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.
I Got a Story to Tell
The Notorious B.I.G. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uh
Check it out, check it out
This here goes out o all the niggas that be fucking mad bitches
In other niggas cribs
Thinkin' shit is sweet
Nigga creep up on your ass, haha
Live niggas respect it, check it
I kick flows for ya, kick down doors for ya
Even left all my motherfucking hoes for ya
Niggas think Frankie pussy whipped, nigga picture that
With a Kodak, Insta-ma-tak
We don't get down like that, lay my game down quite flat
Sweetness, where you parked at?
Petiteness but that ass fat
She got a body make a nigga wanna eat that, I'm fuckin' with you
The bitch official though, dick harder than a missile, yo
Try to hit it if she trippin' disappearing like Arsenio
Yo, the bitch push a double-oh
With the five in front, probably a conniving stunt
Y'all drive in front, I'm a peel with her
Find a deal with her, she fuck around and steal, huh?
Then we all get laced
Televisions, Versace heaven, when I'm up in them
The shit she kicked, all the shit's legit
She get dick from a player off the New York Knicks
Nigga tricked ridiculous, the shit was plush
She's stressing me to fuck, like she was in a rush
We fucked in his bed, quite dangerous
I'm in his ass while he playing against the Utah Jazz
My 112, CD blast, I was past
She came twice, I came last, roll the grass
She giggle, sayin', "I'm smoking on homegrown"
Then I heard her moan, "Honey I'm home"
Yup, tote chrome for situations like this
I'm up in his broad, I know he won't like this
Now I'm like, "Bitch, you better talk to him"
Before this fist put a spark to him
Fuck around shit get dark to him
Put a part through him
Lose a major part to him, arm, leg
She beggin' me to stop but this cat gettin' closer
Gettin hot like a toaster, I cocks the toast, uh
Before my eyes could blink, she screams out
"Honey bring me up somethin' to drink"
He go back downstairs more time to think
My brain racin', she's tellin' me to stay patient
She don't know I'm cool as a fan
Gat in hand, I don't wanna blast her man
But I can and I will though, I'm tryna chill though
Even though situation lookin' kinda ill, yo
It came to me like a song I wrote
Told the bitch, "Gimme your scarf, pillowcase and rope"
Got dressed quick, tied the scarf around my face
Roped the bitch up, gagged her mouth with the pillowcase
Play the cut, nigga coming off some love potion shit
Flash the heat on 'em, he stood emotionless
Dropped the glass screaming, "Don't blast here's the stash
A hundred cash just don't shoot my ass, please!"
Nigga pulling mad G's out the floor
Put stacks in a Prada knapsack, hit the door
Grab the keys to the five, call my niggas on the cell
"Bring some weed I got a story to tell" uh, uh
Yo man, y'all niggas ain't gon' believe what the fuck happened to me
Remember that bitch I left the club with, man?
Yeah
Yo, sticky, yo
I'm up in this bitch crib
This bitch fucking one of them ol' Knick ass niggas and shit
I'm up in the spot, so you know (who cuz?)
I don't know, I don't know which one?
One of them six-five niggas, I don't know
Yeah
Anyway I'm up in the motherfucking spot, so boom I'm up in the pussy, whatever whatever
I sparks up some lye, Pop Duke creeps up in on some
Get the fuck out
Must have been rained out or something
He comes up in the spot
Had me scared, had me scared to death, I was shook Daddy
But I forgot I had my Roscoe on me
Always, you know how we do
So boom the nigga comes up the stairs, he creeping up the steps
The bitch all shook she sends the nigga back downstairs to get some drinks and shit
Shit gettin' mad nervous, I said fuck that man (I know you was ready to clap him)
Man nigga, you know how we do it nigga
Ransom note style put the scarf around my motherfucking face
Gagged that bitch up, played the kizzack
Soon as this nigga comes up in the spot
Flash the Desert in his face, he drops the glass
Looked like the nigga pissed on himself or somethin', word to my mother
Motherfucker, this nigga runs dead to the floor, peels up the carpet
Start giving me mad paper (oh shit)
Mad paper
Yo, I told you that bitch was a shiesty bitch, cuz
Word to mother I used to fuck with her cousin but you ain't know that
Hahaha
You wouldn't know that shit
Really though
I put all that motherfucking money up in the Prada knapsack
And uh, two words, I'm gone
No doubt, no doubt
Yo nigga, you got some loud? Y'all got some loud?
No doubt
Yo, you got that dust, baby?
The other day was a good day for you, baby
The lyrics of The Notorious B.I.G.'s song I Got A Story To Tell recount the tale of the rapper's encounter with a woman who asked him to come to her house. During their intimate moment, her boyfriend, one of the New York Knicks, came home unexpectedly, and Biggie had to hide. While hiding, the boyfriend and the woman began to argue, and Biggie came out with a gun and threatened to shoot him, stealing cash and leaving.
