Research Paper On Biggie Smalls

Ready to Die. This was the title of the Notorious Big’s debut album. Christopher Wallace better known as Biggie Smalls was born on May 21, 1972, in the rough streets of Brooklyn, New York. At the age of 12, Wallace began selling drugs on Fulton Avenue in his neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant, meanwhile, he also began to encounter his passion for rap music. His life as a drug dealer led to his arrest in 1989 for possession of an unregistered firearm, months later he decided to quit school and pursue his rap career. With his popularity on his streets, his rap career took off in no time, leading to one of his tapes in the hands of producer Sean Combs. Smalls rapped about his daily experience on the street corner as well as, the hardships he

In spite of the fact that theories vary, there are a few points of interest to which most researchers collectively concur: On the night of March 9, 1997, Wallace was seen leaving in a GMC Suburban, then moments later, was killed in a drive-by shooting (History.com Staff). Previously, Big was involved in an East coast vs West coast feud, which could possibly be responsible for this situation ( Newton 380). Notorious BIG was a man who was involved in substantial amounts of violence, crime, and vice, yet the events that led up to this situation are unknown. “Despite the fact that Smalls was successful & had left his drug dealing life behind, he continued to fear that his life was in danger” (Katz 365). Smalls told a San Francisco radio station that he was worried about his safety because of his high-profile celebrity status (Katz 365). Although the leads on this case have been counterproductive, it is best believed his previous life in the streets could be accountable for his

Notorious BIG was, in fact, the king of the East Coast and with his major appearance on the rap scene, inevitably created a rivalry between East coast and West coast hip-hop factions (“Notorious B.I.G” 1999). This feud was further fueled on November 30, 1994, when Shakur was robbed and shot four times, Biggie was accused of being involved yet there was no evidence. In retribution, the two rappers continuously exchanged disses, that eventually got too personal, including the claim that Tupac slept with Big’s Wife, singer Faith Evans (“Notorious B.I.G” 2011). Subsequently, in 1996 Tupac was shot and killed, this was the start of a war between the two factions, that neither of the sides was ready for. Many believed that Biggie and Sean ‘Puffy’ Combs were responsible for this murder, but all claims were denied. Six months later, the young and famous Notorious BIG was shot and killed on his way home. Likewise to Tupac’s murder, to this day these two cases still remain unsolved (Newton 381). Many believe that this killing was retaliation for Tupac’s death and was carried out by Suge Knight. Although no arrests have been made for this case, early in February 2015, Suge Knight was convicted of murder as well as attempted murder. “Marion Knight’s life as a rap impresario was also closely aligned with legal problems (Parker). Due to the facts encompassing his death, as