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.
Massacre
The Notorious B.I.G. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everyone neighbors, man that is superb
We're getting this shit for sure because I'm so cold
No man like me before
I can rap about ten "k" on my feet
but that truly ain't me, so I'm going to rock the city like Meek
They created a beast
Never on a leash
Do you feel the heat
Because I'm spitting on the beat
I'm never going to breed; I'm only going to lead
Team going to feed, man never Mickey D's
Massacre on top of this here beat
Massacre on top of this here beat
Massacre on top of this here beat
Never been one for the bragging and posing
But here I am, talking about my verses
I guess I'm infatuated with the ride I my wave
But you better never ever talk on my name
Because I'm destined for this fame
Man stay in your own lane, get to your own game, get to your own cake
If you want to be funny
Go post some memes
If you want the money
Go get a degree
And if you want the fame, bitches, and the hate,
well gather yourself and follow my routine
Ya I'm disrespectful, even though I made a handful
Because I made it on my own, with no fucking help though
This is for the team, man fuck all the beef
Because I am purely about my green
Oh my God, sir
Massacre on top of this here beat
Massacre on top of this here beat
Massacre on top of this here beat
Ok un morenito, adentro de los Estados
Ja teng un desventaja por el piel
Pero no voy aparar como los pinches pagos
Voy a morir con puros putasos
Te diego suavesito
Sube tu vidro
Porque esto es para mis vatos
Esto es para mi familia
Por todos que me dieron alegria
Por todos los bocones,
shupen mis huevos
Ya se que eres un guero pero no eres un pelenero
Eres un pendejo
Me dijo el hombre del cielo
I just switched the language to show that I am versatile
What else do you want from a 17 year old juvenile
High expectations for me, like I'm Harry Styles
But you better sit down and mind your own shit
I've been in my closet and trying to make hit
No, I'm not coming out, that's that gay shit
I'm ripping in, like a gift during Christmas
Leaving rappers dead, like it's been on my wish list
I'm nice with this shit, on one "k" playlists
All off of one little hit bitch
What if I dropped an entire fucking album
I know I got you going crazy thinking about the outcome
Massacre on top of this here beat
Massacre on top of this here beat
In "Massacre," The Notorious B.I.G. appears to be speaking from the perspective of a young up-and-coming rapper looking to make a name for himself. Throughout the song, he exudes confidence and ambition, declaring that he will rock the city and become a leader in the rap game. He also touches on themes of self-reliance and hard work, suggesting that success will only come to those who work for it and don't rely on handouts. The line "I'm never going to breed; I'm only going to lead" speaks to this ethos of leadership and independence.
The chorus of the song, "Massacre on top of this here beat," is repeated multiple times and seems to serve as a mantra of sorts for the rapper. He believes that he is killing it on the track and wants everyone to know it. The use of the word "massacre" implies a level of aggression and dominance, suggesting that he's not just competing in the rap game, but rather crushing the competition.
The song takes an interesting turn when the rapper switches to Spanish for a verse. He seems to be addressing a specific group of people - "mis vatos" - and is perhaps channeling his Latino heritage. This is noteworthy not only because it adds another layer of complexity and depth to the song, but also because there are relatively few mainstream rap songs that incorporate Spanish in this way.
Line by Line Meaning
If I get a label, I'm putting us all in the suburbs
If I make it big in the music industry, I'm going to move my crew and I to the suburbs to live closer and be neighbors like a family.
We're getting this shit for sure because I'm so cold
We're going to make it big in the music industry because I'm an exceptional rapper and I'm confident in my talent.
No man like me before
I'm one of a kind and my unique style sets me apart from other rappers.
I can rap about ten 'k' on my feet but that truly ain't me, so I'm going to rock the city like Meek
I could rap about fancy clothes and jewelry like other rappers, but that's not who I am. I'm going to represent my city and make it shine with my music, like Meek Mill does for Philadelphia.
They created a beast
The music industry and my haters have made me into the fierce and unstoppable rapper I am today.
Never on a leash
I never let anyone control me or my music. I do things my own way, always.
Man write your own piece
Don't bite or copy someone else's lyrics or style - be creative and original with your music.
Do you feel the heat, because I'm spitting on the beat
Can you feel the intensity and fire in my music? I'm putting all my energy and passion into these rhymes and it shows.
I'm never going to breed; I'm only going to lead
I'm not going to follow anyone else's footsteps or style. I'm going to blaze my own trail and be a leader in the industry.
