Life After Death is the second and final studio album by American rapper The Notorious B.I.G., released March 25, 1997 on Bad Boy Records. A double album, it was released posthumously following his death on March 9, 1997 and serves as his final studio album. The album is the follow-up to The Notorious B.I.G.'s debut album, Ready to Die (1994), and it features collaborations with guest artists such as 112, Jay-Z, Lil Kim, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, R. Kelly, The LOX, Kelly Price, and Puff Daddy. Life After Death exhibits The Notorious B.I.G. further delving into the mafioso rap subgenre.

Life After Death was released to a significant amount of critical praise and commercial success. In 2000, the album was certified diamond in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) (one of only 3 hip hop albums to receive this certification), and it has been credited as one of the best-selling rap albums of all time. It also made the largest jump to number 1 on the Billboard 200 chart in history, jumping from number 176 to number 1 in one week. The album was nominated for three Grammy Awards in 1998, including Best Rap Album, Best Rap Solo Performance for its first single "Hypnotize", and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for its second single "Mo Money Mo Problems". Along with Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… (1995), AZ's Doe Or Die (1995), Jay-Z's Reasonable Doubt (1996), and Nas' It Was Written (1996) Life After Death has been considered by music writers as one of the seminal mafioso rap albums, as well as a milestone in hip hop music.

Conception

Background

Two and a half years prior to the album's release, The Notorious B.I.G. had married Faith Evans, became East Coast's icon in the East Coast vs. West Coast rivalry and made guest appearances on albums by Jay-Z and Luke amongst others. The album was originally supposed to be released on Halloween of 1996, but was pushed back to 1997. Two weeks prior to the album's release, The Notorious B.I.G. was shot four times in a drive-by shooting and pronounced dead at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. The album sold 690,000 copies in its first week and was Certified Diamond in 2000.

Beef References and Subliminal Disses

Many songs on both discs contain subtle references to B.I.G.'s rivals.

Kick In The Door

The track "Kick In The Door" is directed at Nas, Jeru the Damaja, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah and even the track's producer DJ Premier. The subliminal messages had been speculated by listeners and confirmed by artists on several occasions, including XXL Magazine's April 2003 edition "The Making of: Life After Death".

In the "The Making of: Life After Death" Nashiem Myrick reveals that the second verse has lines directed at Jeru the Damaja & DJ Premierhttp: "Nas said that record was for him, but when Big said, “Son, I’m surprised you run with them/I think they got cum in them, ’cause they nothin’ but dicks,” he was talking about Jeru the Damaja to Premo ’cause Jeru was going at Big and Puff and all them ."

The line "Fuck that, why try, throw bleach in your eye" is a reference to Raekwon's jab on the track "Ice Water" from Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... where Raekwon raps

That's life, to top it all off, beef for white

pullin bleach out tryin to throw it in my eyesight

The lines on the final verse are directed at Nas as a reference to Nas challenging The Notorious B.I.G. for the title of King of N.Y.http in the song "The Message" from the album It Was Written in which Nas raps

Yo let me let y'all niggaz know one thing

There's one life, one love, so there can only be one King

Biggie struck back with the lines:

Ain't no other kings in this rap thing

They siblings, nothing but my chil'ren

One shot, they disappearin'

It's ill when, MC's used to be on cruddy shit

Took home, Ready to Die, listened, studied shit

Now they on some money shit, successful out the blue

In the "The Making of: Life After Death" article Lil’ Cease explains: "Big talked about Nas a little bit in that shit. It was the King of New York part, the last verse: “This goes out for those that chose to use disrespectful views on the King of NY.” That’s when Nas had that freestyle out, where he was like, “I’ll take the crown off the so-called King and lock it down.” That’s when Big had the cover of The Source, and it said, “The King of New York.”

Nas has touched on the track on his album God's Son. Here Nas states:

Y'all don't know about my Biggie wars

Who you thought 'Kick In The Door' was for?

And finally commenting on the whole situation with Ghostface and Raekwon:

BIG was ahead of his time, him and Raekwon my niggaz

But dig it, they couldn't get along

That's when Ghostface said it on the Purple Tape

Bad Boy biting Nas album cover, wait??

BIG told me Rae was stealing my slang

And Rae told me out in Shaolin BIG would do the same thing

Long Kiss Goodnight

It was also speculated by many listeners that the song "Long Kiss Goodnight" contains subtle insults towards 2Pac and Death Row Records C.E.O. Suge Knight although at the time it was denied due to the sensitive nature of both rapper's recent deaths. However, Lil' Cease, a close friend of Biggie and a member of Junior M.A.F.I.A. claimed the following in XXL Magazine April 2003 issue about Long Kiss Goodnight: "That was about ’Pac. He had some shit at the beginning of that though, nobody heard it, on the reel. We had to change it. It was a little too much. I can’t remember what Big said about him, but it was terrible. It couldn’t make it. He didn’t want to do it. He had some fire. But he didn’t want to make it too much. He just wanted to address it and to let nigga know, “I know what’s going on, and I could get wreck if I want to.” Like, “If I really wanted to get on ya niggas, I could.”

Sean Combs, however, denies these claims stating: "Naw, it was just some emcee lyrics. I know people wanna have their imagination, but it was just lyrics. You're hearing it from the horse's mouth. I would tell the truth."

