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.
Sky
The Notorious B.I.G. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I know you ain't no little boy no more
But you'll always be my baby
It seems like only yesterday I was holding you in my arms
Now look at you now big, but I worry about you
I worry about you all the time, hangin' out on the corner
All times at night with the cruel people
Baby, that ain't nothin' but trouble
Well, I want you to hold on to that dream, baby
Hold on to it real tight, 'cause the sky's the limit
Good evenin' ladies and gentlemen
How's everybody doin' tonight? (alright, alright, alright)
I'd like to welcome to the stage, the lyrically acclaimed, ha (woo, woo)
I like this young man, because, when he came out
He came out wit the phrase, he went from ashy to classy
Haha, I like that (alright, alright)
So everybody in the house, give a warm (uh), round of applause for
The Notorious B.I.G. (ha)
The Notorious B.I.G. ladies and gentlemen, give it up for him, y'all
Uh, a nigga never been as broke as me, I like that
When I was young I had two pair of Lee's, besides that
The pin stripes and the gray (uh-huh)
The one I wore on Mondays and Wednesdays (uh)
While niggas flirt, I'm sewing tigers on my shirt
And alligators (uh)
Ya wanna see the inside, huh, I see ya later
Here come the drama, oh, that's that nigga with the fake, uh huh (blaow)
Why you punch me in my face? Stay in ya place
Play ya position (uh), here come my intuition (uh-huh)
Go in this nigga pocket
Rob him while his friends watchin'
That hoes clockin' (uh), here comes respect
His crew's your crew, or they might be next
Look at they man eye, BIG man they never try
So we roll with 'em (uh), stole with 'em
I mean loyalty, niggas bought me milks at lunch
The milks was chocolate, the cookies, buttercrunch
'88, Oshkosh and blue and white dunks (everything will be alright)
Pass the blunt
Sky is the limit and you know that you keep on
Just keep on pressin' on (gotta keep pressin' on)
Sky is the limit and you know that you can
(Gotta keep movin', gotta keep pressin' on)
Have what you want, be what you want
Sky is the limit and you know that you keep on (gotta keep pressin' on)
Just keep on pressin' on (gotta keep pressin' on)
Sky is the limit and you know that you can (oh-ooh)
Have what you want, be what you want
Have what you want, be what you want (oh whoa, oh yeah)
Uh-huh, I was a shame, my crew was lame (uh)
I have enough heart for most of 'em
Long as I got stuff from most of 'em (oh)
It's on, even when I was wrong I got my point across (uh-huh)
They depicted me the boss, of course (alright, alright)
My orange box-cutter make the world go 'round (hmm)
Plus I'm fuckin, bitches ain't my homegirls now (alright, oh yeah)
Start stackin' (uh), dabbled in crack, gun packin' (uh)
Nickname Medina, make the seniors tote my ninas (uh-huh) (whoa-oh, ooh yeah)
From gym class, to English, pass off a global (woo)
The only nigga wit a mobile, can't you see like Total (yeah)
Gettin' larger in waist and taste (oh-ooh)
Ain't no tellin' where this felon is headin', just in case
Keep a shell at the tip of your melon, clear the space (yeah)
Ya brain was a terrible thing to waste (yeah)
Eighty-eight long gates, snatch initial name plates (uh)
Smokin' spliffs wit niggas, real life beginner killers (uh)
Prayin' God forgive us for being sinners, help us out (112 sing the chorus)
Sky is the limit and you know that you keep on (ooh baby)
Just keep on pressin' on (gotta keep pressin' on)
Sky is the limit and you know that you can
(Gotta keep movin', gotta keep pressin' on)
Have what you want, be what you want
Sky is the limit and you know that you keep on (ohh, gotta keep pressin' on)
Just keep on pressin' on (gotta keep pressin' on)
Sky is the limit and you know that you can (yeah, ooh)
Have what you want, be what you want (whoa ooh, yeah)
Have what you want, be what you want (oh, whoa, yes)
After realizin' (uh-huh), to master enterprisin' (uh-huh)
I ain't have to be in school by ten, I then (woo)
Began to encounter, with my counter-parts
On how to burn the block apart, break it down into sections (oh, yeah)
Drugs by the selections
Some use pipes (oh, yeah), others use injections (oh, yeah)
Syringe sold seperately (uh-huh), Frank the deputy (uh-huh)
Quick to grab my Smith & Wesson, like my dick was missin' (alright, alright)
To protect my position, my corner, my layer
While we out here, say the hustlas prayer (yeah)
If the game shakes me or breaks me (oh)
I hope it makes me a better man
Take a better stand
Put money in my moms hand
Get my daughter this college plan, so she don't need no man (uh)
Stay far from timid
Only make moves when your heart's in it
And live the phrase, "Sky's The Limit"
Motherfucker, see you chumps on top
Sky is the limit and you know that you keep on (oh oh)
Just keep on pressin' on (gotta keep pressin' on)
Sky is the limit and you know that you can (gotta keep movin' on)
Have what you want, be what you want (gotta keep pressin' on, baby)
Sky is the limit and you know that you keep on (oh, oh, every day)
