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.
Runnin'
The Notorious B.I.G. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight?
Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight?
Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?
Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?
Check it, I grew up a fuckin' screw-up
Got introduced to the game, got a ounce and fuckin' blew up
The nigga Biggie Smalls trying to turn into the black Frank White
We had to grow dreads to change our description
Two cops is on the milk box missing
Show they toes you know they got stepped on
A fist full of bullets a chest full of Teflon
Run from the police picture that, nigga I'm too fat
I fuck around and catch a asthma attack
That's why I bust back, it don't phase me
When he drop, take his Glock, and I'm Swayze
Celebrate my escape, sold the Glock, bought some weight
Lay back, I got some money to make, motherfucker
And I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm dead?
Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight?
Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight?
Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?
Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?
It's on me
But still I'm having memories of high speed when the cops crashed
As I laugh, pushing the gas while my Glocks blast
We was young and we was dumb, but we had heart
In the dark, will we survive through the bad parts
Many dreams is what I had, and plenty wishes
No hesitation in extermination of these snitches
Envious bitches, they still continue to pursue me
A couple of movies, now the whole world's trying to screw me
Even the cops tried to sue me, so what can I do?
But stay true, sipping 22's of brew
And now media is trying to test me
Got the press asking questions, trying to stress me
Misery is all I see, that's my mind state
My history with the police will shake the crime rate
My main man had two strikes, slipped, got arrested and flipped
He screamed "thug life" and emptied the clip
Got tired of running from the police
And I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm dead?
Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight?
Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight?
Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?
Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?
The Notorious B.I.G.'s song "Runnin'" from the album "Born Again" is a contemplative track where he questions the purpose of his struggles, his motives, and the need for a change in his life that makes him reflect on his own mortality. The song takes us through his experience of growing up and getting involved in the street life, with the weight of the world and the law always at his back. He wonders why he is fighting to live when he is just living to fight and how to fill the emptiness in his life. It's a deeply introspective and existential piece set against a funky backdrop.
The first verse starts with Biggie expressing his doubts about being remembered when he dies. He wonders if people will mock him even when he's gone, and this leads him to reflect on his identity and struggles in life. The hook then follows with questions that lead to the same question the songwriter is asking himself: Why continue to fight a fightless fight? Why try to see when everything seems dark? Why give when no one's giving back? Why die to live when you're just living to die? These are universal questions that anyone in their life has probably thought over at some point.
In the second verse, Biggie reminisces about his early days as a drug dealer and how he made it in the game. He speaks about the deadening grind of drug dealing: overnight rock-cutting and other vices. He talks about how he had to change his appearance to avoid being recognized by the authorities. Eventually, he found success but experienced loss along the way with fellow dealers getting killed or arrested. He impresses his experience in the listener, almost as a warning of the dangers of the street life.
The third verse speaks about Biggie's paranoia and the need for security. He recounts a time when he and his boys were caught in a high-speed chase with the police, It's punctuated with warm laughter despite being in a life-threatening situation. He speaks about having enemies wishing him dead and chasing him for his money and mentions a couple of instances where he was nearly killed. He feels besieged by the media and the law, and with every misstep, the world tries to bring him down. The verse concludes with Biggie's friend losing hope and taking his own life after getting arrested for the third time.
Overall, "Runnin'" is an introspective song that stands out from the rest of The Notorious B.I.G.'s music. It reflects his personal struggles with the lows of the street life and the paranoia that comes with it. The chorus questions purpose in life, and the verses reflect on the dangers of street politics. The song showcases Biggie's lyrical prowess and the clarity with which he communicates the realities of his life.
Line by Line Meaning
And I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm dead?
I wonder if people will mock me after I'm gone.
Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight?
What's the point of going through the struggle of life if it's just one big fight?
Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight?
Why bother searching for something when there's nothing to be found?
Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?
Why should I continue to give when I never get anything in return?
Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?
Why bother living if it ultimately leads to death?
Check it, I grew up a fuckin' screw-up
Listen closely, I had a rough upbringing
Got introduced to the game, got a ounce and fuckin' blew up
I entered the drug trade and quickly became successful
Choppin' rocks overnight
I worked all night breaking down drugs
The nigga Biggie Smalls trying to turn into the black Frank White
I'm striving to become like the character Frank White from the movie King of New York
We had to grow dreads to change our description
To avoid being profiled by the police, we changed our appearance by growing dreadlocks
Two cops is on the milk box missing
Two police officers are missing and presumed dead
Show they toes you know they got stepped on
If you see their toes, you know they're dead
A fist full of bullets a chest full of Teflon
I have a gun loaded with Teflon bullets, which are designed to pierce body armor
Run from the police picture that, nigga I'm too fat
I'm not running from the police, I'm too overweight
I fuck around and catch a asthma attack
I might have an asthma attack if I try to run
That's why I bust back, it don't phase me
This is why I shoot back, it doesn't scare me
When he drop, take his Glock, and I'm Swayze
When the cop falls, take his gun and I'm like Patrick Swayze in the movie Road House
Celebrate my escape, sold the Glock, bought some weight
After successfully getting away, I sold the gun and bought more drugs
Lay back, I got some money to make, motherfucker
Now that I'm in the clear, I can relax and focus on making more money
It's on me
I'm responsible for what happens next
But still I'm having memories of high speed when the cops crashed
I can't forget the time we were running from the cops and they crashed their car
As I laugh, pushing the gas while my Glocks blast
I laughed while speeding away and shooting my gun
We was young and we was dumb, but we had heart
We were young and foolish, but we were brave
In the dark, will we survive through the bad parts
During the difficult times, can we make it through?
Many dreams is what I had, and plenty wishes
I had many goals and aspirations
No hesitation in extermination of these snitches
I have no problem killing those who betray us
Envious bitches, they still continue to pursue me
Jealous women still come after me
A couple of movies, now the whole world's trying to screw me
After appearing in a few films, everyone is trying to take advantage of me
Even the cops tried to sue me, so what can I do?
Even the police are trying to bring me down, there's nothing I can do
But stay true, sipping 22's of brew
But I'll stay true to myself, drinking 22 ounce bottles of beer
And now media is trying to test me
The media is trying to provoke me
Got the press asking questions, trying to stress me
The press is trying to stress me out by asking difficult questions
Misery is all I see, that's my mind state
I'm constantly surrounded by suffering, that's my state of mind
My history with the police will shake the crime rate
My past dealings with the police will affect the crime rate
My main man had two strikes, slipped, got arrested and flipped
My friend had two prior convictions, messed up, got caught again and turned informant
He screamed 'thug life' and emptied the clip
He yelled 'thug life' and fired all his bullets
Got tired of running from the police
He was exhausted from constantly fleeing the police
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: EDGAR WINTER, CHRISTOPHER WALLACE, OSTEN HARVEY, MARSHALL B III MATHERS, LUIS RESTO, TUPAC AMARU SHAKUR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@apblolol
"Why am i dying to live, if im just living to die." Hits me every time
@CrackZulu
Not alone
@Smash896
Word up
@lauriecook7128
Same here
@user-wg1bj6mi4c
Сложно брат
@krystalford300
@@CrackZulu sssssssss
@haloskaterkid
A friendship destroyed by media intervention. Two poets gone before their time like many others that came before them. RIP pac and big, your influence and message lives on
@quest6264
adrift dam that got me thinking KINGS RESTING NOW
@omgman2248
Brad favor with Tupac Shakur
@MHWRESTLIN
quest 626 no the friendship was destroyed by Pac getting shot and rumours that bad boy set it up and biggie knew but never warned him