Few rappers have ever done so much in so little time. Christopher Wallace, better known as The Notorious B.I.G. or simply Biggie, released just two studio albums in his lifetime, yet he is still talked about as one of the greatest MCs ever to pick up a microphone. His storytelling and effortless flow put Brooklyn at the centre of mid-1990s hip-hop.
Here's the story of Biggie's life, music and legacy, from the streets of Brooklyn to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. If you're already a fan, have a look at our Notorious B.I.G. collection or browse the wider rap and hip-hop range.
The Notorious B.I.G. Fact File
| Full name | Christopher George Latore Wallace |
|---|---|
| Born | 21 May 1972, Brooklyn, New York City, USA |
| Died | 9 March 1997, Los Angeles (aged 24) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Rapper, songwriter |
| Years active | 1992-1997 |
| Genres | East Coast hip-hop |
| Label | Bad Boy Records |
| Nicknames | Biggie Smalls, Biggie, Big Poppa, Frank White |
Career History
| Years | Band/Label | Key albums/singles |
|---|---|---|
| 1992-1994 | Bad Boy Records | Signed by Sean Combs; early guest verses and the single "Juicy" (US No. 27) |
| 1994-1995 | Bad Boy / Arista | Ready to Die (1994); "Big Poppa" (No. 6), "One More Chance" (No. 2) |
| 1995 | Junior M.A.F.I.A. | Formed the group with Lil' Kim and friends; Conspiracy (1995) |
| 1997 | Bad Boy | Life After Death; "Hypnotize" and "Mo Money Mo Problems" both US No. 1 |
| 1999-2017 | Posthumous releases | Born Again (1999), Duets: The Final Chapter (2005), The King & I (2017) |
Chart positions refer to the US Billboard Hot 100. Biggie released two studio albums during his lifetime; the later records were assembled after his death.
From Brooklyn to Bad Boy
Wallace grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and began rapping as a teenager. A homemade demo tape found its way to the hip-hop magazine The Source, and on to Sean Combs, who signed him to his new label, Bad Boy Records.
His debut single "Juicy" told a rags-to-riches story with warmth and humour, setting the tone for the vivid, cinematic rhymes that followed.
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Ready to Die
Released in September 1994, Ready to Die is regularly named among the finest hip-hop albums ever made. It mixed gritty street narratives with radio-friendly hits such as "Big Poppa", which reached No. 6 on the Hot 100, and "One More Chance", which climbed to No. 2. The album has since been certified 4× Platinum in the US.
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Life After Death and the Legacy
Tragically, Wallace was shot and killed in Los Angeles on 9 March 1997, aged just 24. His second album, the double-disc Life After Death, arrived only 16 days later. It spent four weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and produced two Hot 100 number ones, "Hypnotize" and "Mo Money Mo Problems".
Life After Death was later certified Diamond by the RIAA, one of very few rap albums to reach that mark. The 2009 biopic Notorious, starring Jamal Woolard, introduced him to a new generation.
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Awards
Music Awards
- Four Grammy nominations, including Best Rap Album for Life After Death
Hall of Fame and Certifications
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee (2020)
- Life After Death certified Diamond by the RIAA
- Ready to Die certified 4× Platinum
Away From the Spotlight
Biggie was known for his sharp sense of humour and loyalty to his Brooklyn friends, many of whom joined him in Junior M.A.F.I.A. His mother, Voletta Wallace, spent decades protecting and celebrating his legacy until her death in February 2025.
FAQs
What was The Notorious B.I.G.'s real name?
His real name was Christopher George Latore Wallace.
Where was Biggie Smalls born?
He was born in Brooklyn, New York City, on 21 May 1972.
How old was Biggie when he died?
He was 24. He died in Los Angeles on 9 March 1997. Had he lived, he would have turned 54 in May 2026.
How many albums did The Notorious B.I.G. release?
He made two studio albums: Ready to Die (1994) and Life After Death, released 16 days after his death in 1997. Posthumous albums followed, including Born Again (1999) and Duets: The Final Chapter (2005).
Did Biggie have a number one single?
Yes. "Hypnotize" and "Mo Money Mo Problems" both reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1997.
Is The Notorious B.I.G. in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
Yes, he was inducted as a performer in 2020.
Shop the The Notorious B.I.G. Collection
Our fan-made tribute designs celebrate Biggie's music and Brooklyn roots, printed to order on quality hoodies and T-shirts.
See every design in our Notorious B.I.G. collection, or explore more legends in the rap and hip-hop collection. Want your own name on the back instead? Design a custom name hoodie.
Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: Tupac Shakur: 2Pac's Albums, Films and Enduring Legacy and Michael Jackson: The King of Pop, His Albums and His Legacy.
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