Introduction
Revered as one of the greatest rappers in hip-hop history, Biggie Smalls, also known as The Notorious B.I.G., is an iconic figure in the music industry. His hard-hitting lyrics, distinctive flow, and notorious street tales shaped the contours of the rap game during its crucial golden age development in the ’90s. Even years after his untimely demise, his influence and impressive discography have eternalized his name in the annals of music history, contributing to his substantial net worth, despite his brief career.
Early Life
Christopher George Latore Wallace, widely known by his stage names, Biggie Smalls and The Notorious B.I.G., was born on May 21, 1972, in Brooklyn, New York City, USA. His mother, Voletta Wallace, a Jamaican preschool teacher, raised him single-handedly, as his father, Selwyn George Latore, deserted the family when Biggie was just two years old. Despite the circumstances, Wallace was a diligent student, excelling at Queen of All Saints Middle School as an English student.
Life took a tumultuous turn, however, when he transferred to the George Westinghouse Information Technology High School, where Wallace got involved in the drug trade—a life event he would later frequently reference in his music. He never completed his academic career, dropping out of school at the tender age of seventeen, but the streets’ knowledge and the hustle became a cornerstone of his lyrical substance.
Profile Summary
Full name: Christopher George Latore Wallace
Age: Deceased at 24 (March 9, 1997)
Birthday: May 21, 1972
Nationality: American
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York, USA
Occupation: Rapper, Songwriter
Known for: Being one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all time
Net Worth: $10 million (as of 2021 according to Celebrity Net Worth)
Career Highlights
Despite his turbulent adolescence, Biggie found his bearing through rap music. Through DJ Mister Cee, he was introduced to ‘The Source,’ which featured him in its ‘Unsigned Hype’ column—a significant breakthrough for the budding rapper. This created a pathway to his introduction to Sean Combs, known as Puff Daddy, who signed him to his label, Bad Boy Records.
Biggie’s debut album “Ready to Die” (1994) was a commercial success, cementing his place as one of the leading figures in the East Coast hip-hop scene. The album’s hit singles like “Juicy,” “Big Poppa,” and “One More Chance” peaked on Billboard charts, driving his career to new heights.
However, his career wasn’t without controversy. Biggie’s life and career were overshadowed by the East Coast – West Coast hip hop feud, notably involving Tupac Shakur, also a great and influential rapper. This feud led to both of their untimely deaths—Biggie was murdered in a drive-by shooting incident in Los Angeles in 1997, just six months after Tupac met a similar fate.
Even though he released only one album while alive, the posthumous albums “Life After Death” and “Born Again” after his death further escalated his fame and fortune. His life and music continue to influence contemporary hip-hop artists, and his legacy lives on as an immortal icon of the rap industry. Despite his early demise, the towering figure that Biggie Smalls erected in the music world remains as robust and as relevant as ever.
English 
Spanish