Wallace was born and raised in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. His debut album Ready to Die (1994) made him a central figure in East Coast hip hop and increased New York City's visibility in the genre at a time when West Coast hip hop dominated the mainstream. The following year, he led Junior M.A.F.I.A.—a protégé group composed of his childhood friends—to chart success. In 1996, while recording his second album, Wallace was heavily involved in the growing East Coast–West Coast hip hop feud. On March 9, 1997, he was murdered by an unknown assailant in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles. His second album, Life After Death (1997), released two weeks later, rose to No. 1 on the U.S. album charts. In 2000, it became one of the few hip-hop albums to be certified Diamond.
Wallace was noted for his "loose, easy flow"; dark, semi-autobiographical lyrics; and storytelling abilities, which focused on crime and hardship. Three more albums have been released since his death, and he has certified sales of over 17 million records in the United States, including 13.4 million albums.
Wallace was born at St. Mary's Hospital in the Brooklyn borough of New York City on May 21, 1972, the only child of Jamaican immigrant parents. His mother, Voletta Wallace, was a preschool teacher, while his father, Selwyn George Latore, was a welder and politician. His father left the family when Wallace was two years old, and his mother worked two jobs while raising him. Wallace grew up at 226 St. James Place in Brooklyn's Clinton Hill, near the border with Bedford-Stuyvesant. Wallace excelled at Queen of All Saints Middle School winning several awards as an English student. He was nicknamed "Big" because he was overweight by the age of 10. Wallace said he started dealing drugs when he was around the age of 12. His mother, often away at work, did not know of his drug dealing until he was an adult. He began rapping as a teenager, entertaining people on the streets, and performed with local groups the Old Gold Brothers and the Techniques. At his request, Wallace transferred from Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School to George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School, where future rappers DMX, Jay-Z, and Busta Rhymes were also attending. According to his mother, Wallace was still a good student but developed a "smart-ass" attitude at the new school. At age 17, Wallace dropped out of school and became more 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 in jail before making bail.
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)"), 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" and "[make] you feel his struggle". 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". 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. 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".
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". On Life After Death, Wallace notably demonstrated this skill on "I Got a Story to Tell", creating a story as a rap for the first half of the song and then retelling the same story "for his boys" in conversation form.
Considered one of the best rappers of all time, Wallace was described by AllMusic as "the savior of East Coast hip-hop". The Source magazine named Wallace the greatest rapper of all time in its 150th issue in 2002. 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, MTV ranked him at No. 3 on their list of The Greatest MCs of All Time, calling him possibly "the most skillful ever on the mic". Editors of About.com ranked him No. 3 on their list of the Top 50 MCs of Our Time (1987–2007). In 2012, The Source ranked him No. 3 on their list of the Top 50 Lyrical Leaders of all time. Rolling Stone has referred to him as the "greatest rapper that ever lived". In 2015, Billboard named Wallace as the greatest rapper 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, Game, Clinton Sparks, Michael Jackson 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. In September 2005, VH1 held its second annual "Hip Hop Honors", with a tribute to Wallace headlining the show.
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 to honor Wallace's memory. 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".
There is a large portrait mural of Wallace as Mao Zedong on Fulton Street in Brooklyn a half-mile west from Wallace's old block. A fan petitioned to have the corner of Fulton Street and St. James Place, near Wallace's childhood home renamed in his honor, garnering support from local businesses and attracting more than 560 signatures.
A large portrait of Wallace features prominently in the Netflix series Luke Cage, due to the fact that he served as muse for the creation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's version of Marvel Comics character Cornell "Cottonmouth" Stokes.