A line in the first verse is supposedly aimed at 2Pac in reference to the November 1994 shooting at Quad Studios, he raps:

When my men bust you just move with such stamina

Slugs missed ya, I Ain't Mad at Cha (We Ain't Mad at Cha)

The last 2 verses in particular are allegedly directed towards Tupac:

I'm flaming gats, aimin at, these fuckin

maniacs, put my name in raps, what part the

game is that? Like they hustle backwards

I smoke Backwoods and Dutchies, ya can't touch me

Try to rush me, slugs go, touchy-touchy

You're bleeding lovely, with your, spirit above me

or beneath me, your whole life you live sneaky

Now you rest eternally, sleepy, you burn when you creep me

Rest where the worms and the weak be

...

Slugs hit your chest tap your spine, flat line

Heard through the grapevine, you got fucked four times

Damn that three to nine, fucked you up for real doe

Sling steal slow, as for remorse, we feel no

The lines make reference to Tupac frequently mentioning Biggie by name in his raps (a practice that was not common at the time), and allegations spread by Wendy Williams that he had been raped in his prison term at Rikers Island. Some listeners have interpreted the lines as Biggie admitting that he killed 2Pac, however the context of Puff Daddy's ranting throughout the track implies that the target in the song is still alive.

Other references

Going Back to Cali's second verse opens up with Biggie's thoughts on the inter-coastal war and his relationship with the West Coast:

If I got to choose a coast I got to choose the East

I live out there, so don't go there

But that don't mean a nigga can't rest in the West

See some nice breasts in the West

Smoke some nice sess in the West, y'all niggaz is a mess

Thinkin I'm gon stop, givin L.A. props

All I got is beef with those that violate me

I shall annihilate thee

In the song "Notorious Thugs" B.I.G. refers to long time nemesis 2Pac in the line "so called beef with you-know-who.", calling the feud between him and Shakur 'bullshit', While Bone Thugs make disses towards Three 6 Mafia, Twista, Crucial Conflict and Do or Die.

"My Downfall", "Your Nobody Till Somebody Kills You", and "What's Beef" also contains lyrics allegedly aimed towards 2Pac.

To this day, Bad Boy denies that Biggie ever recorded a diss track against 2Pac in fear of heightening East Coast-West Coast tensions.

Yet, on Jay-Z's 1996 album Reasonable Doubt, B.I.G. raps:

The two for five dollar hits, the blue tops

Gotta go, Coolio mean it's gettin "Too Hot"

If Faith had twins, she'd probably have two-Pac's

Get it? .. Tu-pac's

The song "Can I Get Witcha", which was featured on Biggie's first posthumous album Born Again, also mentions 2Pac by name.

Reception

Since the album's release, it has been considered one of the greatest rap albums in hip hop history, and has also been a major influence on many rap artists. It is The Notorious B.I.G.'s best selling album.

Accolades

*The information regarding accolades is adapted from AcclaimedMusic.nethttp accept for lists that are sourced otherwise.

*(*) signifies unordered lists

Legacy and influence

Though released in the wake of B.I.G.'s fatal shooting, Life After Death signaled a stylistic change in gangsta rap as it crossed over to the commercial mainstream. After the release of Life After Death, Puff Daddy’s Bad Boy Records continued to bring pop and gangsta rap closer together: the references to violence and drug dealing remained, as did the entire "gangsta" rhetoric, but the overall production style changed from the previously darker sound to a cleaner, sample-heavy, more upbeat sound that was directly fashioned for the mainstream pop charts, as seen in the single "Mo Money Mo Problems". The Notorious B.I.G. is often credited with initiating this transition, as he was among the first mainstream rappers to produce albums with a calculated attempt to include both gritty and realistic gangsta narratives as well as more radio-friendly productions. Much of the album is produced by Deric "D-Dot" Angelettie, Carlos "July Six" Broady, Ron "Amen-Ra" Lawrence, and Nashiem Myrick. However, other notable hip-hop producers such as Easy Mo Bee, Havoc (Mobb Deep), DJ Premier and RZA contributed beats to the album as well.

Various artists were specifically influenced by several songs on Life After Death. Evidence's "Down in New York City" is essentially "Going Back to Cali" from the perspective of a West Coast artist. Jay-Z borrows four bars from "The World Is Filled..." in his song "I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)," as well as the chorus from his song "Squeeze 1st" from "Hypnotize", a line in "The Ruler's Back" from "Kick in the Door" and "You're Nobody ('Til Somebody Kills You)" on "D.O.A." Ice Cube borrows the chorus from "Kick in the Door" for his song "Child Support".

