Daily BirthdaysChristopher Wallace
Gangsta rapper Biggie Smalls, aka The Notorious B.I.G., was born Christopher Wallace in Brooklyn, N.Y. Although he was reported to have grown up in a rough neighbourhood Broomfield's interviews reveal a sensitive young man who attended private school and lived a life of relative privilege. Testimonies to his character reveal a sensitive and thoughtful character, very much in contrast to the persona put forward by his music. Following a spell in prison for drug dealing, Biggie's demo recordings were picked up by Sean 'Puff Daddy' Coombs who signed him to Bad Boy Records. His debut album Ready to Die was released in 1994 and quickly went platinum, and Smalls went on to win Billboard's Rapper of the Year award. Broomfield's film features interviews with the rapper who, contrary to media reports of rivalry with Shakur and the West Coast, seems genuinely reluctant to be drawn into speaking ill of his 'rivals'. He acknowledges the rumours that he had arranged the New York shooting of Tupac, which he denied and stated clearly that he had declined to get involved in any retaliation in order to keep the rivalry from escalating. Subsequently, Biggie was shot and killed following an after-awards-party hosted by Vibe magazine at the Peterson Museum in Los Angeles on 9 th March 1997. To date no-one has been charged with his murder.
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Christopher Wallace Facts
| Also known as | The Notorious B.I.G., aka Biggie Smalls |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Birthplace | Brooklyn, New York, USA |