Just keep on pressin' on (we'll be alright)
Sky is the limit and you know that you can
(Keep on movin', keep on pressin' on)
Have what you want, be what you want
Sky is the limit and you know that you keep on (gotta keep pressin' on)
Just keep on pressin' on (gotta keep pressin' on)
Sky is the limit and you know that you can (every day will be alright)
Have what you want, be what you want (if you will, oh)
Sky is the limit and you know that you keep on (oh, gotta keep pressin' on)
Just keep on pressin' on (gotta keep pressin' on)
Sky is the limit and you know that you can
Have what you want, be what you want
(Everything will be alright if you will keep on pressin' on)
(Gotta keep pressin' on)
Sky is the limit and you know that you keep on
Just keep on pressin' on (gotta keep pressin' on)
Sky is the limit and you know that you can (gotta keep pressin' on)
Have what you want, be what you want
Sky is the limit and you know that you keep on (oh, whoa, ooh)
Just keep on pressin' on
The Notorious B.I.G.'s song Sky's The Limit is a touching tribute to his mother and an honest reflection on his life experiences. The first verse features a conversation between Biggie and his mother, where she expresses her love and concern for him due to his involvement with troublemakers on the streets. She reminds him that he can achieve whatever he dreams by holding onto his ambition and staying focused on his goals. This advice serves as a key theme for the remainder of the song.
The second verse features a sample of Biggie's former school principal introducing him as "the lyrically acclaimed." From there, Biggie raps about his come-up and how, through hard work and resilience, he was able to achieve success despite early struggles. He describes how he was a shame to his crew initially, but through determination and his belief that "the sky's the limit," he was able to make a name for himself in the rap game. The chorus acts as a hopeful reminder that despite adversity and obstacles, one can achieve anything they want as long as they stay persistent and resilient.
Overall, the song showcases the importance of perseverance and ambition in the midst of adversity. It also highlights Biggie's deep connection to his mother, who served as a guiding force in his life.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, look at me, mama love you
Motherly love and affection for her child.
And I know you ain't no little boy no more
The acknowledgement that the child is grown up now.
But you'll always be my baby
The child will always be special to the mother.
It seems like only yesterday I was holding you in my arms
Reflecting on how quickly time has passed and how fast the child has grown up.
Now look at you now big, but I worry about you
The mother has concerns for her child's well-being.
I worry about you all the time, hangin' out on the corner
The child's behavior and actions are giving the mother cause for concern.
All times at night with the cruel people
The mother is worried about her child hanging out with dangerous individuals.
Baby, that ain't nothin' but trouble
The mother is warning her child about the consequences of hanging out with the wrong crowd.
I always taught you that you could have whatever you dream
Encouragement from the mother to chase after your dreams.
Well, I want you to hold on to that dream, baby
Reiteration of the importance of holding onto your dreams and aspirations.
Hold on to it real tight, 'cause the sky's the limit
The mother believes that there are no limits to what her child can achieve if they work hard enough.
Sky is the limit and you know that you keep on
Reiteration of the limitless potential that the child possesses.
Just keep on pressin' on (gotta keep pressin' on)
Encouragement to keep pushing forward despite the hardships and challenges.
Sky is the limit and you know that you can
The child is reminded that there are no limits to what they can achieve.
Have what you want, be what you want
Encouragement to chase after your dreams and desires and become the person you aspire to be.
Good evenin' ladies and gentlemen
Introduction of a performer at a public event.
How's everybody doin' tonight? (alright, alright, alright)
Opening of a performance with an interaction with the audience.
I'd like to welcome to the stage, the lyrically acclaimed, ha (woo, woo)
Introduction of the performer to the audience, highlighting their talent.
I like this young man, because, when he came out
Praise and admiration for the performer's talent and impact.
He came out wit the phrase, he went from ashy to classy
The performer's story of overcoming difficulties and achieving success is highlighted.
Haha, I like that (alright, alright)
Appreciation and enjoyment of the performer's story and style.
The Notorious B.I.G. (ha)
Announcement of the performer's name.
The Notorious B.I.G. ladies and gentlemen, give it up for him, y'all
Encouragement for the audience to applaud and appreciate the performer.
Uh, a nigga never been as broke as me, I like that
Confidence and pride in overcoming struggles and rising to success.