Team going to feed, man never Mickey D's
My crew and I will succeed and make a living from our music - we won't settle for mediocre fast food jobs like McDonald's.
Massacre on top of this here beat
I'm killing this beat with my rhymes and flow, leaving other rappers in the dust.
Never been one for the bragging and posing, but here I am, talking about my verses
I don't usually boast or show off, but I'm proud of the rhymes I'm spitting and wanted to share them.
I guess I'm infatuated with the ride I my wave
I'm loving the success and attention that comes with being a successful rapper.
But you better never ever talk on my name
Don't ever disrespect me or my music or there will be consequences.
Because I'm destined for this fame
I was born to be a superstar and nothing will stop me from achieving my dreams.
Man stay in your own lane, get to your own game, get to your own cake
Focus on your own life and success and don't try to ride my coattails or copy my style. Make your own money and pursue your own dreams.
If you want to be funny, go post some memes
Don't try to be funny or clever in the rap game - stick to social media if that's what you're good at.
If you want the money, go get a degree
If you want to make good money, get an education and pursue a career outside of the music industry.
And if you want the fame, bitches, and the hate, well gather yourself and follow my routine
If you want the attention and negative aspects that come with fame, then try to emulate my style and follow in my footsteps.
Ya I'm disrespectful, even though I made a handful
I might come across as rude or arrogant, but I earned my success through hard work and talent - not by kissing up to others.
Because I made it on my own, with no fucking help though
I became successful without any outside assistance or favors. I earned everything I have through my own hard work and dedication.
This is for the team, man fuck all the beef
My music is dedicated to my crew and we don't have time for drama or conflict with other rappers.
Because I am purely about my green
I'm motivated by money and success and will do whatever it takes to achieve those goals.
Ok un morenito, adentro de los Estados
Ok, I'm a little black guy inside the United States.
Ja teng un desventaja por el piel
I'm at a disadvantage because of my skin color.
Pero no voy aparar como los pinches pagos
But I won't give up like other people who are discriminated against and oppressed.
Voy a morir con puros putasos
I'm going to fight hard and keep going until the end.
Te diego suavesito
I'm telling you gently.
Sube tu vidro
Raise your glass.
Porque esto es para mis vatos
Because this is for my homies.
Esto es para mi familia
This is for my family.
Por todos que me dieron alegria
For all those who brought me joy.
Por todos los bocones, shupen mis huevos
For all those who talked shit, suck my balls.
Ya se que eres un guero pero no eres un pelenero
I know you're a white boy, but you're not a pussy.
Eres un pendejo
You're an idiot.
Me dijo el hombre del cielo
The man from heaven told me.
I just switched the language to show that I am versatile
I'm using Spanish in my rhymes to showcase my versatility as a rapper.
What else do you want from a 17 year old juvenile
I'm only 17 years old - what more can you ask for from such a young rapper?
High expectations for me, like I'm Harry Styles
People have high expectations for me, like they do for famous artists like Harry Styles.
But you better sit down and mind your own shit
Don't worry about my life or my music - focus on your own problems.
I've been in my closet and trying to make hit
I've been working hard in my room to create hit songs and build my career.
No, I'm not coming out, that's that gay shit
I'm not gay - I'm just focused on my music and don't want to be distracted by anything else.
I'm ripping in, like a gift during Christmas
I'm rapping with intensity and passion, like opening a gift on Christmas morning.
Leaving rappers dead, like it's been on my wish list
I'm dominating other rappers and surpassing their success like I always hoped to.
I'm nice with this shit, on one 'k' playlists
My music is fire and I'm already on popular playlists with thousands of listens.
All off of one little hit bitch
I made it big with just one hit song, and now my career is taking off.
What if I dropped an entire fucking album
Imagine how much more successful I could be if I released a full album of amazing music.
I know I got you going crazy thinking about the outcome
I'm sure my fans are excited and eager to hear what else I have in store for them.
Massacre on top of this here beat
I'm absolutely killing it on this beat and leaving other rappers in the dust.
Massacre on top of this here beat
Once again, I'm dominating this beat with my incredible flow and rhymes.
Massacre on top of this here beat
I'm so confident in my skills and talent that I'm calling out my competitors and daring them to try and keep up with me on this beat.
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: German Garcia
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gyguhuhi
on Big Poppa - 2005 Remaster
SEX