Few names carry as much weight in hip hop history as The Notorious B.I.G. Decades after his death, fans still search for his age, height, net worth, wife, and children.
Christopher George Latorre Wallace, known as The Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie Smalls, was a Brooklyn storyteller whose voice reshaped East Coast rap. Below is everything worth knowing about his life, career, family, and legacy.
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The Notorious B.I.G. Wiki / Bio
| Attribute | Detail |
| Real Name | Christopher George Latore Wallace |
| Stage Names | The Notorious B.I.G., Biggie Smalls, Big Poppa |
| Born | May 21, 1972, Brooklyn, New York, USA |
| Died | March 9, 1997 (age 24), Los Angeles, California |
| Profession | Rapper, songwriter, record producer |
| Genre | East Coast hip hop, gangsta rap |
| Label | Bad Boy Records |
| Height | Approximately 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) |
| Nationality | American |
The Notorious B.I.G. Real Name
Behind the stage persona was Christopher George Latore Wallace. He picked up the nickname “Big” as a teenager because of his height, and later adopted “Biggie Smalls” before legal issues with an actor of the same name pushed him toward The Notorious B.I.G. instead.
The Notorious B.I.G. Early Life and Education
Christopher was raised in Brooklyn’s Clinton Hill by a single mother after his father left when he was two. He attended Queen of All Saints Middle School before moving to George Westinghouse High School, where his rapping talent first drew attention.
Despite his promise, he left school at seventeen and became increasingly involved in selling drugs, shaped by the crack epidemic gripping New York City in the late 1980s.
The Notorious B.I.G. Parents and Siblings
Biggie’s mother, Voletta Wallace, worked as a preschool teacher and was the primary figure in his upbringing. His father, Selwyn George Latore, was a welder and local politician who left when Christopher was a toddler.
Biggie grew up without full siblings. His mother later became a public advocate for his legacy, appearing in documentaries tied to his memory.
The Notorious B.I.G. Wife and Girlfriend
Biggie married R&B singer Faith Evans in August 1994, months after meeting her at a Bad Boy photo shoot. Their whirlwind romance led to marriage within days, and they stayed together until his death in 1997.
Before Faith, Biggie was with Jan Jackson, with whom he had his first child. He also had a publicized relationship with rapper Lil’ Kim, signed to his group Junior M.A.F.I.A.
The Notorious B.I.G. Children
Biggie became a father twice.
- T’yanna Wallace, born 1993 to Jan Jackson, his first child.
- Christopher Wallace Jr., known as C.J., born October 1996 to Faith Evans, months before Biggie’s death.
Both children have kept his legacy alive as adults. C.J. Wallace has appeared in documentaries and worked on estate projects, while T’yanna has spoken publicly about growing up as his daughter.
The Notorious B.I.G. Age, Weight, Height, and Physical Appearance
Biggie was 24 at the time of his death, born May 21, 1972 and killed March 9, 1997. His height is most commonly listed at around 6 feet 3 inches, though some sources place him at 6 feet 2 inches.
His weight fluctuated throughout his life and remains a frequent topic among fans.
| Life Stage | Approximate Weight |
| High school years | Around 200 lbs (91 kg) |
| Early career | Around 300 lbs (136 kg) |
| Later career | Estimated 380 lbs (172 kg) |
His large frame became part of his identity, referenced constantly in his lyrics. He embraced his size rather than hiding it, turning it into part of his brand.
The Notorious B.I.G. Before Fame
Before signing with Bad Boy Records, Christopher was deeply involved in Brooklyn street life. He began selling drugs around twelve and was arrested multiple times as a teenager, once serving nine months in a North Carolina jail on drug charges.
Music became his way out. A demo tape caught DJ Mister Cee’s attention, who passed it to Sean “Puffy” Combs, then an A&R executive at Uptown Records, a connection that changed his life.
The Notorious B.I.G. and Michael Jackson
Biggie and Michael Jackson never worked together, but both stand among the most influential entertainers of their genres. Fans frequently compare their cultural weight, noting how each transformed the sound of their era.
The Notorious B.I.G. Career
Biggie signed with Bad Boy Records in 1993 after Sean Combs left Uptown Records to launch his own label. His debut single “Party and Bullshit” introduced his sharp, laid back style.
His debut album, Ready to Die, released in September 1994, is widely regarded as one of the greatest hip hop albums ever made, mixing raw street narratives with hits like “Juicy” and “Big Poppa.”
In 1995, he launched Junior M.A.F.I.A., a group of childhood friends including Lil’ Kim, who found chart success under his guidance and helped shape Bad Boy’s sound.
The Notorious B.I.G. Going Back to Cali
“Going Back to Cali,” released in 1997, became one of Biggie’s most talked about tracks because of its timing. Recorded amid rising East Coast and West Coast tension, it showed his ability to cross regional boundaries while still representing Brooklyn.
The Notorious B.I.G. Social Media Presence
Because Biggie died in 1997, before social media existed, he never had personal accounts. Today, his estate manages official pages on Instagram, Facebook, and X to preserve his legacy.
The Notorious B.I.G. Album Cover
The cover art for Ready to Die remains one of the most recognizable images in hip hop, pairing a baby photograph with the album’s dark themes. His posthumous album, Life After Death, used an image of him before a hearse, which took on deeper meaning after his death weeks before release.
