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.
One More Chance
The Notorious B.I.G. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like that mommy?
Hi, Daddy, how you doing, this is Tyiest
I was thinking about you last night
Mmh, you actin' like you can't call me no more
'Cause you busy and all of that
But you trying to tell me it wasn't good?
That shit is real fucked up what you did
You fucked her, every time you see her
You don't even say shit to her, you know what I'm saying?
And all that bitch do is call me all day talking about you
"Why the fuck B.I.g. Don't want me?"
Yo, Big this is Quita
Kenya told me she saw you and Shanie in the mall
And I know you ain't fucking her
You fucked with me last night
That's my best friend and we don't get down like that
Yeah, motherfucker, this is Stephanie
I was waiting outside for your ass for like a fucking hour
I don't know what's going on
Motherfuckers trying to rob me, you be disappearing and shit
I'm waiting in the cold, what the fuck is going on?
When you get in, give me a fucking call alright?
When it comes to sex, I'm similar to the Thrilla in Manila
Honeys call me Bigga The Condom Filler
Whether it's stiff tongue or stiff dick
Biggie squeeze it to make shit fit, now check this shit (uh)
I got the pack of Rough Riders in the back of the Pathfinder
You know the epilogue by James Todd Smith
I get swift with the lyrical gift
Hit you with the dick, make your kidneys shift
Here we go, here we go, but I'm not Domino (uh)
I got the funk flow to make your drawers drop slow
So recognize the dick size in these Karl Kani jeans
I wear thirteens, know what I mean? (I fuck-)
I fuck around and hit you with the Hennessey dick
Mess around and go blind, don't get to see shit (see shit)
The next batter (batter), here to shatter your bladder
It doesn't matter (uh)
Skinny or fat or light-skinned or black
Baby, I drop these
Boricua mommies screamin', "¡Ay papi!" (I love-)
I love it when they call me Big Poppa
I only smoke blunts if they roll proper
Look, I gotcha caught up with the drunk flow
Fuck tae kwon do, I tote a. 44
For niggas gettin' mad 'cause they bitch chose me
A big black motherfucker with G
Ya see, all I do is separate the game from the truth
Big bang boots from the Bronx to Bolivia
Gettin' physical like Olivia Newt'
Tricks suck my clique dick all day with no trivia
So gimme a ho, a bankroll and a bag of weed
I'm guaranteed to fuck her 'til her nose bleed
Even if your new man's a certified mack
You'll get that H-town in ya, you'll want that old thing back
Oh, Biggie, give me one more chance (uh)
I got that good dick, girl, ya didn't know? (Ooh, yeah)
Oh, Biggie, give me one more chance
I got that good dick, girl, ya didn't know? (Ohh, chance)
Oh, Biggie, give me one more chance
I got that good dick, girl, ya didn't know? (Please, Biggie)
Oh, Biggie, give me one more chance (ohh)
Is my mind playing tricks, like Scarface and Bushwick
Willie D, having nightmares of girls killing me
She mad because what we had didn't last
I'm glad because her cousin let me hit the ass
Fuck the past, let's dwell on the 500SL, the E&J and ginger ale
The way my pockets swell to the rims with Benjamins
Another hone's in the crib? Please, send her in
I fuck non-stop, lick my lips a lot
Used to lick the clits a lot, but licking clits had to stop
'Cause y'all don't know how to act when the tongue go down below
Peep the funk flow
Really, though, I got the cleanest, meanest penis
You never seen this stroke of genius
So take off your Timb boots and your body suit
I mean the spandex and hit my man next (yes)
Sex get rougher when it come to the nut buster
Pussy crusher, black nasty motherfucker
I don't chase 'em, I replace 'em
And if I'm caressing 'em, I'm undressing 'em (mh)
Fuck what you heard, who's the best in New York?
