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.
Hypnotized
The Notorious B.I.G. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hah, sicka than your average Poppa
Twist cabbage off instinct niggaz, don't think shit stink
Pink gators, my Detroit players
Timbs for my hooligans in Brooklyn
Dead right, if the head right, Biggie there every night
Never lose, never choose to, bruise crews who
Do something to us, talk go through us
Girls walk to us, wanna do us, screw us
Who us? Yeah, Poppa and Puff
(Ehehehe)
Close like Starsky and Hutch, stick the clutch
Dare I squeeze three at your cherry M-3
(Take that, take that, take that, haha)
Bang every MC easily, busily
Recently niggaz frontin' ain't sayin' nuttin'
(Nope)
So I just speak my piece, keep my piece
(C'mon)
Cubans with the Jesus piece with my peeps
(Thank you God)
Packin', askin' who want it, you got it nigga flaunt it
That Brooklyn bullshit, we on it
Biggie, Biggie, Biggie, can't you see?
Sometimes your words just hypnotize me
And I just love your flashy ways
Guess that's why they broke and you're so paid
(Uh)
Biggie, Biggie, Biggie, can't you see?
(Uh-huh, uh)
Sometimes your words just hypnotize me
(Hypnotize)
And I just love your flashy ways
(Uh-huh)
Guess that's why they broke and you're so paid
(Hah)
I put hoes in N.Y. onto DKNY
(Uh-huh)
Miami, D.C. prefer Versace
(That's right)
All Philly hoes, dough and Moschino
(C'mon)
Every cutie wit a booty bought a Coogi
(Hah)
Now who's the real dookie, meanin' who's really the shit
Them niggaz ride dicks, Frank White push the sticks
On the Lexus, LX, four and a half
Bulletproof glass tints if I want some ass
Gon' blast squeeze first ask questions last
That's how most of these so-called gangsters pass
At last, a nigga rappin' 'bout blunts and broads
Tits and bras, menage-a-tois, sex in expensive cars
I still leave you on the pavement, condo paid for, no car payment
At my arraignment, note for the plaintiff
Your daughter's tied up in a Brooklyn basement
(Shh)
Face it, not guilty, that's how I stay filthy
(Not guilty)
Richer than Richie, till you niggaz come and get me
Biggie, Biggie, Biggie, can't you see?
Sometimes your words just hypnotize me
And I just love your flashy ways
Guess that's why they broke and you're so paid
(Uh)
Biggie, Biggie, Biggie, can't you see?
(Uh-huh, uh)
Sometimes your words just hypnotize me
(Hypnotize)
And I just love your flashy ways
(Uh-huh)
Guess that's why they broke and you're so paid
(Uh)
I can fill ya wit real millionaire shit
(I can fill ya)
Escargot, my car go, one sixty, swiftly
Wreck it buy a new one
Your crew run run run, your crew run run
I know you sick of this, name brand nigga wit
Flows girls say, he's sweet like licorice
So get with this nigga, it's easy
Girlfriend here's a pen, call me round ten
Come through, have sex on rugs that's Persian
(That's right)
Come up to your job, hit you while you workin'
(Uhh)
For certain, Poppa freakin', not speakin'
Leave that ass leakin' like rapper demo
Tell them hoe, take they clothes off slowly
Hit 'em wit the force like Obe, dick black like Toby
(Obe, Toby)
Watch me roam like Gobe, lucky they don't owe me
Where the safe show me, homey
(Say what, homey?)
Biggie, Biggie, Biggie, can't you see?
Sometimes your words just hypnotize me
And I just love your flashy ways
Guess that's why they broke and you're so paid
(Uh)
Biggie, Biggie, Biggie, can't you see?
(Uh-huh, uh)
Sometimes your words just hypnotize me
(Hypnotize)
And I just love your flashy ways
(Uh-huh)
Guess that's why they broke and you're so paid
(Uh)
Biggie, Biggie, Biggie, can't you see?
Sometimes your words just hypnotize me
And I just love your flashy ways
Guess that's why they broke and you're so paid
(Uh)
Biggie, Biggie, Biggie, can't you see?
