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.
Warning
The Notorious B.I.G. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the morning, crack of dawn and
Now I'm yawning, wipe the cold out my eye
See who's this paging me and why?
It's my nigga, Pop, from the barbershop
Told me he was in the gambling spot and heard the intricate plot
Of niggas wanna stick me like flypaper, neighbor
Slow down love, please chill, drop the caper
Remember them niggas from the hill up in Brownsville
That you rolled dice with, smoked blunts and got nice with?
Yeah my nigga Fame up in Prospect
Nah them my niggas nah love wouldn't disrespect
I didn't say them, they schooled me to some niggas
That you knew from back when, when you was clocking minor figures
Now they heard you're blowing up like nitro
And they wanna stick the knife through your windpipe slow
So, thank Fame for warning me 'cause now I'm warning you
I got the MAC, nigga tell me what you gonna do
Damn, niggas wanna stick me for my paper
Damn, niggas wanna stick me for my paper
Damn, niggas wanna stick me for my paper
Damn, niggas wanna stick me for my paper
They heard about the Rolex's and the Lexus
With the Texas license plates out of state
They heard about the pounds you got down in Georgetown
And they heard you got half of Virginia locked down
They even heard about the crib you bought your moms out in Florida
The Fifth Corridor
Call the coroner!
There's gonna be a lot of slow singing and flower bringing
If my burglar alarm starts ringing
What ya think all the guns is for?
All-purpose war, got the Rottweilers by the door
And I feed 'em gunpowder, so they can devour
The criminals trying to drop my decimals
Damn, niggas wanna stick me for my cream
And it ain't a dream, things ain't always what it seem
It's the ones that smoke blunts with ya, see your picture
Now they wanna grab they guns and come and get ya
Bet ya Biggie won't slip
I got the Calico with the Black Talons loaded in the clip
So I can rip through the ligaments
Put the fuckers in a bad predicament, where all the foul niggas went
Touch my cheddar, feel my Beretta
Buck! What I'ma hit you with you motherfuckers better duck
I bring pain, bloodstains on what remains
Of his jacket, he had a gun he shoulda packed it
Cocked it, extra clips in my pocket
So I can reload and explode on you rasshole
I fuck around and get hardcore
C-4 to your door, no beef no more nigga
Feel the rough, scandalous
The more weed smoke I puff, the more dangerous
I don't give a fuck about you or your weak crew
What you gonna do when Big Poppa comes for you?
I'm not running, nigga I bust my gun and
Hold on, I hear somebody coming
(C'mon motherfucker) I'm only comin' to pass the gat
(Just bring your motherfuckin' ass on, come on)
Are we gettin' close, huh?
(It's right over here)
Are you sure this Biggie Smalls crib man?
(Yeah I'm sure motherfucker, c'mon!)
Ahh fuck, it better be his motherfuckin' house
Fuck right here
This better be this motherfucker's house
(Oh shit!) What, what's wrong?
(What's that red dot on your head man!)
What red dot?
Oh shit!
You got a red dot on your head too!
Ohh shit!
The Notorious B.I.G.'s song "Warning" tells the story of Biggie receiving a warning from his friend, Fame, about a group of people trying to rob him. The song's lyrics describe Biggie's response to the threat, claiming that he is prepared to defend himself with a gun and his own wit. Throughout the song, Biggie emphasizes that he is prepared for any danger that may come his way, as evidenced by his reference to his "all-purpose war." This line shows that Biggie is taking a proactive approach to protect himself from those who might seek to hurt him, both physically and financially, as he acknowledges that people are after his money and possessions.
The song also shows the harsh reality of Biggie's life as a rapper in a world where violence and robbery are common occurrences. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Damn, niggas wanna stick me for my paper," a reference to the fact that people are willing to harm him for his wealth. The song ends on a cliffhanger as Biggie and his visitor realize they are being watched and targeted with a red dot. This dramatic ending emphasizes the constant danger that Biggie lived with as a public figure and speaks to the idea that no one, not even the famous, are safe from the violence of the streets.
Line by Line Meaning
Who the fuck is this? Paging me at 5:46
I received a page from an unknown caller very early in the morning and I am wondering who could be paging me and why.
In the morning, crack of dawn and
Now I'm yawning, wipe the cold out my eye
See who's this paging me and why?
I am waking up from my sleep in the early morning and feeling tired. I am trying to figure out why my friend Pop is paging me so early in the morning.
It's my nigga, Pop, from the barbershop
Told me he was in the gambling spot and heard the intricate plot
Of niggas wanna stick me like flypaper, neighbor
Slow down love, please chill, drop the caper
My friend Pop called me to inform me he was at the gambling spot and overheard some people plotting to rob me. In response, I am telling my friend to calm down and not to worry.
Remember them niggas from the hill up in Brownsville
That you rolled dice with, smoked blunts and got nice with?
Do you recall those guys from Brownsville that we used to hang out with, play dice with, and smoke blunts with?
Yeah my nigga Fame up in Prospect
Nah them my niggas nah love wouldn't disrespect
I was referring to my friend Fame from Prospect whom I trust and not the guys from Brownsville.