Battle
The Notorious B.I.G. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know these niggas never been a hunnid, they let that fame switch 'em
Did all that preachin' 'bout bein' solid, then you changed, nigga
I'm from that 1300 block, I'm still the same nigga
They know how I bleed, swear this shit up in my veins, nigga
I looked my brother in his eyes, I seen the pain in 'em
Boy, I won't play, I'll go to war about my gang members
Chopper showers, he gon' fall once that rain hit him
Addicted to this ecstasy, I like how it feel
It's like I been poppin' X ever since I tried a pill
Shit got me through some hard times, I lost my mind for real
Lot of shit happened way too fast, I ain't have time to heal
Ed was gon' make it on that court but he died in the field
I was still hangin' in the hood before I signed a deal
Posted on Hudson, jakes ridin' past, I had my nine concealed
Hot 'nem do no talking, they just spark shit when it's time to drill
Lil Stank so reckless, he ride fast when he behind the wheel
My shorties hot, keep bending blocks, they gon' slide with the steel
We lost some soldiers in that war so they been tryin' to kill
I be dolo with my ice on, I been tryin' to chill
I know these niggas never been a hunnid, they let that fame switch 'em
Did all that preachin' 'bout bein' solid, then you changed, nigga
I'm from that 1300 block, I'm still the same nigga
They know how I bleed, swear this shit up in my veins, nigga
I looked my brother in his eyes, I seen the pain in 'em
Boy, I won't play, I'll go to war about my gang members
I was in the trenches slidin' with them grave diggers
Chopper showers, he gon' fall once that rain hit him
Ain't no playin' both sides over here, please make your mind up and choose
Bitches cheerleadin' and then they sneak dissin', I think they sort of confused
Please stop runnin' your mouth, that's how brothers go missin' and niggas get put on the news
You goin' through it, you losin' it, huh? My shorties eager to tighten your screws
Them blickers go off like alarms, but you ain't wakin' up if you snooze
Niggas be clowns, puttin' on shows for the media, I don't be shit but amused
I won't forget 'bout that lil' shit you said, we gon' get you for frontin' your move
My shootas some hell-raisers, come through clappin' broad, they don't give a fuck 'bout the rules
I played the block, went on them drills by my lonely, I had the 4-0 up in school
Fightin' anxiety so I kept spendin' my last on all of the drugs I abuse
Down on my ass, they ain't give a fuck about me, I felt like I ain't have nothin' to lose
Now I'm in my bag, just tryna run up these millis 'cause I ain't got nothin' to prove
I know these niggas never been a hunnid, they let that fame switch 'em
Did all that preachin' 'bout bein' solid, then you changed, nigga
I'm from that 1300 block, I'm still the same nigga
They know how I bleed, swear this shit up in my veins, nigga
I looked my brother in his eyes, I seen the pain in 'em
Boy, I won't play, I'll go to war about my gang members
I was in the trenches slidin' with them grave diggers
Chopper showers, he gon' fall once that rain hit him
The lyrics to The Notorious B.I.G.'s song "Battle" delve into themes of loyalty, authenticity, and the harsh realities of street life. The song reflects on the rapper's experiences and emotions, highlighting the struggles and sacrifices he has faced in his life.
The opening lines suggest that fame has changed those around the artist, causing them to lose their authenticity and integrity. He emphasizes that he remains true to himself, referencing his upbringing in the 1300 block and proclaiming that he bleeds for his gang. This loyalty is further reinforced by his willingness to go to war for his gang members.
The second verse reveals a personal struggle with addiction, specifically to the drug ecstasy. The artist acknowledges that the drug has helped him cope with difficult times, but also acknowledges the toll it has taken on his mental health. He references the loss of a friend, Ed, who had dreams of making it in basketball but died tragically. Despite signing a record deal, the artist claims that he still hangs out in the neighborhood, remaining connected to his roots. The verse ends by mentioning the violence that surrounds him, with his associates being reckless behind the wheel and engaging in street warfare.
The final verse tackles the theme of loyalty again, criticizing those who try to play both sides and deceive others. The artist warns against running one's mouth because it can lead to dangerous consequences. He highlights the ruthlessness of his associates, mentioning their lack of regard for rules and their readiness to enact violence. The lyrics also touch upon the artist's struggles with anxiety, resorting to substance abuse to cope. However, he rises above adversity, feeling determined to prove himself and accumulate wealth.
Overall, "Battle" explores the artist's experiences in an unforgiving environment, reflecting on the changes and challenges he has encountered, while also asserting his loyalty and determination to remain true to himself and his gang.
Line by Line Meaning
I know these niggas never been a hunnid, they let that fame switch 'em
I am aware that these individuals have never been truly honest and loyal. The desire for fame has caused them to change.
Did all that preachin' 'bout bein' solid, then you changed, nigga
You used to advocate for loyalty and integrity, but now you have transformed and betrayed those principles.
I'm from that 1300 block, I'm still the same nigga
I originate from the neighborhood known as the 1300 block, and despite my experiences, I have remained true to who I am as a person.
They know how I bleed, swear this shit up in my veins, nigga
People are aware of the pain and struggles I have endured, as it runs deep within my very being.
I looked my brother in his eyes, I seen the pain in 'em
When I gazed into the eyes of my brother, I could clearly witness the anguish and suffering he carries.
Boy, I won't play, I'll go to war about my gang members
Listen closely, I am not one to engage in games. I am willing to engage in battle to protect and defend my fellow gang members.
I was in the trenches slidin' with them grave diggers
I have experienced the life of danger and violence alongside those who are accustomed to burying the fallen.
Chopper showers, he gon' fall once that rain hit him
When the bullets rain down upon him like a shower, he will inevitably meet his demise.
Addicted to this ecstasy, I like how it feel
I have developed a dependency on this state of euphoria, as I find pleasure in its sensations.
It's like I been poppin' X ever since I tried a pill
The continuous consumption of ecstasy has become an integral part of my life since the very first pill I ingested.
Shit got me through some hard times, I lost my mind for real
This substance has aided me in navigating difficult periods in my life, to the extent that I genuinely lost my sanity.