The song is notable not only for its storytelling format, but for its raw and sensational content. It is rife with profanity, explicit descriptions of sexual activity, and violent imagery. However, it is noted for its ability to evoke a visceral response from the listener and paint a vivid picture of the events taking place. It also features a catchy and memorable beat that is now recognizable as a classic of the hip-hop genre.
Overall, the song is a testament to The Notorious B.I.G.'s skill as a storyteller and his ability to create vivid images through his lyrics. It is an iconic piece of hip-hop music that continues to be remembered and celebrated to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
Who y'all talking to man?
The artist begins by questioning the audience about their conversation topic, setting up the context for the song.
This here goes out o all the niggas that be fucking mad bitches
The artist is calling out men who disrespect women by sleeping with multiple partners and cheating on their significant others.
Nigga creep up on your ass, haha
The artist describes the act of sneaking up on someone, perhaps with malicious intent.
I kick flows for ya, kick down doors for ya
The artist is willing to go to great lengths for his friends, whether it be with his music or through physical action.
Even left all my motherfucking hoes for ya
The artist is admitting to putting his romantic interests aside for the sake of his friends, further emphasizing his loyalty to them.
Niggas think Frankie pussy whipped, nigga picture that
The artist is refuting the idea that he's controlled by women, as he's willing to leave them behind for his friends.
With a Kodak, Insta-ma-tak
The artist is referencing a photo-taking device to emphasize the immediacy of the situation he's describing.
We don't get down like that, lay my game down quite flat
The artist is stating that he's not someone who cheats or disrespects women to attain his goals.
Sweetness, where you parked at?
The artist is addressing a woman by calling her 'Sweetness,' inquiring about her whereabouts.
Petiteness but that ass fat
The artist is describing a woman's physical attributes, commenting on her small stature and large posterior.
She got a body make a nigga wanna eat that, I'm fuckin' with you
The artist is expressing his attraction to the woman in question while addressing her directly.
The bitch official though, dick harder than a missile, yo
The artist is emphasizing the physical appeal of the woman he's with, further commenting on his attraction to her.
Try to hit it if she trippin' disappearing like Arsenio
The artist is warning against trying to have sex with the woman he's with, alluding to the fact that he won't hesitate to harm anyone who tries.
Yo, the bitch push a double-oh
The artist is describing a car that his partner is driving, showcasing how expensive it is.
With the five in front, probably a conniving stunt
The artist is potentially referring to a fake license plate on the car that could indicate illicit activity.
Y'all drive in front, I'm a peel with her
The artist and his partner are traveling in two cars to avoid suspicion.
Find a deal with her, she fuck around and steal, huh?
The artist is questioning his partner's loyalty, insinuating that she could potentially steal from him.
Then we all get laced
The artist is threatening violence against anyone who disrespects him or his accomplices.
Televisions, Versace heaven, when I'm up in them
The artist is describing a luxurious lifestyle that he can attain while committing crimes.
She giggle, sayin', "I'm smoking on homegrown"
The artist's partner is making a comment about the quality of marijuana they're smoking.
Then I heard her moan, "Honey I'm home"
The artist's partner is describing an orgasm she's having while they're having sex in another person's home.
Yup, tote chrome for situations like this
The artist is carrying a gun, ready to use it in case of an emergency.
But I can and I will though, I'm tryna chill though
The artist is willing to use violence if necessary, but he prefers to avoid it if possible.
Even though situation lookin' kinda ill, yo
The artist is acknowledging that the current situation doesn't look good, despite his nonchalant attitude.
Lose a major part to him, arm, leg
The artist is describing the potential bodily harm he could inflict on someone if he were to use his gun.
Put a part through him
The artist is directly threatening violence against someone he perceives as a threat.
My brain racin', she's tellin' me to stay patient
The artist is describing the heightened anticipation and anxiety he's feeling while waiting for his accomplice to return with the drinks.
She don't know I'm cool as a fan
The artist's accomplice isn't aware of how calm and collected he's trying to appear, despite the tense situation.
Before my eyes could blink, she screams out
The artist's plan is suddenly interrupted by the woman's outburst, creating a chaotic moment in the song.
He go back downstairs more time to think
The artist is explaining the man's reaction to his wife's outburst, indicating that he's buying time to come up with a plan.
Soon as this nigga comes up in the spot, Flash the Desert in his face, he drops the glass
The artist is describing how he used his gun to intimidate the man, who then dropped a glass out of fear.
Shit gettin' mad nervous, I said fuck that man (I know you was ready to clap him)
The artist is admitting that he was willing to use violence, indicating his aggression in this situation.
Motherfucker, this nigga runs dead to the floor, peels up the carpet
The man is frantically attempting to get the cash he's hiding, further emphasizing the desperation of the situation.
Word to mother I used to fuck with her cousin but you ain't know that
The artist is divulging personal information about his partner during the chaotic scene, highlighting how tense the situation was.