Chart history

;Album

;Singles

;Chart procession and succession

Personnel

* Barry White - Hair Stylist

* Kit Walker - Sampled Keyboards

* The Notorious B.I.G. - Performer, Songwriter, Producer, Liner Notes

* Karen Anderson - Vocals (background)

* Too Short - Vocals

* Easy Mo Bee - Producer

* Michael Ciro - Guitar

* Sean "Puffy" Combs - Producer, Mixing

* DJ Premier - Producer

* Ben Garrison - Engineer

* Rich July - Engineer

* Marvin Scandrick - Vocals, Vocals (background) (112)

* Quinnes Parker - Vocals, Vocals (background) (112)

* Daron Jones - Producer, Vocals, Vocals (background) (112)

* Michael Keith - Vocals, Vocals (background) (112)

* Clark Kent - Producer

* Paul Logus - Mixing

* Manny Marroquin - Engineer

* Tony Maserati - Mixing

* Axel Niehaus - Engineer

* Michael Patterson - Engineer, Mixing

* Herb Powers - Mastering

* RZA - Producer

* Eddie Sancho - Mixing

* Richard Travali - Mixing

* Doug Wilson - Engineer

* DJ Enuf - Producer

* Faith Evans - Vocals (background)

* Carl Thomas - Vocals

* Pierre Retrayt - Producer

* Rasheed Goodlowe - Engineer

* Nasheim Myrick - Producer

* Michael Lavine - Photography

* Camilo Argumedes - Engineer

* Deric Angelettie - Producer

* Stevie J. - Producer

* Prince Charles Alexander - Engineer, Mixing

* Carlos Broady - Organ (Hammond), Producer

* Lane Craven - Engineer, Mixing

* Krayzie Bone - Vocals

* Deborah "Portia" Neeley Rolle - Vocals (background)

* Jiv Pos - Producer

* Jleon6 - Executive Producer

* Stephen Dent - Engineer

* Lynn Montrose - Engineer

* Steve Jones - Engineer

* Bizzy Bone - Vocals

* John Meredith - Engineer

* Layzie Bone - Vocals

* Diana Pedraza - Engineer

* Mike Pitts - Assistant Producer

* Kay Gee - Producer

* Groovey Lew - Stylist

* Ron Grant - Guest Appearance

* Keanna Henson - Vocals (background)

* Justin Cortinas- Producer

See also

*List of best-selling albums in the United States

References

Artist/Band Information

Christopher George Latore Wallace (May 21, 1972 – March 9, 1997) was an American rapper. He was popularly known as Biggie Smalls (after a character in the 1975 film Let's Do It Again) or simply Biggie, Frank White (after the main character of the 1990 film King of New York),Reid, Shaheem; Bland, Bridget. Kash, Tim MTV News, 2007-03-07. Retrieved on 2007-03-11 and by his primary stage name The Notorious B.I.G..

Raised in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, Wallace grew up during the peak years of the 1980s United States crack epidemic and started dealing drugs at an early age. When Wallace released his debut album Ready to Die in 1994, he was a central figure in the East Coast hip hop scene and increased New York's visibility at a time when West Coast artists were more common in the mainstream. The following year, Wallace led his childhood friends to chart success through his protégé group, Junior M.A.F.I.A.. While recording his second album, Wallace was heavily involved in the East Coast–West Coast hip hop feud, dominating the scene at the time.

On March 9, 1997, Wallace was killed by an unknown assailant in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles. His double-disc set Life After Death, released 15 days later, hit #1 on the U.S. album charts and was certified Diamond in 2000. Wallace was noted for his "loose, easy flow", dark semi-autobiographical lyrics and storytelling abilities. Since his death, a further two albums have been released. MTV ranked him at #3 on their list of The Greatest MCs of All Time. MTV. Retrieved on 2006-12-26

He has sold 17 million albums in the United States.http

Early life

Born in St. Mary's Hospital, Wallace, despite later claiming to be raised in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, grew up in neighboring Clinton Hill.Franklin, Marcus. . Associated Press via Yahoo. January 17, 2009. Wallace was the only child of Voletta Wallace, a Jamaican pre-school teacher, and George Latore, a welder and small-time Jamaican politician. His father left the family when Wallace was two years old, leaving his mother to work two jobs while raising him. At the Queen of All Saints Middle School, Wallace excelled in class, winning several awards as an English student. He was nicknamed "Big" because of his size before he turned 10. At the age of 12, he began selling drugs. His mother, often away at work, did not know that her son was selling drugs until Wallace was an adult.Touré The New York Times, 1994-12-18. Retrieved on 2008-03-26

At his request, Wallace transferred out of the private Roman Catholic school that he attended to attend the state-funded George Westinghouse Information Technology High School. Jay-Z and Busta Rhymes were also students at that school. According to his mother, Wallace was still a good student, but developed a "smart-ass" attitude at the new school. At seventeen, Wallace dropped out of high school and became further involved in crime. In 1989, he was arrested on weapons charges in Brooklyn and sentenced to five years' probation. In 1990, he was arrested on a violation of his probation. A year later, Wallace was arrested in North Carolina for dealing crack cocaine. He spent nine months behind bars until he made bail.

Rapping career

Wallace began rapping when he was a teenager. He would entertain people on the streets with his rapping as well as perform with local groups, the Old Gold Brothers and the Techniques. After being released from prison, Wallace made a demo tape under the name Biggie Smalls, a reference to his childhood nickname and to his stature; he stood at 6' 3" (1.90 m) and weighed as much as 300 to 380 pounds according to differing accounts. The tape was reportedly made with no serious intent of getting a recording deal, but was promoted by New York-based DJ Mister Cee, who had previously worked with Big Daddy Kane, and was heard by the editor of The Source.Marriott, Michel The New York Times, March 17, 1997. Retrieved on 2008-03-26

In March 1992, Wallace featured in The Source's Unsigned Hype column, dedicated to aspiring rappers and was invited to produce a recording with other unsigned artists, in a move that was reportedly uncommon at the time. The demo tape was heard by Uptown Records A&R and record producer, Sean "Puffy" Combs, who arranged for a meeting with Wallace. He was signed to Uptown immediately and made an appearance on label mates, Heavy D & the Boyz' "A Buncha Niggas" (from the album Blue Funk).