(Uh-huh, uh)
Sometimes your words just hypnotize me
(Hypnotize)
And I just love your flashy ways
(Uh-huh)
Guess that's why they broke and you're so paid
(Uh)
Biggie, Biggie, Biggie, can't you see?
Sometimes your words just hypnotize me
And I just love your flashy ways
Guess that's why they broke and you're so paid
The Notorious B.I.G.'s song "Hypnotized" is a classic hip-hop hit that captures Biggie's unique flow and style. The song's lyrics are a potent mix of braggadocio and clever wordplay, all delivered over a hypnotic and memorable beat. The song begins with Biggie proclaiming that he's "sicker than your average Poppa," and then proceeds to drop a series of clever rhymes and witty one-liners.
Throughout the song, Biggie shines a light on his flashy lifestyle, boasting about his taste in clothing and cars, as well as his prowess with women. He also lets listeners know that he's not to be trifled with, warning that he'll "squeeze three" if need be. Despite the song's tough exterior, there's also a sense of playfulness and humor, with several tongue-in-cheek references and witty asides.
Ultimately, "Hypnotized" is a testament to Biggie's talents as a rapper and storyteller. The song's mix of potent lyrics and memorable beats helped make it an instant classic, and it remains a favorite of hip-hop fans to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
Uhhh, uhhh, uh, c'mon
Introductory ad-libs to the song
Hah, sicka than your average Poppa
I'm better and more skilled than other rappers
Twist cabbage off instinct niggaz, don't think shit stink
I freestyle with ease and don't care what others think
Pink gators, my Detroit players
I wear pink alligator shoes and have connections with gangsters from Detroit
Timbs for my hooligans in Brooklyn
I wear Timberland boots for my tough friends from Brooklyn
Dead right, if the head right, Biggie there every night
I'll be there for my female partner if she pleases me in bed
Poppa been smooth since days of Underroos
I've been smooth since I was a child and wore Underroos underwear
Never lose, never choose to, bruise crews who
I never lose, and I'll hurt any group of rappers who tries to compete with me
Do something to us, talk go through us
Your words don't affect us and won't change anything
Girls walk to us, wanna do us, screw us
Women are attracted to us and want to have sex with us
Who us? Yeah, Poppa and Puff
Who's in charge? It's me and my friend Puff Daddy
(Ehehehe)
Silly laugh in the background
Close like Starsky and Hutch, stick the clutch
We're close friends and partners, and we're always ready for action
Dare I squeeze three at your cherry M-3
I'm not afraid to shoot my gun at your fancy car
(Take that, take that, take that, haha)
Repeated catchphrase and laugh
Bang every MC easily, busily
I can easily defeat any other rapper in a battle
Recently niggaz frontin' ain't sayin' nuttin'
Lately, other rappers are pretending to be tough but aren't actually saying anything of value
(Nope)
Short interjection
So I just speak my piece, keep my piece
I'll just speak my mind and keep my gun with me
(C'mon)
Encouragement for the listener to keep going
Cubans with the Jesus piece with my peeps
I wear a gold chain with a religious cross pendant with my friends
(Thank you God)
Expression of gratitude to God
Packin', askin' who want it, you got it nigga flaunt it
I have a gun and I'm ready for anyone who wants to challenge me
That Brooklyn bullshit, we on it
We're focused on our life in Brooklyn and don't care about anything else
Biggie, Biggie, Biggie, can't you see?
People are calling my name and want my attention
Sometimes your words just hypnotize me
The way I speak and rap has a hypnotic effect on people
And I just love your flashy ways
I love the way I live my life and show off my wealth and success
Guess that's why they broke and you're so paid
Other people are jealous and broke, while I'm rich and successful
(Uh)
Short interjection
(Uh-huh, uh)
Agreement and emphasis
(Hypnotize)
Song title repeated
(Uh-huh)
Agreement and emphasis
(Hah)
Short laugh
I put hoes in N.Y. onto DKNY
I introduced women in New York to a designer clothing brand
Miami, D.C. prefer Versace
In Miami and D.C., people prefer to wear Versace clothing
(That's right)
Agreement and emphasis
All Philly hoes, dough and Moschino
Women in Philadelphia wear Moschino clothing and love money
Every cutie wit a booty bought a Coogi
Every woman with a nice butt bought a Coogi sweater
Now who's the real dookie, meanin' who's really the shit
Who's the best in the game? Who's really talented and successful?
