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.
Ready to Die
The Notorious B.I.G. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah...
(You ready motherfucker?)
(We gon' kill your ass)
As I grab the glock, put it to your headpiece
One in the chamber, the safety is off release
Straight at your dome homes, I wanna see cabbageBiggie Smalls the savage, doin your brain cells much damage
Teflon is the material for the imperial
mic ripper girl stripper the Henny sipper
I drop lyrics off and on like a lightswitch
Quick to grab the right bitch and make her drive
the Q-45, glocks and tecs are expected when I wreck shit
Respect is collected, so check it
I got techniques drippin out my buttcheeks
Sleep on my stomach so I don't fuck up my sheets, huh
My shit is deep, deeper than my grave G
I'm ready to die and nobody can save me
Fuck the world, fuck my moms and my girl
My life is played out like a jheri curl, I'm ready to die
As I sit back and look when I used to be a crook
Doin whatever it took from snatchin chains to pocketbooks
A big BAD motherfucker on the wrong road
I got some drugs tried to get the avenue sold
I want it all from the Rolexes
to the Lexus gettin paid, is all I expected
My mother didn't give me what I want, what the fuck?
Now I got a glock, makin motherfuckers duck
Shit is real, and hungry's how I feel
I rob and steal because that money got that whip appeal
Kickin niggaz down the steps just for rep
Any repercussion lead to niggaz gettin wetThe infrared's at your head real steady
You better grab your guns cause I'm ready, ready
I'm ready to die!
(Nah we ain't gon' kill your ass yet)
(We gonna make you suffer)
In a sec I throw the tec to your fuckin neck
Everybody hit the deck, Biggie bout to get some wreck
Quick to leave you in a coffin, for slick talkin
You better act like CeCe, and keep on walkin
When I hit ya, I split ya to the white meat
You swung a left you swung a right you feel to the concrete
Your face, my feet, they meet, we're stompin
I'm rippin MC's from Tallahassee, to Compton
Biggie Smalls on a higher plane
Niggaz say I'm strange deranged because I put the 12 gauge to your brain
Make your shit splatter
Mix the blood like batter then my pocket gets fatter
after the hit, leave you on the street with your neck split
down your backbone to where your motherfuckin cheek drip
The shit I kick, rip it through the vest
Biggie Smalls passin any test, I'm ready to die!
I'm ready
(Time to go, we gonna put you out your misery motherfucker)
Niggaz definitely know what time it is
The Notorious one in full effect
for ninety-three!
Suicidal, I'm ready!
(Now I lay me down to sleep)
Yeah
(Pray the Lord my soul to keep)
(If I should die before I wake)
(I pray the Lord my soul to take)
(Cause I'm ready to die)
(All y'all motherfuckers come with me if you want to)
(Biggie Smalls the biggest man)
(Rockin on and on in ninety-three, Easy Mo Bee)
(Third Eye, and the rest of the Bad Boy fam)
(I don't wanna see no cryin at my funeral)
The lyrics to The Notorious B.I.G.'s song "Ready to Die" are a reflection of the rapper's mindset at the time. The song is a brutal depiction of violence, death and revenge, with Biggie Smalls portraying himself as a murderer ready to take on the world. In the first verse, he grabs a gun, loads it and aims it, ready to take someone's life. He brags about his skills with a gun, and how he can take down anyone who crosses him. He declares that he is "ready to die" and that nobody can save him. In the second verse, Biggie Smalls talks about his life as a criminal on the streets, robbing and stealing to get what he wants. He struggles with being the victim of poverty and desires the luxuries that wealth can bring, including a Rolex and a Lexus. He portrays himself as a ruthless killer, who steps on anyone who gets in his way. The lyrics are raw and take an honest look at the rapper's life and what he has had to do to make it in the industry.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, yeah, you ready motherfucker?
Are you prepared, asshole?
We gonna kill your ass
We're going to murder you.
As I grab the Glock, put it to your headpiece
As I lay my hands on the Glock and put it to your head.
One in the chamber, the safety is off release
One bullet loaded in the chamber, safety off, ready to fire.
Straight at your dome, homes, I wanna see cabbage
Aiming straight for your skull, buddy, I want to see your brains.
