The Notorious B.I.G. (also known as Biggie Smalls or Biggie) was an American rapper from Brooklyn, New York, widely regarded as one of the greatest MCs in hip‑hop history. Born Christopher George Latore Wallace on May 21, 1972, he became a central figure in 1990s East Coast gangsta rap and helped revive New York’s hip‑hop scene.

Who he was

The Notorious B.I.G. grew up in Brooklyn’s Bedford‑Stuyvesant neighborhood and began rapping in his teens, gaining attention through demo tapes and local performances. He was signed by Sean “Puffy” Combs to Bad Boy Records, quickly becoming the label’s flagship artist.

Major albums and songs

Biggie’s debut album, “Ready to Die” (1994), went multi‑platinum and featured key singles such as “Juicy,” “Big Poppa,” and “One More Chance.” His second album, “Life After Death,” was released posthumously in 1997, achieved diamond certification, and produced major hits like “Hypnotize” and “Mo Money Mo Problems.”

Notorious B.I.G. essentials

Item| Details
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Birth name| Christopher George Latore Wallace.3
Stage names| The Notorious B.I.G., Biggie Smalls, Biggie.3
From| Brooklyn, New York City.37
Key albums| “Ready to Die” (1994), “Life After Death” (1997).18
Signature songs| “Juicy,” “Big Poppa,” “Hypnotize,” “Mo Money Mo Problems.”18

Death and legacy

Wallace was killed in a drive‑by shooting in Los Angeles on March 9, 1997, at the age of 24, and his murder remains officially unsolved. Despite his short career, his storytelling, flow, and influence on later artists have made him a lasting icon of hip‑hop.