When I was young I had two pair of Lee's, besides that
Reflecting on humble beginnings and financial struggles as a youth.
The pin stripes and the gray (uh-huh)
Description of the clothing the performer wore during their youth.
Y'all wanna see the inside, huh, I see ya later
Playful interaction with the audience.
Here come the drama, oh, that's that nigga with the fake, uh huh (blaow)
Introduction of conflict and tension in the performer's story.
Why you punch me in my face? Stay in ya place
Response to conflict and confrontation with a warning to stay in your place.
Play ya position (uh), here come my intuition (uh-huh)
Trust in one's instincts and ability to handle conflict.
Go in this nigga pocket
Plan to steal from the individual causing the conflict.
Rob him while his friends watchin'
Bold plan to steal in front of witnesses.
That hoes clockin' (uh), here comes respect
Acknowledgement of the attention of onlookers while executing the plan.
His crew's your crew, or they might be next
A warning to others that they may be targeted next if they don't respect the performer's crew.
Look at they man eye, BIG man they never try
Confidence in the performer's ability to intimidate and avoid conflict.
So we roll with 'em (uh), stole with 'em
Building trust and loyalty within a crew through criminal activity.
I mean loyalty, niggas bought me milks at lunch
Highlighting the importance of loyalty within a crew, even through small acts of kindness.
The milks was chocolate, the cookies, buttercrunch
Descriptive detail of the type of food and favorite treats shared among the crew.
'88, Oshkosh and blue and white dunks (everything will be alright)
Reference to a particular year and the type of clothing and shoes worn at the time.
Pass the blunt
Request to pass a joint filled with marijuana.
After realizin' (uh-huh), to master enterprisin' (uh-huh)
Reflecting on the need to be business-savvy and strategic in order to be successful in criminal activity.
I ain't have to be in school by ten, I then (woo)
Experience of deviating from the norm of attending school and beginning a life of criminal activity.
Began to encounter, with my counter-parts
Meeting others who were also involved in criminal activity.
On how to burn the block apart, break it down into sections (oh, yeah)
Discussing and planning tactics to expand their criminal activity and control of a particular area.
Drugs by the selections
Description of products sold by the performers and their associates.
Some use pipes (oh, yeah), others use injections (oh, yeah)
Variations of drug use among different groups of people.
Syringe sold separately (uh-huh), Frank the deputy (uh-huh)
Detail of drug paraphernalia and the performer's associate who was in law enforcement.
Quick to grab my Smith & Wesson, like my dick was missin' (alright, alright)
Reference to the performer's quick and assertive response to potential threats.
To protect my position, my corner, my layer
Motivation to protect one's territory and business interests.
While we out here, say the hustlas prayer (yeah)
Acknowledgment of the lifestyle and profession of criminal activity.
If the game shakes me or breaks me (oh)
Acknowledgment of the potential dangers and consequences of the performer's line of work.
I hope it makes me a better man
Optimism that challenges and difficulties will ultimately lead to personal growth and development.
Take a better stand
Encouragement to improve one's way of life.
Put money in my moms hand
Aspiration to provide financial support for the performer's mother.
Get my daughter this college plan, so she don't need no man (uh)
Motivation to provide educational opportunities for the performer's daughter in order to secure her independence and future success.
Stay far from timid
Encouragement to be bold and take risks in order to achieve success.
Only make moves when your heart's in it
Advice to only pursue endeavors that align with one's passions and aspirations.
And live the phrase, "Sky's The Limit"
Motivation to aspire to great heights and reach limitless potential.
Motherfucker, see you chumps on top
Assertiveness and confidence in one's ability to rise to the top of their profession and dominate over competitors.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bobby Caldwell, Sean Combs, Hubert Barclay Iii Eaves, Dj Clark Kent, Christopher Wallace, James N Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kingofthedead5445
If you're listening in 2024 you're legend💯
@bones2273
Na we just from an different era where talent was a thing my dude👍🏼
@vetinavetina173
For ever❤🙌
@waleafjarrett4148
I wouldn’t say a legend but you’re definitely a wise one
@soonerorlater1474
♥️💙🗣2021
@joshrod8622
Your a legend to 🙏🙏🙏
@kinglaugh327
Today is my dad's birthday. He was killed in 01 and this was his favorite song. So I play it every year for him. HAPPY BIRTHDAY dad.
It's that time again. And last night dad they thru us a surprise birthday party. I'm sad and happy because you were killed at this age and now I've out lived you. You'd be proud. I own a store, I've written children's books. I've been on TV and in magazines, radio. My books are in libraries. I'm proving that sky is the limit and I am flying.
@OsahonUwagboe
May he rest in peace
@JJB855
illRain327 May he rest in peace.
@jonathanmaduike
illRain327 🙏🏾💜