Soon after signing his recording contract, Combs was fired from Uptown and started a new label.Duncan, Andrea et al. . XXL magazine, 2006-03-09. Retrieved on 2007-03-18 Wallace followed and in mid-1992, signed to Combs' new imprint label, Bad Boy Records. On August 8, 1993, Wallace's long-term girlfriend gave birth to his first child, T'yanna.. Retrieved on 2006-12-28 Wallace continued selling drugs after the birth to support his daughter financially. Once this was discovered by Combs, he was made to quit.

Wallace gained exposure later in the year on a remix to Mary J. Blige's single "Real Love", under the pseudonym The Notorious B.I.G., the name he would record under for the remainder of his career, after finding the original moniker "Biggie Smalls" was already in use. "Real Love" peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was followed by a remix of Blige's "What's the 411".

He continued this success, to a lesser extent, on remixes with Neneh Cherry ("Buddy X") and reggae artist Super Cat ("Dolly My Baby", also featuring Combs) in 1993. In April 1993, his solo track, "Party and Bullshit", appeared on the Who's the Man? soundtrack. In July 1994, he appeared alongside LL Cool J and Busta Rhymes on a remix to label mate Craig Mack's "Flava in Ya Ear", reaching #9 on the Hot 100.

Ready to Die and marriage

On August 4, 1994, Wallace married singer Faith Evans nine days after they met at a Bad Boy photoshoot.Chappell, Kevin (April 1999). . Ebony. Accessed 2008-10-15.Nero, Mark Edward About.com. Accessed 2006-12-04.

Four days later, Wallace had his first pop chart success as a solo artist with double A-side, "Juicy/Unbelievable", which reached #27 as the lead single to his debut album.

Ready to Die was released on September 13, 1994, and reached #13 on the Billboard 200 chart, eventually being certified four times Platinum. The album, released at a time when West Coast hip hop was prominent in the U.S. charts, according to Rolling Stone, "almost single-handedly... shifted the focus back to East Coast rap". It gained strong reviews on release and has received much praise in retrospect.Tyrangiel, Josh Time, November 13, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-12-10 In addition to "Juicy", the record produced two hit singles; the Platinum-selling "Big Poppa", which reached #1 on the U.S. rap chart, and "One More Chance" featuring Faith Evans, a loosely related remix of an album track and its best selling single.

Junior M.A.F.I.A. and coastal feud

In August 1995, Wallace's protegé group, Junior M.A.F.I.A. ("Junior Masters At Finding Intelligent Attitudes"), consisting of his friends from childhood released their debut album entitled Conspiracy. The group included rappers such as Lil' Kim and Lil' Cease, who went on to have solo careers.Lane, Hai, Lydia Allmusic. Retrieved on 2007-02-18 The record went Gold and its singles, "Player's Anthem" and "Get Money" both featuring Wallace, went Gold and Platinum. Wallace continued to work with R&B artists, collaborating with Bad Boy groups 112 (on "Only You") and Total (on "Can't You See"), with both reaching the top 20 of the Hot 100.

Biggie and Tupac still.jpgthumbEarly image of Wallace (left) and Tupac Shakur. Photograph is taken from the documentary film Biggie & Tupac, directed by Nick Broomfield

By the end of the year, Wallace was the top-selling male solo artist and rapper on the U.S. pop and R&B charts. In July 1995, he appeared on the cover of The Source with the caption "The King of New York Takes Over". At the Source Awards, he was named Best New Artist (Solo), Lyricist of the Year, Live Performer of the Year, and his debut Album of the Year. At the Billboard Awards, he was Rap Artist of the Year.

In his year of success, Wallace became involved in a rivalry between the East and West Coast hip-hop scenes with Tupac Shakur, his former associate. In an interview with Vibe magazine in April 1995, while serving time in Clinton Correctional Facility, Shakur accused Uptown Records' founder Andre Harrell, Sean Combs, and Wallace of having prior awareness of a robbery that resulted in him being shot repeatedly and losing thousands of dollars worth of jewelry on the night of November 30, 1994. Though Wallace and his entourage were in the same Manhattan-based recording studio at the time of the occurrence, they denied the accusation.

Following release from prison, Shakur signed to Death Row Records on October 15, 1995. Bad Boy Records and Death Row, now business rivals, became involved in an intense quarrel.Carney, Thomas PBS. Retrieved on 2006-12-09

Arrests, Shakur's death and second child

Wallace began recording his second record album in September 1995. The album, recorded in New York, Trinidad and Los Angeles, was interrupted during its 18 months of creation by injury, legal wranglings and the highly publicized hip hop dispute in which he was involved.Caramanica, Jon et al. . XXL magazine (April 2003). Retrieved on 2007-01-06 During this time he also worked with pop singer Michael Jackson for the HIStory album.http

On March 23, 1996, Wallace was arrested outside a Manhattan nightclub for chasing and threatening to kill two autograph seekers, smashing the windows of their taxicab and then pulling one of the fans out and punching them. He pleaded guilty to second-degree harassment and was sentenced to 100 hours of community service. In mid-1996, he was arrested at his home in Teaneck, New Jersey, for drug and weapons possession charges.