Biggie Smalls the savage, doing your brain cells much damage
Biggie Smalls, the brutal rapper, doing significant damage to your brain cells.
Teflon is the material for the imperial
Teflon is the choice material for the king, implying that bullets don't harm him.
Mic ripper, girl stripper, the Henny sipper
Biggie Smalls, the mic ripper, girl stripper, and Henny drinker.
I drop lyrics off and on like a lightswitch
I can spit lyrics on and off like switching on and off a lightbulb.
Quick to grab the right bitch and make her drive the Q
Quick to get the right girl and make her drive the BMW.
45, Glocks and TEC are expected when I wreck shit
Having .45 caliber, Glock, and TEC weapons are deemed necessary when I cause destruction.
Respect is collected, so check it
I've gathered respect, so take note.
I got techniques dripping out my buttcheeks
I have so many techniques; they're just dripping out of me.
Sleep on my stomach so I don't fuck up my sheets, huh
I sleep on my stomach to avoid messing up my beddings, you get it?
My shit is deep, deeper than my grave, G
My rap style is profound, deeper than the burial place I'll lie in.
I'm ready to die and nobody can save me
I'm ready to die, and no one can rescue me.
Fuck the world, fuck my moms and my girl
I don't care about the world, my mother, and my girlfriend.
My life is played out like a Jheri curl, I'm ready to die!
I'm done with my life, just like my Jheri curl, and I'm ready to die.
(Yes, I'm ready)
(Yes, I am prepared.)
(Yes, I'm ready)
(Yes, I am prepared.)
(Yes, I'm ready)
(Yes, I am prepared.)
(So die motherfuckers, die motherfuckers, die)
(So die, motherfuckers, die, motherfuckers, die!)
As I sit back and look when I used to be a crook
I flashback to when I was a criminal.
Doing whatever it took from snatching chains to pocketbooks
I'd do whatever it took to rob people, including stealing their chains and wallets.
A big bad motherfucker on the wrong road
I'm an enormous, fierce criminal on the wrong path.
I got some drugs, tried to get the avenue sewed
I had some drugs and attempted to take control of the block.
I want it all from the Rolex's to the Lexus
I want everything, from Rolex watches to Lexus cars.
Getting paid is all I expected
I expected to get paid for all my criminal activities.
My mother didn't give me what I want, what the fuck?
My mother didn't give me what I desired, and what the hell does that mean?
Now I've got a Glock making motherfuckers duck
Now I have a Glock that makes people dodge my bullets.
Shit is real and hungry's how I feel
I'm starving, and the situation is real.
I rob and steal because that money got that whip appeal
I rob and steal to get that bling factor and the attention it brings.
Kicking niggas down the steps just for rep
I'm knocking guys down the stairs for my reputation.
Any repercussion lead to niggas getting wet
Any action taken against me would lead to shootings.
The infrared's at your head real steady
My infrared gun is aimed at your head with precise accuracy.
You better grab your guns 'cause I'm ready
You better arm yourselves because I'm prepared to shoot.
(Yes, I'm ready)
(Yes, I am prepared.)
(Yes, I'm ready) I'm ready to die
(Yes, I am prepared; I'm ready to die.)
(Yes, I'm ready)
(Yes, I am prepared.)
Nah we ain't gonna kill your ass yet, we gonna make you suffer
We won't kill you right away; we'll inflict pain first.
(So die motherfuckers, die motherfuckers, die)
(So die, motherfuckers, die, motherfuckers, die!)
In a sec, I throw the TEC to your fucking neck
In a second, I'll bring a TEC gun to your damn neck.
Everybody hit the deck, Biggie 'bout to get some rec'
Everyone, lay down on the floor, Biggie's about to kill someone.
Quick to leave you in a coffin for slick talking
I'd kill you fast for talking trash.
You better act like CeCe and keep on walking
You should walk away like CeCe Peniston from her hit song and avoid trouble.
When I hit ya, I split ya to the white meat
When I shoot you, I'll split you down to the bone.
You swung a left, you swung a right, you fell to the concrete
You tried to fight back, but you couldn't, and you fell on the pavement.
Your face, my feet, they meet with stompin'
Your face meets my feet as I stomp you down.