I put all that motherfucking money up in the Prada knapsack
The artist is describing how he obtained the cash from the man, further showcasing the criminal activity that he's engaged in.
Yo nigga, you got some loud? Y'all got some loud?
At the end of the song, the artist returns to a more casual conversation with his friends, discussing drugs and their recent success in the robbery.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Anthony Best, Christopher Wallace, Sean Puffy Combs, Carl E. Thompson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@The1walaa
This that visionary flow, gotta explore, gotta soar,
If they don’t open doors, I’ll kick ‘em to the floor,
9 to 5 living, got me yearning for more,
From my waking day, I’ve been striving to score.
Gotta make changes, rearrange my fate,
Time’s ticking, don’t hesitate, can’t be late,
If you ain’t spreading love, then evacuate,
Something’s different in my mental state.
From paper to pencil, I pen my ascent,
I’m about to feast, no utensils, no rent,
Seen life’s highs and lows, a journey so eventful,
God’s grace, devil’s lust, it’s all influential.
Smoking on that green, trying to stay level,
Switching up, now I rise above the rebel,
No more chasing nuts, I’ve had enough,
Like JLo, I’m done with the club stuff.
Kicking and going, like karate aerobics,
Untold stories from this poetic diagnostics,
Hidden talents, I’m dope, no need to show it,
Focused on myself, no time for the theatrics.
(Verse)
Remy’s in the system, ain't no tellin' Will I fuck him? Will I diss him?", that's what these hoes yellin'
I’m a pimp by blood, not by relation,
While y’all chase ‘em, I’ll replace ‘em, it’s my foundation.
Drunk off Dom, silk and gators, I’m a trendsetter,
Spittin’ words, make a bird tell their flock, see you later,
Whether I’m drunk or high, it’s all the same sky,
Play against this playa, bullets gon’ fly, oh my.
Ain’t gon’ lie, she pimped out her SSI,
Don’t ask why, just respect it, that’s no lie,
She bought me the bling, the finer things,
Benz-o, she laced it, crib decorated, living like kings.
My popularity grew in each state, no debate,
Now I got two in each state, elevate,
From brews and steaks to poppin’ bottles with models,
Larger steaks on larger estates, no more petty battles.
@DJObiSmalls
If You Wanna See In-Depth Sample Breakdowns Of Biggie Songs, Check The Links Below:
Juicy (Feat. Total):
https://youtu.be/RnvtM21aMp4
Hypnotize (Feat. Pam Long):
https://youtu.be/gtwMgE0NOTc
Mo Money Mo Problems (Feat. Puff Daddy, Ma$e & Kelly Price):
https://youtu.be/nDrLUiTG-g8
Big Poppa (Feat. Puff Daddy):
https://youtu.be/n9aMrTQCjBI
Who Shot Ya? (Feat. Puff Daddy & Faith Evans):
https://youtu.be/Aj3UODBOJig
One More Chance/ Stay With Me (Remix) (Feat. Puff Daddy, Faith Evans, Mary J. Blige, Aaliyah & Total):
https://youtu.be/oQvsE3u4Ap0
Another (Feat. Lil' Kim):
https://youtu.be/HTBdofbQtp4
Runnin' (Dying To Live) (Feat. The Notorious B.I.G.) - 2pac:
https://youtu.be/P71REE4C0tk
Nasty Girl (Feat. Puff Daddy, Nelly, Jagged Edge, Avery Storm & Jazzy Pha):
https://youtu.be/TppraZQFJB8
Brooklyn's Finest (Feat. The Notorious B.I.G.) - Jay-Z:
https://youtu.be/Dzzgaf649OM
Get Money (Feat. The Notorious B.I.G. & Lil' Kim) - Junior M.A.F.I.A.:
https://youtu.be/H91vIWnoW0w
Can't You See (Feat The Notorious B.I.G.) - Total:
https://youtu.be/gEdD9TLnXg0
You Can't Stop The Reign (Feat The Notorious B.I.G.) - Shaquille O'Neal:
https://youtu.be/cU2Swkpp_rs
Been Around The World (Feat. The Notorious B.I.G. & Ma$e):
https://youtu.be/XQRjto3yG_I
Crush On You (Feat. Lil' Cease & The Notorious B.I.G.):
https://youtu.be/IBLRlu9UmCM
@ursulpolal5949
The flow and lyricism in this song is absolutely crazy
@mr.kwamid-86_43
The outro is clean too. Too funny lol
@GodKiller436
Truely a masterpiece, just like all the songs of Christopher Wallace!
@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
@mid_1ght
Rip
@juanpabloeslavaurbina2367
We miss you old man.🥺
@zramita.
:(
@Resurrec-zion
Remix https://youtu.be/j0gNzovah5Y
@Resurrec-zion
https://youtu.be/j0gNzovah5Y
@petetj333
Rap master. His flow and this beat elevates you somewhere to the clouds.