In June 1996, Shakur released "Hit 'Em Up"; a diss song in which he explicitly claimed to have had sex with Wallace's wife (at the time estranged), and that Wallace copied his style and image. Wallace referred to the first claim in regards to his wife's pregnancy on Jay-Z's "Brooklyn's Finest", but did not directly respond to the record during his lifetime, stating in a 1997 radio interview it is "not style" to respond.

Shakur was shot multiple times in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada, on September 7, 1996. He would die six days later of complications from the gunshot wounds. Rumors of Wallace's involvement with Shakur's murder were reported almost immediately, and later in a two-part article by Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter Chuck Philips in the Los Angeles Times in September 2002. BBC News 2002-09-02. Retrieved on 2007-01-26 Wallace denied the allegation claiming he was in a New York recording studio at the time.Bruno, Anthony Court TV Crime Library. Retrieved on 2007-01-24 The article written by Philips was found out to be completely false and the paper later published a front page retraction. Following his death, an anti-violence hip hop summit was held.

On October 29, 1996, Faith Evans gave birth to Wallace's first son, Christopher "CJ" Wallace, Jr. The following month Junior M.A.F.I.A. member Lil' Kim released her debut album, Hard Core, under Wallace's direction while the two were involved in an apparent love affair. She was also pregnant with Wallace's child but decided to have an abortion.

Life After Death and car accident

During the recording sessions for his second record, tentatively named "Life After Death... 'Til Death Do Us Part", later shortened to Life After Death, Wallace was involved in a car accident that shattered his left leg and confined him to a wheelchair. The injury forced him to use a cane.

In January 1997, Wallace was ordered to pay US$41,000 in damages following an incident involving a friend of a concert promoter who claimed Wallace and his entourage beat him up following a dispute in May 1995. MTV News, 1997-01-27. Retrieved on 2006-12-23 He faced criminal assault charges for the incident which remain unresolved, but all robbery charges were dropped. Following the events of the previous year, Wallace spoke of a desire to focus on his "peace of mind". "My mom... my son... my daughter... my family... my friends are what matters to me now".

March 1997 shooting and death

Wallace traveled to California in February 1997 to promote his upcoming album and record a music video for its lead single, "Hypnotize". On March 5, 1997 Wallace gave a radio interview with The Dog House on KYLD in San Francisco, California. In the interview he stated that he had hired security since he feared for his safety, but this was because he was a celebrity figure, not specifically a rapper. Life After Death was scheduled for release on March 25, 1997. On January 8, 1997, Biggie Smalls, Sean "Puffy" Combs made a video "What's Beef" which was directed by Dave Meyers. On March 8, 1997, he presented an award to Toni Braxton at the 11th Annual Soul Train Music Awards in Los Angeles and was booed by some of the audience. After the ceremony, Wallace attended an after party hosted by Vibe magazine and Qwest Records at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. Other guests included Faith Evans, Aaliyah, Sean Combs and members of the Bloods and Crips gangs.

On March 9, 1997, at around 12:30 a.m., Wallace left with his entourage in two GMC Suburbans to return to his hotel after the Fire Department closed the party early due to overcrowding. Wallace traveled in the front passenger seat alongside his associates, Damion "D-Roc" Butler, Junior M.A.F.I.A. member Lil' Cease and driver, Gregory "G-Money" Young. Combs traveled in the other vehicle with three bodyguards. The two trucks were trailed by a Chevrolet Blazer carrying Bad Boy's director of security.

By 12:45 a.m. the streets were crowded with people leaving the event. Wallace's truck stopped at a red light from the museum. A black Chevy Impala pulled up alongside Wallace's truck. The driver of the Impala, an African American male dressed in a blue suit and bow tie, rolled down his window, drew a 9 mm blue-steel pistol and fired at the GMC Suburban; four bullets hit Wallace in the chest. Wallace's entourage rushed him to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, but he was pronounced dead at 1:15 a.m.

Murder case

Wallace's murder remains unsolved and there are many theories regarding the identities and motives of the murderers.

The The Los Angeles Times reported that the Southside Compton Crips may have killed Wallace in retaliation for Bad Boy not paying them money owed for security services provided in the West Coast. MTV News, March 21, 1997. Retrieved on 2006-12-22 In the same month, MTV News published that witnesses had told the Associated Press they were afraid to speak to law enforcement. MTV News, March 11, 1997. Retrieved on 2006-12-23

In 2002, Randall Sullivan released LAbyrinth, a book compiling information regarding the murders of Wallace and Shakur based on evidence provided by retired LAPD detective, Russell Poole. Sullivan accused Marion "Suge" Knight, co-founder of Death Row Records and an alleged Bloods affiliate, of conspiring with David Mack, an LAPD officer and alleged Death Row security employee, to kill Wallace and make Shakur and his death appear the result of a fictitious bi-coastal rap rivalry. Sullivan believed that one of Mack's associates, Amir Muhammad (also known as Harry Billups), was the hitman based on evidence provided by an informant, and due to his close resemblance to the facial composite.Serpick, Evan Entertainment Weekly, 2002-04-12. Retrieved on 2007-01-02 Filmmaker Nick Broomfield released an investigative documentary, Biggie & Tupac, based mainly on the evidence used in the book.Fuchs, Cynthia "" PopMatters, September 6, 2002. Retrieved on 2007-01-02.

