This Day in Black History: May 21, 1972

Hip-hop icon Christopher Wallace, later known as the rapper Notorious B.I.G., was born in Brooklyn, New York.
By Britt Middleton
Posted: 05/21/2012 07:00 AM EDT
Filed Under Sean Combs, Notorious B.I.G., Diddy, Bad Boy, This Day in Black History, National News

Christopher Wallace, who would go on to be known as the rapper Notorious B.I.G, was born in Brooklyn, New York. Known for his semi-autobiographical storytelling and distinct flow, Wallace started rapping as a teenager. He eventually made his recording debut on Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Bad Boy Records in 1994, putting out the now iconic album Ready to Die, which would go on to sell more than four million copies.

 

Wallace’s run-ins with the law and involvement in the East Coast-West Coast hip-hop feud of the mid-'90s would cast a dark shadow over his promising career. Tragically, his life was cut short on March 9, 1997, when he was killed at the age of 24 in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles. His murder remains unsolved. On March 25, 1997, his final album, Life After Death, was released posthumously and hit No. 1 on the Billboard album charts.


BET National News - Keep up to date with breaking news stories from around the nation, including headlines from the hip hop and entertainment world. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.  

Videos You May Like

(Photo: Adger Cowans/Getty Images)

Comments

facebook twitter
rss
Trends
Ben Jealous •Robert Zimmerman Jr. •George Zimmerman •National News •NAACP •Trayvon Martin •Music News •Jaheim •Rick Ross •Ecstasy •crime •MDMA •drugs •drug abuse •Health News •Alicia Keys •nicki minaj •Randy Jackson •American Idol •Mariah Carey •Jennifer Lopez •Miguel •Music Beefs •Serena Williams •Sloane Stephens •Spike Lee •Miami Heat •Pau Gasol •Michelle Obama •Iman Shumpert •

Sports Rewind: Tiger Reaches 300

Plus Spike Lee's sneaky prank, NBA playoff news. 05/09/2013

The Truth About Molly

The drug's reputation in the streets is concerning. 05/09/2013

HBCU Review: Howard University Exec Sued for Using "N" Word

Plus, Sharpton rallies FAMU and more. 05/08/2013

Instagram Photos of the Week: Bow Wow and Angela Simmons...Smooches!

Plus pics from Drake, Frank Ocean and more. 05/10/2013

Out and About: Chris Brown Performs at the WILDJAM

Plus pics of Willow Smith, Rihanna, Toni Braxton and more. 05/10/2013

Celebrity Sex Scandals

Stars who have been caught with their pants down. 05/09/2013

SEARCH

© 2013 BET Interactive, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Black Entertainment Television LLC. All rights reserved.