The Notorious B.I.G. Biography

Fast Facts

• His debut album "Ready To Die," which was an account of his transition from crime to music, went platinum, with the song "Big Poppa" being named Billboard's rap single of the year
• Was voted Best New Artist, Best Live Performer, and Lyricist of the Year by the Source in 1994
• Began making music as a teenager, rapping with the Old Gold Brothers crew under the name Biggie Smalls
• A tape of his music was heard by an editor at the Source, a hip hop magazine, who featured him in their "Unsigned Hype" column, where he caught the attention of Sean Combs of Bad Boy Entertainment
• Some of his first guest spots included Mary J․ Blige's "Real Love" and Supercat's "Dolly My Baby․"
• Quote: "I bring the problems․․․that I've been through in my life into my music․ 'You're Nobody ('Til Somebody Kills You)' is my favorite track․ I like what the hook is saying․ It brings to mind the expression 'You'll miss me when I'm gone․'"
• Best known as a rapper whose songs have appeared in numerous films and TV series
• Made a guest appearance on Michael Jackson's "HIStory - Past, Present and Future Book 1․"
• Was killed only six months after his musical rival Tupac Shakur, to whom he had dedicated the song "You're Nobody ('Til Somebody Kills You)" on his latest album "Life After Death․"