An article published in Rolling Stone by Sullivan in December 2005 accused the LAPD of not fully investigating links with Death Row Records based on evidence from Poole. Sullivan claimed that Sean Combs "failed to fully cooperate with the investigation" and according to Poole, encouraged Bad Boy staff to do the same. The accuracy of the article was later refuted in a letter by the Assistant Managing Editor of the LA Times accusing Sullivan of using "shoddy tactics". Sullivan, in response, quoted the lead attorney of the Wallace estate calling the newspaper "a co-conspirator in the cover-up".Duvoisin, Marc and Sullivan, Randall Rolling Stone, January 12, 2006. Retrieved on 2007-02-05.

Lawsuits

In March 2005, the relatives of Wallace filed a wrongful death claim against the LAPD based on the evidence championed by Russell Poole.Philips, Chuck Los Angeles Times, February 7, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-04-14 They claimed the LAPD had sufficient evidence to arrest the assailant, but failed to use it. David Mack and Amir Muhammad (a.k.a. Harry Billups) were originally named as defendants in the civil suit, but were dropped shortly before the trial began after the LAPD and FBI dismissed them as suspects. In July 2005, the case was declared a mistrial after the judge showed concern that the police were withholding evidence.Reid, Shaheem MTV News, July 5, 2005. Retrieved on 2007-02-14 An attempt to expand the wrongful death lawsuit to include new claims failed in August 2006. The criminal investigation was re-opened in July 2006.

On January 19, 2007, Tyruss Himes (better known as Big Syke), a former friend of Shakur who was implicated in the murder by television channel KTTV and XXL magazine in 2005, had a defamation lawsuit regarding the accusations thrown out of court.

On April 16, 2007, relatives of Wallace filed a second wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles. The suit also named two LAPD officers in the center of the LAPD Rampart Division corruption probe, Rafael Perez and Nino Durden. According to the claim, Perez, an alleged affiliate of Death Row Records, admitted to LAPD officials that he and Mack (who was not named in the lawsuit) "conspired to murder, and participated in the murder of Christopher Wallace". The Wallace family said the LAPD "consciously concealed Rafael Perez's involvement in the murder of ... Wallace". A U.S. district judge dismissed the lawsuit on December 19, 2007. Los Angeles Judge Florence-Marie Cooper reinstated the lawsuit on May 9, 2008.

Posthumous career

Fifteen days after his death, Wallace's double-disc second album was released as planned with the shortened title of Life After Death and hit #1 on the Billboard 200 charts, after making a premature appearance at #176 due to street-date violations. The record album featured a much wider range of guests and producers than its predecessor.Birchmeier, Jason Allmusic. Retrieved on 2007-01-08 It gained strong reviews and in 2000 was certified Diamond, the highest RIAA certification awarded to a solo hip hop album.

Its lead single, "Hypnotize", was the last music video recording in which Wallace would participate. His biggest chart success was with its follow-up "Mo Money Mo Problems", featuring Sean Combs (under the rap alias "Puff Daddy") and Mase. The video, directed by Hype Williams, is noted for having started the "Shiny Suit" era in hip hop music.Juon, Steve 'Flash' (March 9, 2004) Rap Reviews. Retrieved on 2007-02-05 Both singles reached #1 in the Hot 100, making Wallace the first artist to achieve this feat posthumously. The third single, "Sky's The Limit", featuring the band 112, was noted for its use of children in the music video, directed by Spike Jonze, who were used to portray Wallace and his contemporaries, including Sean Combs, Lil' Kim, and Busta Rhymes. Wallace was named Artist of the Year and "Hypnotize" Single of the Year by Spin magazine in December 1997. Rolling Stone, December 7, 1997. Retrieved on 2006-12-26

In mid-1997, Combs released his debut album, No Way Out, which featured Wallace on five songs, notably on the third single "Victory". The most prominent single from the record album was "I'll Be Missing You", featuring Combs, Faith Evans and 112, which was dedicated to Wallace's memory. At the 1998 Grammy Awards, Life After Death and its first two singles received nominations in the rap category. The album award was won by Combs' No Way Out and "I'll Be Missing You" won the award in the category of "Mo Money Mo Problems". CNN. Retrieved on 2007-01-27

In December 1999, Bad Boy released Born Again. The record consisted of previously unreleased material mixed with guest appearances including many artists Wallace had never collaborated with in his lifetime. It gained some positive reviews but received criticism for its unlikely pairings; The Source describing it as "compiling some of the most awkward collaborations of his career". Tower Records (Muze data). Retrieved on 2006-12-10 Nevertheless, the album sold 3 million copies. Over the course of time, Wallace's vocals would appear on hit songs such as "Foolish" by Ashanti and "Realest Niggas" in 2002, and the song "Runnin' (Dying to Live)" with Shakur the following year. He also appeared on Michael Jackson's 2001 album, Invincible. In 2005, Duets: The Final Chapter continued the pattern started on Born Again and was criticized for the lack of significant vocals by Wallace on some of its songs. Rolling Stone, January 12, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-12-10 Allmusic. Retrieved on 2006-12-10. Its lead single "Nasty Girl" became Wallace's first UK #1 single. Combs and Voletta Wallace have stated the album will be the last release primarily featuring new material.Egere-Cooper, Matilda The Independent, January 26, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-12-26