I didn't say them, they schooled me to some niggas
That you knew from back when, when you was clocking minor figures
I was informed by Brownsville guys about some people you used to deal with in your past when you were making less money.
Now they heard you're blowing up like nitro
And they wanna stick the knife through your windpipe slow
So, thank Fame for warning me 'cause now I'm warning you
I got the MAC, nigga tell me what you gonna do
They realize that you have become successful and wealthy, and they want to harm you because of it. I am thanking my friend for warning me and now I am warning you. Don't worry, I have a gun and I am ready to protect myself.
Damn, niggas wanna stick me for my paper
Damn, niggas wanna stick me for my paper
Damn, niggas wanna stick me for my paper
Damn, niggas wanna stick me for my paper
I am frustrated that people are targeting me because of my money.
They heard about the Rolex's and the Lexus
With the Texas license plates out of state
They heard about the pounds you got down in Georgetown
And they heard you got half of Virginia locked down
They even heard about the crib you bought your moms out in Florida
The Fifth Corridor
People are envious of my wealth and spread rumors about my possessions, such as my Rolex watch and my Lexus car with a Texas license plate, and the amount of drugs I have and the houses I own.
Call the coroner!
There's gonna be a lot of slow singing and flower bringing
If my burglar alarm starts ringing
What ya think all the guns is for?
All-purpose war, got the Rottweilers by the door
And I feed 'em gunpowder, so they can devour
The criminals trying to drop my decimals
If someone tries to rob me, I am ready to fight back and protect myself. I have dogs by the door and I feed them gunpowder to make them attack. If someone tries to steal my money or merchandise, it means war.
Damn, niggas wanna stick me for my cream
And it ain't a dream, things ain't always what it seem
It's the ones that smoke blunts with ya, see your picture
Now they wanna grab they guns and come and get ya
People that I trust can be the ones who try to harm me the most. They envy me and want to take my money or possessions, so I need to be careful who I associate with.
Bet ya Biggie won't slip
I got the Calico with the Black Talons loaded in the clip
So I can rip through the ligaments
Put the fuckers in a bad predicament, where all the foul niggas went
Touch my cheddar, feel my Beretta
Buck! What I'ma hit you with you motherfuckers better duck
I am confident that I am not going to let anyone rob me or harm me. I have a powerful gun and great aim. Anyone who tries to attack me should be prepared to face the consequences.
I bring pain, bloodstains on what remains
Of his jacket, he had a gun he shoulda packed it
Cocked it, extra clips in my pocket
So I can reload and explode on you rasshole
I fuck around and get hardcore
C-4 to your door, no beef no more nigga
Feel the rough, scandalous
I am ready to use lethal force if someone tries to harm me. I am dangerous, and if someone messes with me, they should be prepared to face the consequences.
The more weed smoke I puff, the more dangerous
I don't give a fuck about you or your weak crew
What you gonna do when Big Poppa comes for you?
The more marijuana I smoke, the more aggressive and dangerous I become. I don't care about people who try to harm me or their friends. If they come after me, I will fight back.
I'm not running, nigga I bust my gun and
Hold on, I hear somebody coming
I am not going to run away from any problems. I am carrying my gun and waiting to see what happens next.
(C'mon motherfucker) I'm only comin' to pass the gat
(Just bring your motherfuckin' ass on, come on)
Are we gettin' close, huh?
(It's right over here)
Are you sure this Biggie Smalls crib man?
(Yeah I'm sure motherfucker, c'mon!)
Ahh fuck, it better be his motherfuckin' house
Fuck right here
This better be this motherfucker's house
(Oh shit!)
What, what's wrong?
(What's that red dot on your head man!)
What red dot?
Oh shit!
You got a red dot on your head too!
Ohh shit!
Two people are approaching my house with guns, but I am not afraid. They seem nervous, and they mistakenly thought that someone marked them with a red dot, but it turned out to be a hallucination caused by their anxiety.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BURT F BACHARACH, HAL DAVID, OSTEN S HARVEY, CHRISTOPHER WALLACE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@NotoriousBIG
📣📣📣 CALLING ALL B.I.G. FANS We need your help to vote Big Poppa into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The sky’s the limit when we band together. Cast your vote 🗳 for the King here http://bit.ly/Vote4BIG Voting ends January 10 and you can vote ONCE PER DAY
@grzesiekpio5792
Done !!!
@listerdilemma9863
Done 🔥
@lancemetta5052
Done ✅
@mrgoode1647
💪 it's a must
@TheodorTz
just did it ! and i will vote everyday 'till January 10 ! Biggie deserves this ! <3
@sunilkhosla1979
"There's gonna be lot of slow singing and flower bringing if my burglar alarm starts ringing". One of the best lines ever written.
@BEAZY_5150
“In the Bible it says what goes around comes around, Homo shot me, three weeks later he got shot down
Now it's clear that I'm here for a real reason
'Cause he got hit like I got hit, but he ain't fuckin' breathin'” -50
@JeezWhiz1
And don’t forget: “It’s the ones that smoke blunts witcha, see ya pitcha, now they wanna grab they guns and come and gitcha!’
@synethialyons2212
No doubt🎉