On March 9, 1997, Christopher Wallace, better known as The Notorious B.I.G., was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles, California. His murder, which remains unsolved, marked a tragic moment in hip-hop history and intensified the East Coast-West Coast rap rivalry of the 1990s.
Background: The Rise of The Notorious B.I.G.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1972, Christopher Wallace grew up in Bedford-Stuyvesant, where he began rapping as a teenager. He gained attention in the early 1990s with underground mixtapes before being signed by Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs’ label, Bad Boy Records.
His 1994 debut album, Ready to Die, became an instant classic, featuring hits like “Juicy”, “Big Poppa”, and “Gimme the Loot”. Biggie’s deep voice, intricate storytelling, and larger-than-life personality made him one of the most influential figures in hip-hop. However, as his fame grew, so did tensions between East Coast and West Coast rap scenes, particularly between Bad Boy Records (New York) and Death Row Records (Los Angeles), led by Suge Knight and Tupac Shakur.
The Murder and Unsolved Mystery
Just six months after Tupac Shakur was killed in a Las Vegas shooting, Biggie traveled to Los Angeles to promote his second album, Life After Death. On the night of March 8, he attended a Soul Train Awards after-party at the Petersen Automotive Museum.
At around 12:45 AM on March 9, Biggie and his entourage left the party in a GMC Suburban. As they waited at a red light on Wilshire Boulevard, a black Chevy Impala pulled up alongside them. A gunman fired four shots, striking Biggie in the chest. He was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 1:15 AM.
Despite multiple theories and allegations—including possible involvement by gang members, corrupt police officers, or figures in the music industry—Biggie’s murder remains officially unsolved.
Impact and Legacy
- A Lasting Influence on Hip-Hop: Biggie’s second album, Life After Death, was released just 16 days after his death and became one of the best-selling rap albums of all time.
- A Symbol of Rap’s Violent Feud: His killing, along with Tupac’s, highlighted the dangers of the East Coast-West Coast rivalry, which began to fade after their deaths.
- An Enduring Legacy: The Notorious B.I.G. is considered one of the greatest rappers of all time, influencing artists like Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, and J. Cole. In 2020, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Reflection: The Tragic Loss of a Legend
Biggie’s murder at just 24 years old remains one of hip-hop’s greatest tragedies. While his life was cut short, his impact on music and culture endures. The Notorious B.I.G. is remembered not only for his lyrical genius but also as a defining voice of 1990s rap, whose influence continues to shape the genre today.