Legacy

Wallace is celebrated as one of the greatest rap artists and is described by Allmusic as "the savior of East Coast hip-hop". The Source and Blender named Wallace the greatest rapper of all time. BBC. Retrieved on 2007-01-27 In 2003, when XXL magazine asked several hip hop artists to list their five favorite MCs, Wallace's name appeared on more rappers' lists than anyone else. In 2006, he was ranked at #3 in MTV's The Greatest MC's of All Time.

Since his death, Wallace's lyrics have been sampled and quoted by a variety of hip hop, R&B and pop artists including Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Alicia Keys, Fat Joe, Nelly, Ja Rule, Eminem, Lil Wayne, and Usher. On August 28, 2005, at the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards, Sean Combs (then using the rap alias "P. Diddy") and Snoop Dogg paid tribute to Wallace: an orchestra played while the vocals from "Juicy" and "Warning" played on the arena speakers.Moss, Corey MTV News, 2005-08-25. Retrieved on 2007-02-17 In September 2005, VH1 had its second annual "Hip Hop Honors", with a tribute to Wallace headlining the show. Associated Press, June 25, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-02-17

Before his death, Wallace founded a hip hop supergroup called The Commission, which consisted of Jay-Z, Lil' Cease, Combs, Charli Baltimore and himself. The Commission was mentioned by Wallace in the lyrics of "What's Beef" on Life After Death and "Victory" from No Way Out but never completed an album. A song on Duets: The Final Chapter titled "Whatchu Want (The Commission)" featuring Jay-Z was based on the group.

Wallace had begun to promote a clothing line called Brooklyn Mint, which was to produce plus-sized clothing but fell dormant after he died. In 2004, his managers, Mark Pitts and Wayne Barrow, launched the clothing line, with help from Jay-Z, selling T-shirts with images of Wallace on them. A portion of the proceeds go to the Christopher Wallace Foundation and to Jay-Z's Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation. In 2005, Voletta Wallace hired branding and licensing agency Wicked Cow Entertainment to guide the Estate's licensing efforts. Wallace-branded products on the market include action figures, blankets, and cell phone content.

The Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation holds an annual black-tie dinner ("B.I.G. Night Out") to raise funds for children's school equipment and supplies and to honor the memory of the late rapper. For this particular event, because it is a children's schools' charity, "B.I.G." is also said to stand for "Books Instead of Guns".

Style

Wallace mostly rapped on his songs in a deep tone described by Rolling Stone as a "thick, jaunty grumble", Rolling Stone, December 7, 1997. Retrieved on 2007-01-07 which went deeper on Life After Death. He was often accompanied on songs with ad libs from Sean "Puffy" Combs. On The Source's Unsigned Hype, they described his style as "cool, nasal, and filtered, to bless his own material".

Allmusic describe Wallace as having "a loose, easy flow" with "a talent for piling multiple rhymes on top of one another in quick succession". Time magazine wrote Wallace rapped with an ability to "make multi-syllabic rhymes sound... smooth", while Krims describes Wallace's rhythmic style as "effusive". Before starting a verse, Wallace sometimes used onomatopoeic vocables to "warm up" (for example "uhhh" at the beginning of "Hypnotize" and "Big Poppa" and "whaat" after certain rhymes in songs such as "My Downfall").

Lateef of Latyrx notes that Wallace had, “intense and complex flows”Edwards, Paul, 2009, How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC, Chicago Review Press, p. 100., Fredro Starr of Onyx says, “Biggie was a master of the flow”Edwards, Paul, 2009, How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC, Chicago Review Press, p. 112., and Bishop Lamont states that Wallace mastered “all the hemispheres of the music”Edwards, Paul, 2009, How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC, Chicago Review Press, p. x. in the book How to Rap, which also states that, “Notorious B.I.G. also often used the single-line rhyme scheme to add variety and interest to his flow”Edwards, Paul, 2009, How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC, Chicago Review Press, p. 100.. Big Daddy Kane suggests that Wallace didn’t need a large vocabulary to impress listeners – “he just put his words together a slick way and it worked real good for him”Edwards, Paul, 2009, How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC, Chicago Review Press, p. 53.. Wallace was also known to compose lyrics in his head, rather than write them down on paper, in a similar way to Jay-ZEdwards, Paul, 2009, How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC, Chicago Review Press, p. 144. Andrea Duncan (March 9, 2006). XXL. Accessed March 18, 2008..

Wallace would occasionally vary from his usual style. On "Playa Hater" from his second album, he sang in a slow-falsetto.Christgau, Robert Consumer Guide Reviews. Retrieved on 2007-01-07 On his collaboration with Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, "Notorious Thugs", he modified his style to match the rapid rhyme flow of the group.

