The Notorious B.I.G.
The rapper who was shot and killed in Los Angeles in 1997 was Christopher Wallace, better known as The Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie Smalls. He was one of the most influential figures in hip-hop and is often regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time. Born on May 21, 1972, in Brooklyn, New York, Biggie rose to fame in the early 1990s with his debut album, Ready to Die (1994). His deep voice, intricate wordplay, and vivid storytelling made him a dominant force in East Coast hip-hop.
On March 9, 1997, just weeks before the release of his second album, Life After Death, Biggie was killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles. He was leaving a party at the Petersen Automotive Museum when a vehicle pulled up alongside his SUV and opened fire. He was hit by four bullets and was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at the age of 24.
His murder remains unsolved, and many believe it was linked to the ongoing East Coast-West Coast hip-hop feud, which had already claimed the life of another rap icon, Tupac Shakur, in 1996. The rivalry between Death Row Records (led by Suge Knight) and Bad Boy Records (Biggie’s label, led by Sean “Diddy” Combs) fueled speculation about possible connections between their deaths.
Despite his tragic end, The Notorious B.I.G.’s influence continues to shape hip-hop today. His music, including hits like Juicy, Big Poppa, and Hypnotize, remains timeless, and he is often cited as one of the greatest rappers in history. In 2020, he was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, solidifying his legacy in the music industry.
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