I'm rippin' MCs from Tallahassee to Compton
I'm destroying other rappers from Tallahassee to Compton.
Biggie Smalls on a higher plane
I'm the Notorious one, and I'm on another level of badassery.
Niggas say I'm strange, deranged because I put the 12 gauge to your brain
People consider me bizarre and insane because I point a 12 gauge gun to your head.
Make your shit splatter
I'll make you crap on yourself.
Mix the blood like batter then my pocket gets fatter
Mixing blood and my wallet becomes thicker after a bloody confrontation.
After the hit, leave you on the street with your neck slit
After I hit you, I'll leave you on the street with your throat cut.
Down your backbone to where your motherfucking shit drip
From your spinal cord down to where you defecate, you'll be dripping blood.
The shit I kick, ripping through the vest
My punchlines will tear through your protective vest.
Biggie Smalls passing any test, I'm ready to die!
Biggie Smalls is acing every test, and he's ready to die.
(Yes, I'm ready)
(Yes, I am prepared.)
(Yes, I'm ready) I'm ready
(Yes, I am prepared; I'm ready to go.)
(Yes, I'm ready)
(Yes, I am prepared.)
Time to go, we gonna put you out your misery motherfucker
It's time to go, and we'll put you out of your misery.
Niggas definitely know what time it is (yes, I'm ready)
Everyone knows what time it is, and Biggie is prepared.
The Notorious one in full effect, '93 (yes, I'm ready)
The infamous one is in full swing in 1993, and he's prepared.
Uh, uh (yes, I'm ready)
Uh, uh, yes, I'm prepared.
(So die motherfuckers, die motherfuckers, die) Suicidal, I'm ready!
(So die, motherfuckers, die, motherfuckers, die!) I'm willing to commit suicide for this.
(Yes, I'm ready)
(Yes, I am prepared.)
(So die motherfuckers, die motherfuckers, die)
(So die, motherfuckers, die, motherfuckers, die!)
Now I lay me down to sleep (yeah)
I'm going to bed now.
Pray the Lord my soul to keep
I hope God saves my soul.
If I should die before I wake
If I die in my sleep.
I pray the Lord my soul to take
I hope God takes my soul when I die.
'Cause I'm ready to die
Because I'm prepared to pass away.
All y'all motherfuckers come with me if you want to
All of you can join me in death if you'd like.
Biggie Smalls the biggest man
Biggie Smalls is the most significant man around.
Rocking on and on in ninety-three, Easy Mo Bee
Biggie Smalls is rocking in 1993 with his producer, Easy Mo Bee.
Third Eye and the rest of the Bad Boy fam
Third Eye, and the other members of the Bad Boy family.
I don't wanna see no crying at my funeral
No crying should be displayed at my funeral.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Slamdog500
If Aliens would ask "can you explain Biggie Smalls to us?"
Answer:
Biggie Smalls on a higher plane
Niggas say I'm strange, deranged because I put the 12 gauge to your brain
Make your shit splatter - mix the blood like batter then my pocket gets fatter
After the hit - leave you on the street with your neck slit
Down your backbone to where your motherfucking'shit drip
The shit I kick - ripping through the vest Biggie Smalls passing any test
Biggie saw himself first and foremost as a "Hardcore Rapper", my favorite songs gotta be, "Dead Wrong", "Cunt Renaissance" "Ready To Die", "Who Shot Ya?", "Respect". Really really hardcore stuff but those song were not made for radio like "Juicy" or "Big Poppa" lol.
@pacthug4life
The vibe of this song is something that simply cant be recreated. This is a piece of 90's American culture. Raw, unapologetic, urban music that shifted the western culture. True Hip-Hop classic, timeless music.
@12bnkss78
Kev tgghhhjiui
@kev05wwe53
Preach🙏🏾
@greyfox1889
To this day the crown of hip hop remains without a new king
@Ggdkg
Respect. This is the truth.
@jacdejesus9739
Yes ir is
@warrenpurcell307
Don't forget this whole album was made at age 21.
@DolphinPain
He sounds like he's 35 wtf
@kennysaavedra4944
Crazy shit
@jefffishkin1028
@@djnotorious8900Alright then I see you everywhere let's see it