Christopher George Latore Wallace
- Born:
- May 21, 1972, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
- Died:
- March 9, 1997, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Rapper, Songwriter
Early Life and Education
- Raised in Brooklyn, New York.
- Attended Queen of All Saints Middle School and Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School.
- Dropped out of high school at age 17 to focus on music.
Career and Major Achievements
- Gained prominence in the early 1990s as a key figure in the East Coast hip hop scene.
- Signed to Sean Combs' Bad Boy Records.
- Known for his distinctive rapping style, including effortless flow and autobiographical lyrics.
- Achieved commercial success with his debut album Ready to Die (1994).
- Posthumously released album Life After Death (1997) reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
- Won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album posthumously for Life After Death in 1998.
Notable Works
Discography
| Title | Year | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Ready to Die | 1994 | Bad Boy |
| Life After Death | 1997 | Bad Boy |
| Born Again | 1999 | Bad Boy |
| Duets: The Final Chapter | 2005 | Bad Boy |
Filmography
| Title | Year | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Who's the Man? | 1993 | Himself |
| Rhyme & Reason | 1997 | Himself |
Legacy and Impact
Christopher Wallace, often known as The Notorious B.I.G., Biggie Smalls, or simply Biggie, is considered one of the greatest rappers of all time. The story of Christopher Wallace, as one important piece in the larger 'notorios big biography', highlights his impact on hip hop culture, influencing countless artists with his lyrical prowess and storytelling ability. His music continues to be celebrated and studied for its innovative use of language and its unflinching portrayal of life in Brooklyn. He had a lasting impact on the development and popularity of hip hop music.