Rap-Up.com || Remembering the Notorious B.I.G.: 15 Years Later

Fifteen years ago today hip-hop lost one of its greats when the Notorious B.I.G. was tragically murdered in Los Angeles at the age of 24. Fans across the world still mourn his loss and celebrate his legacy as one of the greatest lyricists of all time. With his laid-back flow and remarkable gift of wordplay, Christopher Wallace translated his life as a drug dealer in Brooklyn into often dark, but vivid anthems, inviting listeners to share in his experiences from the streets while entertaining with his whip-smart rhymes.

On the 15th anniversary of his death, Rap-Up.com looks back on his legendary career with five classic videos. We’ll always love Big Poppa.

“Juicy” (1994)

Revered as one of his best singles, “Juicy” represented the everyman struggle and eventually managing to overcome it. Its video portrayed B.I.G.’s rise to the top, from looking back on his one-room shack to giving interviews poolside.

“Big Poppa” (1995)

Biggie celebrated one of his most successful singles by throwing a killer house party in the video for “Big Poppa.” Bathed in a red light, guests including Mary J. Blige, Puff Daddy, and more toasted to the good life while sipping champagne and laying up in the Jacuzzi.

“One More Chance (Remix)” (1995)

Brooklyn was represented in the Hype Williams-directed video for “One More Chance.” The house party featured Puff tickling the ivories, Heavy D taming the crowd outside, and singers like Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Aaliyah, and Total singing the hook.

“Hypnotize” (1997)

Bad Boy helped usher in the shiny suit era with the cinematic video for “Hypnotize,” a lavish mini-movie where Puff and Biggie got run down by helicopters that trailed their yacht. The chase heated up on land where the duo sped away from a gang of motorcyclists and ended up in the confines of their home, where they partied in style.

“Sky’s the Limit” (1997)

As one of the few tracks to get the visual treatment following his death in 1997, “Sky’s the Limit” found a way to make Big little. Director Spike Jonze cast a handful of children to portray him, Puffy, Lil’ Kim, and Busta Rhymes, showing the adolescent crew lounging around a mansion and living the high life.

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23 Comments

City
March 9th, 2012 at 7:46 am
I’M SORRY BUT I JUST DONT SEE HOW SUM1 WHO PUT OUT 1 ALBUM B4 THEY DIED CAN BE CONSIDERED A LEGEND..HE AINT EVEN LIVE 2 GET 2 WITNESS HIS FULL POTENTIAL..I DO UNDERSTAND THAT READY 2 DIE IS STILL 2 THIS DAY 1 OF THE BEST HIP HOP ALBUMS EVER, BUT I JUST DONT CONSIDER B.I.G. 2 BE A LEGEND HE JUST DIED 2 SOON…HE WAS GOOD AND ALL BUT I THINK THAT WORD LEGEND GETS USED 2 LOOSELY THESE DAYS….NO SHADE (JUST MY OPINION)

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uhuh Reply:
March 9th, 2012 at 8:24 am
@City, stfu

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Sydney Reply:
March 9th, 2012 at 9:26 am
@City, Go to wikipédia. it’s too long to show you why BIG is a legend it’s because of is influenced in general on rap like 2pac, Nas, Dr Dre,Snoop Dogg.

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Lauryn Reply:
March 9th, 2012 at 8:32 am
@City,

Aye B-tch. Lauyrn Has 1 Album What The F_ck Is She? He Did 2 Albums & His Lyrical Impact Steps On All These Fools (i.e Drake & Lil Wayne etc.)! Speak When Spoken To Fool… Know Real Music & Stop Conforming To These Chart Loving Artist’s.

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Miles Reply:
March 9th, 2012 at 8:38 am
@City, He is still A legend. his one album he put out before dying is considered one of the best hip hop albums of all time. if it wasn’t for his one album some of the people that you probably consider a legend would not have multiple albums

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Truth Reply:
March 9th, 2012 at 8:59 am
@City, B.I.G’s first album made more of an impact than an artist would make by releasing 5 or more albums. Ready To Die is arguably the Greatest Hip Hop Album of All Time.

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Songstress Reply:
March 9th, 2012 at 9:01 am
@City, PLEEAAASSSEEEE STFU !If you read the history books CLEARLY that ONE album put him in them!

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:O youMADstayMAD Reply:
March 9th, 2012 at 9:14 am
@City, sorry but i have to AGREE!

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Kev
March 9th, 2012 at 7:58 am
He put out 2 albums dummy.. Ready to die and Life After Death both classics! And quit typing in all caps u look dumb

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Miles Reply:
March 9th, 2012 at 8:39 am
@Kev, Life After Death came out after he died

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Truth Reply:
March 9th, 2012 at 9:03 am
@Miles, it doesnt matter Life After Death was already completed months before he passed. It came out 2 weeks after he died. Both albums are classics

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Replay
March 9th, 2012 at 8:04 am
Remember the King Tupac!

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Deya
March 9th, 2012 at 8:09 am
Brooklyn ‘s finest ! R.I.P Biggie.

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tiago
March 9th, 2012 at 8:28 am
No words, He’s a master of Hip Hop.

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Matthew Fridrich
March 9th, 2012 at 8:54 am
The comment by City just shows how dumb people are these days lol. Biggie is one of the greatest rappers to ever live whether you like it or not. He has two classic albums not just one. He is an inspiration to some of the best rappers alive today like Jay-Z, Eminem and more. He changed the face of hip hop just like Tupac Shakur did. Their will never be another Biggie Smalls just like Tupac Shakur. Their deaths hurt the rap industry a lot. They lost two of the most lyrical rappers ever and best selling rappers. He’s a legend that never got a chance to show his full potential.

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ter-ese Reply:
March 12th, 2012 at 3:22 am
@Matthew Fridrich, i agree with u totally. never mind what timberland said recently that he thinks rick ross is the new BIG.i think timberland lost his senses when he said that, probably he was under the influence coke or something. rappers can try but their will never be another Biggie Smalls just like Tupac Shakur.thats just it.

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victor .. RaUll
March 9th, 2012 at 9:00 am
miss him (master) but we know that Tupac is ALIVE ……….. :P prove me the contrary ….

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Piratus Reply:
March 9th, 2012 at 10:11 am
@victor .. RaUll, Pac couldn’t be quiet for so long

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Songstress
March 9th, 2012 at 9:03 am
Damn… I remember this day so vividly and it’s already been 15yrs! R.I.P to Biggie…one of THE greatest Hip Hop (NOT RAP) artists ever…we miss this kind of music !

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Thug
March 9th, 2012 at 9:05 am
“First off f**k your bi**h and the clique you claim Westside when we ride come equipped with game.You claim to be a player but i f**ked your wife we bust on badboys Ni**as f**k 4-life” THUG-LIFE

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victor .. RaUll
March 11th, 2012 at 3:11 pm
with money enough to get the good hiding .. Piratus Reply ….

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victor .. RaUll
March 11th, 2012 at 3:17 pm
Youtube does not mind :@

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looper148
July 14th, 2012 at 6:41 am
RIP Biggie. Gone, but never forgotten. And that’s why he’s a legend. Assholes.

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