Themes and lyrical content

Wallace's lyrical topics and themes included mafioso tales ("Niggas Bleed"), his drug dealing past ("10 Crack Commandments"), materialistic bragging ("Hypnotize"), as well as humor ("Just Playing (Dreams)"), MTV. Retrieved on 2006-12-26 and romance ("Me & My Bitch"). Rolling Stone named Wallace in 2004 as "one of the few young male songwriters in any pop style writing credible love songs".

Guerilla Black, in the book How to Rap, describes how Wallace was able to both “glorify the upper echelon”Edwards, Paul, 2009, How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC, Chicago Review Press, p. 14. and “ you feel his struggle”Edwards, Paul, 2009, How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC, Chicago Review Press, p. 44.. According to Touré of the New York Times in 1994, Wallace's lyrics " autobiographical details about crime and violence with emotional honesty". Marriott of the New York Times (in 1997) believed his lyrics were not strictly autobiographical and wrote he "had a knack for exaggeration that increased sales". Wallace described his debut as "a big pie, with each slice indicating a different point in my life involving bitches and niggaz... from the beginning to the end".

Ready to Die is described by Rolling Stone as a contrast of "bleak" street visions and being "full of high-spirited fun, bringing the pleasure principle back to hip-hop". Rolling Stone. Retrieved on 2006-12-26 Allmusic write of "a sense of doom" in some of his songs and the NY Times note some being "laced with paranoia"; Wallace described himself as feeling "broke and depressed" when he made his debut.Pareles, Jon The New York Times, March 10, 1997. Retrieved on 2008-03-26 The final song on the album, "Suicidal Thoughts", featured Wallace contemplating suicide and concluded with him committing the act.

On Life After Death, Wallace's lyrics went "deeper". Krims explains how upbeat, dance-oriented tracks (which featured less heavily on his debut) alternate with "reality rap" songs on the record and suggests that he was "going pimp" through some of the lyrical topics of the former. XXL magazine wrote that Wallace "revamped his image" through the portrayal of himself between the albums, going from "midlevel hustler" on his debut to "drug lord".Ex, Kris "". XXL magazine, November 6, 2006. Retrieved on 2007-02-10

Allmusic wrote that the success of Ready to Die is "mostly due to Wallace's skill as a storyteller"; In 1994, Rolling Stone described Wallace's ability in this technique as painting "a sonic picture so vibrant that you're transported right to the scene". Tower Records (Muze data). Retrieved on 2006-12-10 On Life After Death Wallace notably demonstrated this skill on "I Got a Story to Tell" telling a story as a rap for the first half of the song and then as a story "for his boys" in conversation form.

Biopic

Notorious is a 2009 biographical film about Wallace and his life that starred rapper Jamal "Gravy" Woolard as Wallace. The film was directed by George Tillman, Jr. and distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures. Producers included Sean "Diddy" Combs, Wallace's former managers Wayne Barrow and Mark Pitts, as well as Voletta Wallace. XXL (August 13, 2007). Accessed November 28, 2007. On Jan. 16, 2009, the movie's debut at the Grand 18 theater in Greensboro, North Carolina was postponed after a man was shot in the parking lot before the show. Greensboro News & Record (January 17, 2009). Accessed October 13, 2009. Ultimately, the film grossed over $43,000,000 worldwide.

In early October 2007 open casting calls for the role of Wallace began.Melena Ryzik (October 8, 2007) The New York Times. Accessed November 28, 2007. Actors, rappers and unknowns all tried out. Beanie Sigel auditioned XXL (October 3, 2007). Accessed November 28, 2007 for the role, but was not picked. Sean Kingston claimed that he would play the role of Wallace, but producers denied he would be in the film. Vibe (August 30, 2007). Accessed November 28, 2007 Eventually it was announced that rapper Jamal "Gravy" Woolard was cast as Wallace XXL (March 6, 2008). Accessed March 6, 2008. while Wallace's son, Chris Jr. ("CJ"), was cast to play Wallace as a child.http "Notorious B.I.G's son rings the opening Bell," Accessed April 8, 2010. Other cast members include Angela Bassett as Voletta Wallace, Derek Luke as Sean Combs, Antonique Smith as Faith Evans, Naturi Naughton formerly of 3LW as Lil' Kim, and Anthony Mackie as Tupac Shakur. Joblo.com (March 6, 2008). Accessed March 6, 2008 Bad Boy released a soundtrack album to the film on January 13, 2009; the album contains hit singles of B.I.G. such as "Hypnotize", "Juicy", and "Warning" as well as rarities.

Discography

Studio albums

* 1994: Ready to Die

* 1997: Life After Death

Posthumous albums

* 1999: Born Again

* 2005: Duets: The Final Chapter

Collaboration albums

* 1995: Conspiracy (with Junior M.A.F.I.A.)

Compilation albums

* 2007: Greatest Hits

* 2009: Notorious: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Awards and nominations

Wallace received two nominations from the Billboard Music Awards in 1995, including Rap Artist of the Year and Rap Single of the Year. The song "Mo Money Mo Problems" received several nominations in 1998, including Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the Grammy Awards; Best Rap Video at the MTV Video Music Awards; and Best R&B/Soul Album and Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video at the Soul Train Music Awards. Overall, Wallace has received four awards from eleven nominations; one award and six nominations were received posthumously.

Billboard Music Awards

The Billboard Music Awards is sponsored by Billboard magazine and held annually in December.

References

Further reading

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