The Notorious B.I.G. Net Worth and Achievements
At the time of his death, Biggie’s net worth was estimated at around 10 million dollars, built through record sales, touring, and his clothing line, Brooklyn Mint. His estate’s value has grown since, driven by royalties and licensing deals.
Key achievements:
- Ready to Die (1994) certified multi platinum
- Life After Death (1997) debuted at number one on the Billboard 200
- Ranked among the greatest rappers of all time by major publications
- Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020
The Notorious B.I.G. – Hypnotize
“Hypnotize,” released shortly before his death, became a signature hit and later his only single to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 after being re-released.
The Notorious B.I.G. Legacy and Impact
Biggie’s influence on hip hop is difficult to overstate. His storytelling and effortless flow set a new standard for lyricism, and countless modern rappers cite him as a direct influence.
His legacy extends beyond music into fashion and film, with murals, documentaries, and tribute events keeping his memory alive for fans born after his death.
The Notorious B.I.G. Nationality and Religion
Biggie was American, born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He was raised Catholic by his mother, though his lyrics often reflected the complicated world he grew up navigating.
The Notorious B.I.G. – One More Chance
“One More Chance,” originally on Ready to Die and later remixed with a Diana Ross sample, became one of his biggest commercial hits, pushing him further into mainstream pop culture while keeping his street credibility.
The Notorious B.I.G. Future Plan and Goals
Before his death, Biggie was reportedly working on expanding Junior M.A.F.I.A., growing Brooklyn Mint, and preparing the release of Life After Death. He had also spoken about wanting to produce for other artists and mentor younger talent.
The Notorious B.I.G. Songs Lists
His most recognized tracks:
- Juicy
- Big Poppa
- Hypnotize
- One More Chance
- Notorious Thugs
- Going Back to Cali
- Mo Money Mo Problems
- Who Shot Ya?
The Notorious B.I.G. – Notorious Thugs
Featuring Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, “Notorious Thugs” is often praised as proof of Biggie’s versatility, since he adjusted his cadence to match the group’s rapid fire flow while sounding completely natural.
The Notorious B.I.G. – Juicy
“Juicy” is widely considered his signature song, an autobiographical track detailing his rise from poverty to success. Its opening line remains one of the most quoted in hip hop.
The Notorious B.I.G. Shirt
Biggie inspired merchandise remains popular today, with his image and album covers appearing on t-shirts sold through his official estate store and licensed retailers.
The Notorious B.I.G. Hobbies
Outside of music, Biggie enjoyed writing rhymes constantly, filling notebooks with lyrics before recording contracts existed. He also enjoyed cooking, spending time with close friends, and mentoring younger artists at Bad Boy Records and Junior M.A.F.I.A.
The Notorious B.I.G. Favorite Things
| Category | Detail |
| Favorite City | Brooklyn, New York |
| Favorite Collaborators | Sean Combs, Lil’ Kim, Junior M.A.F.I.A. |
| Musical Influences | Slick Rick, Big Daddy Kane, Rakim |
| Known Style | Sharp suits, oversized clothing, iconic Coogi sweaters |
The Notorious B.I.G. Greatest Hits
His greatest hits compilation, released posthumously, brought his biggest singles into one collection, remaining a popular entry point for new listeners.
The Notorious B.I.G. Hypnotize
Beyond its chart success, “Hypnotize” is often cited as one of the smoothest tracks in his catalog, blending a Herb Alpert sample with effortless delivery.
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The Notorious B.I.G. Interesting Facts
- He weighed over 200 pounds in high school, earning him the nickname “Big.”
- His first stage name before Biggie Smalls was MC Cwest.
- He appeared on television in the crime drama series New York Undercover.
- He launched his own clothing brand, Brooklyn Mint, in 1996.
- The FBI later released details of items found in his pockets the night he died, including a Georgia driver’s license and asthma inhaler.
The Notorious B.I.G. Cause of Death
Biggie was killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles in the early hours of March 9, 1997, shortly after leaving a party at the Petersen Automotive Museum. He was struck multiple times while seated in an SUV’s passenger seat and rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead soon after. His murder remains officially unsolved.
FAQs
How many times was Biggie shot?
Biggie was struck by four bullets in the drive-by shooting, with one fatally piercing his heart.
Why did Tupac blame Biggie?
Tupac believed Biggie and Sean Combs had prior knowledge of his 1994 shooting, a claim Biggie always denied.
Who paid for the Notorious B.I.G. funeral?
Reports conflict, with some claiming Bad Boy Records covered it and others alleging costs were billed to his estate.
What happened to Notorious BIG?
He was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles on March 9, 1997, at age 24.
Did Biggie cry when 2Pac died?
Friends have described Biggie as visibly shaken and emotional after hearing news of Tupac’s death.
Did Diddy ever pay Biggie?
Biggie reportedly earned little from Ready to Die’s early sales, though he later profited from his contract and touring.
How much did Biggie Smalls weigh?
His weight is generally estimated between 300 and 380 pounds in the later years of his career.
Final Word
The Notorious B.I.G.’s story is one of talent overcoming hardship, cut short far too early but never forgotten. From his Brooklyn upbringing to his rise as one of hip hop’s most respected voices, his music and legacy continue shaping culture nearly three decades later.
Whether discovering his catalog for the first time or revisiting it as a longtime fan, Biggie’s influence remains permanent in hip hop history.
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