Fiche Personne
Musique
Notorious B.I.G. (The)
Rappeur/se
États-Unis
Français
Christopher Wallace (21 mai 1972 – 9 mars 1997), connu sous les pseudonymes de Biggie Smalls, Biggie ou surtout The Notorious B.I.G., fut un rappeur américain. Le succès de son premier album (1994), l’image de représentant du rap new-yorkais qu’il acquiert et son assassinat six mois après celui de Tupac Shakur aidèrent à le faire connaître.
English
Christopher George Latore Wallace (May 21, 1972 – March 9, 1997), popularly known as Biggie Smalls (after a fictional gangster in the 1975 film Let’s Do It Again), Frank White (from the 1990 film King of New York), Big Poppa, and his primary stage name, The Notorious B.I.G., was an American rapper.
Raised in Brooklyn, New York, Wallace grew up during the peak years of the 1980s’ crack epidemic and started dealing drugs at an early age. When Wallace released his debut album with the 1994 record Ready to Die, he was a central figure in the East Coast hip-hop scene and increased New York’s visibility at a time when hip hop was mostly dominated by West Coast artists. The following year, Wallace led his childhood friends to chart success through his protégé group, Junior M.A.F.I.A. While recording his second album, Wallace was heavily involved in the East Coast-West Coast hip hop feud, dominating the scene at the time.
On March 9, 1997, Wallace was killed by an unknown assailant in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles. His double-disc set Life After Death, released fifteen days later, hit #1 on the U.S. album charts and was certified Diamond in 2000. Wallace was noted for his « loose, easy flow », dark semi-autobiographical lyrics and storytelling abilities. Since his death, a further three albums have been released. Because of his success and influence on music, he has become a cultural icon.
Raised in Brooklyn, New York, Wallace grew up during the peak years of the 1980s’ crack epidemic and started dealing drugs at an early age. When Wallace released his debut album with the 1994 record Ready to Die, he was a central figure in the East Coast hip-hop scene and increased New York’s visibility at a time when hip hop was mostly dominated by West Coast artists. The following year, Wallace led his childhood friends to chart success through his protégé group, Junior M.A.F.I.A. While recording his second album, Wallace was heavily involved in the East Coast-West Coast hip hop feud, dominating the scene at the time.
On March 9, 1997, Wallace was killed by an unknown assailant in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles. His double-disc set Life After Death, released fifteen days later, hit #1 on the U.S. album charts and was certified Diamond in 2000. Wallace was noted for his « loose, easy flow », dark semi-autobiographical lyrics and storytelling abilities. Since his death, a further three albums have been released. Because of his success and influence on music, he has become a cultural icon.
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