Lot of shit happened way too fast, I ain't have time to heal
Numerous events transpired at an alarmingly rapid pace, leaving me insufficient time to recover and find solace.
Ed was gon' make it on that court but he died in the field
Ed possessed the potential to excel in the basketball court, but unfortunately, he lost his life in the streets.
I was still hangin' in the hood before I signed a deal
Even prior to signing a lucrative contract, I remained present and active in my neighborhood.
Posted on Hudson, jakes ridin' past, I had my nine concealed
I stationed myself on Hudson Street, being cautious of the police patrolling nearby, concealing my 9mm firearm.
Hot 'nem do no talking, they just spark shit when it's time to drill
My trusted associates are not the type to engage in idle conversation; they only take action when it is time for a violent operation.
Lil Stank so reckless, he ride fast when he behind the wheel
Lil Stank possesses a reckless nature, demonstrating his audacity by speeding when he assumes control of the vehicle.
My shorties hot, keep bending blocks, they gon' slide with the steel
The young individuals under my command are highly volatile, continuously patrolling the streets, prepared to engage with firearms.
We lost some soldiers in that war so they been tryin' to kill
Our ranks have suffered significant losses during the ongoing conflict, resulting in our adversaries relentlessly seeking vengeance.
I be dolo with my ice on, I been tryin' to chill
I often find myself alone, adorned with expensive jewelry, attempting to find peace and tranquility.
Ain't no playin' both sides over here, please make your mind up and choose
There is no room for double-dealing in this environment. I implore you to definitively decide and choose a side.
Bitches cheerleadin' and then they sneak dissin', I think they sort of confused
Certain women may initially appear supportive and encouraging, but later engage in subtle insults, suggesting a level of confusion on their part.
Please stop runnin' your mouth, that's how brothers go missin' and niggas get put on the news
I strongly advise against incessantly talking and spreading rumors, as it often leads to the disappearance of close associates and individuals gaining notoriety through media coverage.
You goin' through it, you losin' it, huh? My shorties eager to tighten your screws
Are you experiencing hardship and struggling? Well, the young individuals under my command are eagerly awaiting an opportunity to add to your suffering.
Them blickers go off like alarms, but you ain't wakin' up if you snooze
Our firearms discharge with an intensity that resembles alarms, however, if you are not alert and responsive, rest assured that you will not survive.
Niggas be clowns, puttin' on shows for the media, I don't be shit but amused
Certain individuals act foolishly, engaging in theatrical performances solely for the sake of media attention. I, however, find their actions nothing more than entertaining.
I won't forget 'bout that lil' shit you said, we gon' get you for frontin' your move
I will not overlook the disrespectful comment you made. In fact, we will take action against you for falsely representing your intentions and actions.
My shootas some hell-raisers, come through clappin' broad, they don't give a fuck 'bout the rules
The individuals I have enlisted to carry out acts of violence are troublemakers, unafraid to unleash gunfire indiscriminately, showing complete disregard for societal norms and regulations.
I played the block, went on them drills by my lonely, I had the 4-0 up in school
I actively roamed the neighborhood, participated in dangerous missions by myself, and was armed with a .40 caliber handgun even during my school days.
Fightin' anxiety so I kept spendin' my last on all of the drugs I abuse
I constantly battled anxiety, resorting to spending my dwindling financial resources on the various drugs I compulsively consume.
Down on my ass, they ain't give a fuck about me, I felt like I ain't have nothin' to lose
During a period of extreme hardship, it seemed as though others lacked any concern or care for my well-being, ultimately leaving me with a sense of having nothing left to lose.
Now I'm in my bag, just tryna run up these millis 'cause I ain't got nothin' to prove
Currently, I am focused on amassing significant wealth and financial success, as I no longer feel the need to prove myself to others.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jahmere Tylon, Jordan T. Knight, Taurus Bartlett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jason N
whoever recorded this is the real hero
Sticky Green
His freestyle is even better than the most of rap today , like way better
Reg X
高高中和 not really, i mean like yeah for the mainstream but theres rappers lyrically better than biggie by a long shot
Sticky Green
I get what you saying, and yea thats true. But sometimes listening to guys like lii wayne's raps just make me feel bad. I am an person that enjoy the G funk a lot. But nowdays you do not see that quite often. <The hard way>,<I want it all> <life after death>these are kind of album that I dig. Just miss the good old time really, not many legends are still standing now.
Kfjcjcc Jfjcfjjf
Pixtol biggie and tupac are better than eminem
Jonas J
definately
gmasters2
Regan Alley correct, but lyrically he was superior to his rival tupac. Which is all that matters.
End3
1st tip: don't let biggie go first 2nd tip: don't let biggie go second
Midnight_.V
never let biggie go ever if you wanna win😂😂😂😂
TNTeddy
Matter a fact don’t let biggie go don’t even mess with him
Know what don’t breathe if you breath on him your career and family DONE