During a pre-recorded HBO special that aired Saturday, The Notorious B.I.G. (real name Christopher Wallace) was the only rapper to get inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jay-Z and “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda spoke on behalf of one of the greatest rappers of all time.
Known as Biggie Smalls or Biggie during his time, the rapper was murdered at the age of 24 years old. He was shot only 6 months after his friend and rapper Tupac Shakur was murdered, and there’s speculation that the killings were connected.
Primally, Big started rapping around the age of 10 with his friends Sam Hubert and Mike Bynum. Hubert and Biggie met in daycare, and he became Biggie’s DJ.
Biggie’s Style
His plummy, wheezy, and deep voice is like no other, and he really sings through his chest. Jazz saxophonist Donald Harrison taught Biggie diction and phrasing while he lived in Brooklyn.
Although he dropped out of school after his freshman year and reportedly started selling drugs, he kept rapping and was seen on street corners free-styling. His unique style and flow were noticed from the beginning, and he’s still one of the most emulated and biggest-selling rappers today.
Watch his free-style below.
Biggie’s Albums
On the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame website, they explained how Smalls “prophesied his short but impactful career with albums “Ready to Die” and “Life After Death” – two of hip-hop’s most influential albums.”
Within his two albums, Big tells true stories in some of his tracks. In others, he spins tales of street lore that are shown in lots of rap. They include violence, guns, and drugs. Big was truly a legend, and the rap industry could be a lot different if he was still here with us.
Other music icons that were inducted include Whitney Houston, the Doobie Brothers, and Nine Inch Nails.
Kristen Fessler| IG: @kristenfess | Twitter: @kristenfessler