Almanac of Story Tellers: The Notorious B.I.G.

Every day brings a new story.  And each day contributes to the art of story telling -- in prose and poetry, in music, on the stage, on the screen, and, of course, in books. 

Today is the story of May 21st

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     It is the 141st day of the year, leaving 224 days remaining in 2022.

    On this date in 1972, the rapper The Notorious B.I.G. was born in Brooklyn.

    Also known as Biggie Smalls, or more simply Biggie, he was born as Christopher George Wallace. 

    His told his stories in rap, and he was one of the premier and most popular rappers of his time.

     His influence continues to this day. He is often credited with saving East Coast rap at a time its significance was seen as being outdone by rappers on the West Coast.

    Biggie created or used various styles in his music, including gangsta rap, and themes that told about dealing and using drugs, and growing up amidst street crime and poverty. He also wrote about love and romance, with Rolling Stone saying he was one of the few males of his era who was able to write credible love songs.

    His first album, Ready to Die, was released in 1994 to acclaim and rave reviews. He was praised for telling the story of his youth in language that connected with other young Black men and fans of hip-hop. One critic said his rap had a "loose, easy flow," and he had a talent for piling multiple rhymes on top of each other in quick succession.

    His rapping was distinctive and often laid-back, in contrast to the otherwise powerful yet  sometimes dark content of his lyrics.

    All of Biggie's other albums were released after his death, which came in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles in 1997. The shooting has never been solved.

    His second album, Live After Death, was released shortly after he was killed. Two more albums since have been released. Indeed, on May 20, a new track, titled G.O.A.T., was released. In addition to Biggie's music, it features Ty Dolla $ign and Nigerian singer Bella Alubo.  

    In addition to numerous Grammy, MTV, and Hip-Hop awards, Biggie was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.