Fulfilling fantasies without that nigga Mr. Roarke or Tattoo
I got you wrapped around my dick and when I nut I got to split
Shit, backshots is my position, I got you wishing for an intermission
Fuck the kissin'
Lickin' down to your belly button, I ain't frontin'
They don't call me big for nuttin' all of a sudden
Oh, Biggie, give me one more chance (Biggie)
Oh, Biggie, give me one more chance (one more chance)
Oh, Biggie, give me one more chance (you got me down on my knees)
Oh, Biggie, give me one more chance (begging you please)
The Notorious B.I.G.’s song One More Chance is an ode to the rapper’s sexual prowess and his ability to attract women, even as they call his phone demanding his attention. The chorus of the song features Biggie boasting about his “good dick” and how women didn't know about it previously. The verses of the song are made up of phone calls from various women who complain about Biggie’s behavior and demand explanations for his actions – at times, almost pleading for him to call them back. The song is a clear representation of Biggie’s iconic image as a womanizer and his power to control and manipulate the women around him.
The lyrics of One More Chance are explicit, yet powerful, and they paint a vivid picture of Biggie’s image and lifestyle. The song was released in 1995 and became one of Biggie’s most popular tracks. It was produced by DJ Premier and released as a remix of an earlier track, also titled One More Chance. The song was featured on Biggie’s album Ready to Die and helped solidify his status as one of the best rappers of his time.
The legacy of One More Chance continues to influence contemporary rap music, with many artists drawing inspiration from Biggie's lyrics and style. The song also helped shape Biggie's overall image as a rapper, making him an icon of hip-hop culture. With his bold and uncompromising lyrics, Biggie established a style of rap that is still celebrated and revered today.
Line by Line Meaning
All you hoes, callin' here for my daddy get off his dick
Don't waste your time calling for Biggie, he's busy with other girls
When it comes to sex, I'm similar to the Thrilla in Manila
Biggie is a skilled lover, just like the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali was in the ring
Honeys call me Bigga The Condom Filler
Biggie brags about having sex with many women and being careful to use protection
Biggie squeeze it to make shit fit, now check this shit (uh)
Biggie is saying he's well-endowed and can satisfy any woman
So recognize the dick size in these Karl Kani jeans
Biggie is suggesting that his penis is so large that it can be seen through his clothes
I fuck around and hit you with the Hennessey dick
Biggie boasts about his stamina in bed and ability to please a woman
Tricks suck my clique dick all day with no trivia
Biggie is saying that women constantly chase him and his friends for sex
Oh, Biggie, give me one more chance
Women are asking Biggie for another chance to have sex with him
I'm guaranteed to fuck her 'til her nose bleed
Biggie is saying he will have sex with a woman so vigorously that she will bleed
Fuck the past, let's dwell on the 500SL, the E&J and ginger ale
Biggie suggests forgetting about old relationships and celebrating with fancy cars and drinks
Lickin' down to your belly button, I ain't frontin'
Biggie enjoys performing oral sex on women and is not ashamed to admit it
Oh, Biggie, give me one more chance (you got me down on my knees)
Women are begging Biggie for another chance to have sex with him
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Carl Thompson, Christopher Wallace, Sean Combs, Blues Brothers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@raybp7512
So many old school cameos! Who else is in this video!
0:16 - Heavy D
0:40 - Leanni Lei
0:40 - Tyson Beckford
0:45 - Uncle Luke
1:05 - Zhane
1:10 - Faith Evans
1:14 - Changing faces
1:18 - D Nice
1:26 - UN aka Lance Rivera
1:52 - Mary J Blige
2:11 - Aaliyah (16 years old)
2:18 - Kid Capri
2:26 - Ask Puff Daddy
2:36 - Da Brat
2:38 - Craig Mack
2:53 - Patra
2:56 - Miss Jones
3:06 - Changing faces
3:34 - Jermaine JD Durpi
3:46 - Queen Latifah behind Heavy D
3:56 - Total
@obesecoomer
If you’re still bumping these tunes by 2024, you’re the ultimate hiphop fan.💯
@sfisonkuna6710
mos def homie!!!
@SurgeCess
I'm bumping this shit in my teepee
@goldenchild3686
This is hip hop. Not that eminem shit.
@naps7742
always.. he should still be alive
@jitenderkadian9010
Yes we are
@cashoutt5957
Faith Evans, Mary J. , and Aaliyah are so beautiful dude like omg....
@Ilikethewayy
yup
@ronnyjordan7056
I agree 1000%
@October3074
They perfected the video!