brother B-I-G has mad skills. His rhymes are fatter than he is.”
Ready to Die
Few rap albums have garnered such acclaim as Biggie’s debut Ready to Die in 1994. Songs like “Suicidal Thoughts” and “Machine Gun Funk” gave grim glimpses into street life while the singles “Juicy” and “Big Poppa” proved the rapper was also extremely commercially viable. Once Ready to Die dropped, Biggie was soon crowned the King of New York, a title many feel he still holds to this day.
Few rap albums have garnered such acclaim as Biggie’s debut Ready to Die in 1994. Songs like “Suicidal Thoughts” and “Machine Gun Funk” gave grim glimpses into street life while the singles “Juicy” and “Big Poppa” proved the rapper was also extremely commercially viable. Once Ready to Die dropped, Biggie was soon crowned the King of New York, a title many feel he still holds to this day.
Biggie and Faith
Before there was Jay and Beyonce, there was Biggie and Faith. The two met at a photoshoot for their mutual home Bad Boy Records. Faith gave the rapper a ride home and the rest is hip-hop history. The unlikely pair got married quickly thereafter, in 1994. Despite making beautiful music together on wax (“One More Chance” remix), the relationship would be plagued by several issues including accusations of mutual infidelity. Big and Faith had one son, Christopher Jr., together after a brief reconciliation in 1996.
Before there was Jay and Beyonce, there was Biggie and Faith. The two met at a photoshoot for their mutual home Bad Boy Records. Faith gave the rapper a ride home and the rest is hip-hop history. The unlikely pair got married quickly thereafter, in 1994. Despite making beautiful music together on wax (“One More Chance” remix), the relationship would be plagued by several issues including accusations of mutual infidelity. Big and Faith had one son, Christopher Jr., together after a brief reconciliation in 1996.
Lil’ Kim and Junior M.A.F.I.A.
Without Biggie, there would be no Junior M.A.F.I.A. or the group’s standout superstar Lil’ Kim. The diminutive diva was a childhood friend of Biggie’s and her first album, Hard Core, was created under his direction. Kim has come out publicly and stated that the two did have a romantic affair as well. “I loved him with all my heart,” Kim said in an October ’99 VIBE interview. On a February 2003 episode of VH1’s Driven, Lil’ Kim said she had been pregnant with Biggie’s child before suffering a miscarriage.
Without Biggie, there would be no Junior M.A.F.I.A. or the group’s standout superstar Lil’ Kim. The diminutive diva was a childhood friend of Biggie’s and her first album, Hard Core, was created under his direction. Kim has come out publicly and stated that the two did have a romantic affair as well. “I loved him with all my heart,” Kim said in an October ’99 VIBE interview. On a February 2003 episode of VH1’s Driven, Lil’ Kim said she had been pregnant with Biggie’s child before suffering a miscarriage.
"Brooklyn’s Finest”
One of the greatest hip-hop collaborations of all time is without a doubt Biggie and Jay-Z’s “Brooklyn’s Finest” from Hov’s debut Reasonable Doubt. A true sparring of lyricists, Big and Jay-Z trade verses, each trying to one-up the other, over a sick Clark Kent beat. The song has become a cult classic among Jay fans and helped usher in the new rapper as next in line for the East Coast throne.
One of the greatest hip-hop collaborations of all time is without a doubt Biggie and Jay-Z’s “Brooklyn’s Finest” from Hov’s debut Reasonable Doubt. A true sparring of lyricists, Big and Jay-Z trade verses, each trying to one-up the other, over a sick Clark Kent beat. The song has become a cult classic among Jay fans and helped usher in the new rapper as next in line for the East Coast throne.
East Coast/West Coast Feud
The so-called East Coast versus West Coast feud plagued rap in the 1990s and Biggie was at its epicenter, representing the East, while 2Pac Shakur symbolized the West. Songs like Biggie’s “Who Shot Ya?” and 2Pac’s “Hit Em Up” were considered diss records at the opposite coast (Pac’s dig much more overt than Big’s). Once 2Pac died in 1996, Biggie publicly claimed he wanted to squash whatever beef was brewing and even penned his ode to the left, “Going Back To Cali.”
The so-called East Coast versus West Coast feud plagued rap in the 1990s and Biggie was at its epicenter, representing the East, while 2Pac Shakur symbolized the West. Songs like Biggie’s “Who Shot Ya?” and 2Pac’s “Hit Em Up” were considered diss records at the opposite coast (Pac’s dig much more overt than Big’s). Once 2Pac died in 1996, Biggie publicly claimed he wanted to squash whatever beef was brewing and even penned his ode to the left, “Going Back To Cali.”
Life After Death
Life After Death dropped just weeks after Biggie’s tragic death on March 9, 1997. The two-disc album quickly became a commercial and critical success, selling over 10 million copies in the US alone. The album spawned hits like “Hypnotize” and “Mo Money, Mo Problems,” which helped solidify Bad Boy Records as a hip-hop powerhouse even after Big’s demise.
Life After Death dropped just weeks after Biggie’s tragic death on March 9, 1997. The two-disc album quickly became a commercial and critical success, selling over 10 million copies in the US alone. The album spawned hits like “Hypnotize” and “Mo Money, Mo Problems,” which helped solidify Bad Boy Records as a hip-hop powerhouse even after Big’s demise.
Puff Daddy
Biggie and his producer, best friend and executive Puff Daddy (now Diddy) were integral in each other’s careers. Biggie was initially going to executive produce Puffy’s Hell Up In Harlem, which was later renamed No Way Out and became a hit album with the tribute single “I’ll Be Missing You.”
Biggie and his producer, best friend and executive Puff Daddy (now Diddy) were integral in each other’s careers. Biggie was initially going to executive produce Puffy’s Hell Up In Harlem, which was later renamed No Way Out and became a hit album with the tribute single “I’ll Be Missing You.”
Michael Jackson Meets Biggie Smalls
Few rappers in history have had the honor of working with the late great Michael Jackson, but Biggie did with 1995’s “This Time Around.” The song was produced by Dallas Austin and features vocals from Frank White.
Few rappers in history have had the honor of working with the late great Michael Jackson, but Biggie did with 1995’s “This Time Around.” The song was produced by Dallas Austin and features vocals from Frank White.
Notorious
In 2009, Biggie’s legacy was cemented on the silver screen with the biopic Notorious. The film highlighted Biggie’s career, rise and eventual murder. To this day, The Notorious B.I.G. is one of the few rappers to have his story told for the history books.
In 2009, Biggie’s legacy was cemented on the silver screen with the biopic Notorious. The film highlighted Biggie’s career, rise and eventual murder. To this day, The Notorious B.I.G. is one of the few rappers to have his story told for the history books.