Them niggaz ride dicks, Frank White push the sticks
My competitors are fake and only follow what's popular, while I lead the way like a captain
On the Lexus, LX, four and a half
I own a Lexus LX with a big engine (four and a half liters)
Bulletproof glass tints if I want some ass
My car has bulletproof windows, in case someone tries to shoot at me
Gon' blast squeeze first ask questions last
I'm willing to shoot first and ask questions later
That's how most of these so-called gangsters pass
This is how many fake gangsters die
At last, a nigga rappin' 'bout blunts and broads
Finally, I'm rapping about drugs and women
Tits and bras, menage-a-tois, sex in expensive cars
I'm talking about sex with multiple partners, in fancy cars
I still leave you on the pavement, condo paid for, no car payment
I'll beat you so badly that you'll be lying on the ground, while I own a nice apartment without a car payment
At my arraignment, note for the plaintiff
At my legal hearing, I'll send a message to my accuser
Your daughter's tied up in a Brooklyn basement
I've kidnapped your daughter and am keeping her hostage in Brooklyn
(Shh)
Quiet sound, implying secret information
Face it, not guilty, that's how I stay filthy
Admit it, I'm not guilty, and that's why I stay wealthy
(Not guilty)
Reiterating that he's not guilty
Richer than Richie, till you niggaz come and get me
I'm richer than a famous wealthy person, until my enemies find me
I can fill ya wit real millionaire shit
I can tell you about real-life wealth and success
(I can fill ya)
I can provide you with information
Escargot, my car go, one sixty, swiftly
I eat fancy French food and drive my car at 160 miles per hour
Wreck it buy a new one
If I crash my car, I'll just buy a new one
Your crew run run run, your crew run run
Your friends are scared and running away from me
I know you sick of this, name brand nigga wit
You're jealous of me, a famous person who wears expensive clothes
Flows girls say, he's sweet like licorice
People like the way I rap, saying I'm smooth and charming
So get with this nigga, it's easy
It's simple and easy to like me and my music
Girlfriend here's a pen, call me round ten
Here's my phone number, call me later tonight
Come through, have sex on rugs that's Persian
Come to my house, where we'll have sex on expensive Persian rugs
Come up to your job, hit you while you workin'
I'll come to your workplace and attack you while you're working
(Uhh)
Interjection of satisfaction
For certain, Poppa freakin', not speakin'
Definitely, I'm acting crazy and not saying anything
Leave that ass leakin' like rapper demo
I'll hurt you badly, making you cry and suffer like a bad demo recording
Tell them hoe, take they clothes off slowly
Tell the girl to take off her clothes slowly and seductively
Hit 'em wit the force like Obe, dick black like Toby
I'll have sex with her with a lot of power, like a Star Wars character, and have a large black penis like the actor Toby Maguire
(Obe, Toby)
Nicknames for sexual prowess
Watch me roam like Gobe, lucky they don't owe me
Watch me travel and wander around like an explorer, and be glad you don't owe me money
Where the safe show me, homey
Show me where the money is kept, friend
(Say what, homey?)
Asking for clarification
Contributed by Sarah A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@NotoriousBIG
Join The Christopher Wallace Estate and Bad Boy / Atlantic / Rhino Records in celebrating 25 years of Life After Death and 50 Years of Christopher Wallace. The Super Deluxe 8-LP Box Set of The Notorious B.I.G.'s opus Life After Death will be available worldwide on June 10, 2022. Learn more about what’s in the release and pre-order yours now at https://Big.lnk.to/LADSDlx
Stream or download Biggie's Essentials https://big.lnk.to/BIG
@LilRalph
🖤🔥🎶
@janbode2619
💯
@Gimme2Dummy
🔥🔥🔥🔥
@1295shawnlewis
https://youtu.be/2yS7_1j0jAE
@jakestrons9484
I love u biggie so much
@mogo123
Anyone from 2024???
@mrinalboro172
Yeah man
@marcogarcia8336
Got the double CD
@user-mm9ct8rk4p
Yes sir!