The Notorious B.I.G.

Full Name: Christopher Wallace
Profession: Rapper

Nationality:

Biography: Born Christopher Wallace in Bedford-Stuyvesant, New York The Notorious B.I.G. was a pioneering gangsta rapper famous for his rivalry with West Coast rapper Tupac Shakur who was shot and killed a mere six months after Tupac himself.

After a youth spent dealing in drugs and performing under the name 'Biggie Smalls', Wallace was signed by Sean Combs to Uptown Records and later followed him to Combs' own label Bad Boy. In 1993 he made his recording debut on Mary J. Blige's "Real Love" remix, releasing his debut album "Ready to Die" in September 1994. The album was a major success selling over four million copies and spawned a number of successful singles.

After West Coast rap star Tupac Shakur was shot and robbed in November 1994, Shakur, who survived, accused Combs and Wallace of planning the attack. This initiated a heated rivalry between the West and East coast rappers and the two artists continued to taunt each other through their music.

Run-ins with the law followed before Shakur was murdered in September 1996 in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas. Wallace's own death followed in March 1997 when he was shot in a car leaving a party in Los Angeles. The case remains unsolved with a number of documentaries and books suggesting various theories.

Wallace's second album "Life After Death" was released as planned, the title now ironic. It was major success and Wallace became the first artist to achieve two No. 1 pop hits posthumously for "Hypnotize" and "Mo Money, Mo Problems". Combs, now called "Puff Daddy" and Wallace's wife Faith Evans later recorded the single "I'll Be Missing You" in his memory which went on to win a Grammy and become one of the best-selling singles of the year.

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Born: May 21, 1972
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA

Generation: Generation X
Chinese Zodiac: Rat
Star Sign: Gemini

Died: March 9, 1997 (aged 24)
Cause of Death: Murdered in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles