Notorious B.I.G – 13 Thoughts, 13 Years On

It’s been 13 years since Christopher Wallace was cut down in his prime. Those who know me know of my bizarre (yet valid) fascination/connection with the number thirteen and know where I’m going. But because I want to get back to my own musical Biggie tribute, I’m letting the readers off the hook from my long-windedness – but not without informing you that this could easily be a multiple page article in mere minutes. There are so many angles I can attack from, where do I begin? The fact that I can’t even express a fraction of what I’m feeling inside right now should give some indication as to how much of an impact the life of the Notorious B.I.G had on mine…

As a student of the art of emceeing, a fan and a man of the same ancestry, I’m still sad that one of the loudest voices and brightest flames Hip Hop will ever see was extinguished before he had a chance to peak. I wasn’t shocked when it happened, I was hurt that it could only have happened that way. The sadder part is that if you listen to interviews, nobody was shocked less than Christopher himself.

Being such a close watcher of the culture over the years (before and) since his passing, I can’t tell you how the game would be different if he were still alive. All I really know is the music has never fully recovered – and as a lifelong follower of Hip Hop in my heart I know for a fact it never will.

That void is bigger than Jigga’s contribution (a good part of which consisted of Biggie’s lyrics – but we won’t have that debate today…) and it’s a travesty that the younger generation has no idea what a vital piece is missing today. Aside from a few bright spots (Drake, Jay Electronica, a hungry Kanye), true skills don’t even matter anymore in mainstream music. So I don’t even bother listening anymore. To quote the man, “I see the gimmicks, the wack lyrics, the shit is depressing, pathetic, please forget it”.

I was in my teens when Biggie was murdered, now today I’m old and bitter. Microwave music, McSongs, and ringtone rappers have soured me on most of the music of “oh ten”. I’m not sour to the point where I like to think about what could have been had B.I.G (and Pac) had never been killed anymore. Speaking as someone who was cultivated during the “golden age” of Hip Hop, I’ve taken our parents approach to music. We have to accept that Biggie lived, made his (positive and negative) contribution and owned his moment in time but destiny called and his time was up. Who knows what he would be now, it’s a waste of time to wonder because there’s no right answer.

So I’m going keep it 13 since that’s all I can do when I’m overwhelmed. On this anniversary I offer 13 thoughts of 13 words about the Notorious B.I.G:

Chubb Rock was Biggie Smalls before Christopher Wallace ever picked up a mic
The children who were in first grade in 97 are college freshmen now.
Blood is on the hands of those who used beef to sell magazines
On the road to riches and diamond rings, real niggas do real things
Rap music today is a poor imitation of what Biggie did years ago
“Flavor in your ear” remix was an emcee battle between Biggie and Craig
Biggie Smalls the character and Christopher Wallace the human being could not coexist
The movie “Notorious” should have been named ” Shameless Money Grab” I hated it
Knowing who shot Biggie won’t bring him back so how is closure attained?
Guerilla Black and Shyne are lying about not trying to sound like Biggie
Thirteen years later I’m still trying to figure out what Biggie’s legacy is
Tupac and Biggie were two types of emcee, it’s not fair to compare
If you want to get away with murder then go kill a rapper

–Marcus Garvey Lite

SoulCulture

2010.03.09

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lennybear33 (leonard siggers)

2010.03.09

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RealDownToMars (Marsha Gosho Oakes)

2010.03.10

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soulculture (SoulCulture.co.uk)

2010.03.10

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2010.03.10

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rik_88 (Rik Spruijt)

2010.03.10

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RT @PetePhilly: RT @@SoulCulture: Notorious B.I.G – 13 Thoughts, 13 Years On: [link to post] < Dope stukkie!

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StevenRKIG (Steven Gilbers)

2010.03.10

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Tola Ositelu

2010.03.10

Speaking as a non-Hip Hop aficionado, as much as I respect Biggie’s undeniable skills as a lyricist, he hardly used his craft in any positive or uplifting way. His subject matter consisted of ersatz-tales of drug selling shenanigans and whoring around. What’s more he was a crap husband and (although not the only one guilty in a predominantly sexist genre) incredibly misogynistic. Whether the tales are true that his rap persona was different from the man in real life doesn’t really matter. Anyone willing to put out such a shallow, dissolute and profligate image doesn’t deserve to be hailed as a hero in my book. In a world that has given us Steve Bikos, Mother Teresas, Mandelas and Martin Luther Kings surely our criteria of what makes a hero should be a bit more discerning?

It’s a shame for anyone to come to a violent end, however.

Shalom x

Reply
1. Marcus Garvey Lite
  
  2010.03.10
  
  Tola I agree with a lot of what you said. The thing is, you can’t factor in a person’s private persona or ability to be a good husband in with the music. Nobody is saying Big was a hero, I’ve never heard him called that and I hope that’s not what you got from the article. When you evaluate a person’s ability in most professions, their home life and personality usually aren’t an issue. Michael Jordan was a “shit husband” and never took a stand on anything that didn’t involve selling Nikes. Does that mean he isn’t the best to ever play the game of basketball? The same can be said about Dr King and Mandela, they were both bad husbands but the general public never factors that in to their positive contributions. Regardless of what type of person Christopher Wallace was, you can’t argue with talent. He was special
  
  Reply
  1. Tola Ositelu
    
    2010.03.10
    
    Thanks Marcus.
    
    The Mandela marital story is more complicated than ascertained in your post. Anyway, not to digress, my comment was not just about Biggie’s domestic life. I am aware that even those I consider great artists often have a darker side as do we all and I’ve long learned to separate art from personal virtue-or at least try to distinguish the two.
    
    You seemed to get hung up on the one thing I said about him being a bad husband and bypassed the rest of what I mentioned which was really the point and that Vanessa got straightaway. I raised the marriage matter to illustrate the wider issue that Biggie was not a man of integrity; the lack thereof seemed to dominate not just his personal life but his music. I never once heard anything of his that was nearly positive or inspirational. Just because someone is talented it doesn’t mean that everything they do is put to good use and has a beneficial outcome. The ends are just as important as the means. ‘The Sky is the Limit’ is the closest thing to an upbeat message and he’s still talking about being a master drug lord. At least some artists mix it up a bit.
    
    But to his credit, if he didn’t have anything ethical to say or live by at least he wasn’t hypocritical to pretend otherwise.
    
    By the way I’ve heard too many references to Biggie as a hero. I once even heard someone say that he’s referred to as ‘a god’ by some New Yorkens.
    
    As for ‘arguing’ with talent, for the umpteenth time I have clearly stated that I am not doing that. This might have been one ‘special’ aspect about him but I don’t see why that should override the fact he didn’t use it in a good way and the glaring flaws in his artistry. As we’ve agreed we shouldn’t equate a person’s gifts with virtue. For all their faults at least the MLK’s and Mandelas did more for the greater good of humanity through their struggles than anything achieved by Biggie in his music. He’s not Marvin, Paul Simon, Stevie, MJ or even Bob Dylan who are some examples of artists using their music as vehicles for change. Heck, as I said even Tupac was way ahead on that score.
    
    To be fair Notorious wasn’t the only one guilty of this but as is often the case the famous tend to be deified in death by fans and a rose-tinted gloss put on things. But your piece is more balanced than it might have been I must give you that. I appreciate you’re passionate about his work. I’m sure there are artists I admire people could pick apart even though I do endeavour to listen to music with substance.
    
    Sorry for the treatise, it’s just it’s the first opportunity I’ve had to voice this in a public forum after years of hearing Biggie spoken of in hallowed terms and not feeling comfortable about it in the least.
    
    Shalom x
    
    Reply
    1. Marcus Garvey Lite
      
      2010.03.12
      
      There’s so much here, I have no clue where to begin or if I have time. I definitely appreciate the conversation, no apology needed, just vent it’s good for you. In fact I’d love to just chat with you, I’ve learned a lot already.
      
      I’ve always wrestled with a bit of guilt when I think about how much I enjoy listening to Biggie’s music because of the way I was raised. Without giving away too much about my childhood, the name on my birth records and driver’s license says “Marcus Garvey” so everything Big stood for and rhymed about was a contradiction to what my mother tried to instill in me as well as my sister. It irritates me (as it does you) to no end when people tend to romanticize him rather than take him at face value. He was a drug dealer who was nasty on the mic, but he changed the genre drastically for better or worse. That’s it in a nutshell. However I disagree about your stance on his content. Yes the majority of what he spoke of were despicable tales of a man who basically didn’t give a F about anything but making money (that’s what sold so that’s what he did). The first time I heard Biggie rhyme it was on a track called “Jam Session” and he talked about nothing but playing basketball, but he did it in a way that hooked me. Then on Supercat’s “Dolly My Baby” remix he wasn’t spewing his drug talk, so content had nothing to do with why I (a lot of people) liked him initially, it was mostly his voice. “Ready to Die” was real hood but laced with jewels, they just weren’t delivered in a preachy manner. If you take a listen to “Things Done Changed”, he’s reflecting on what things were like before the youth got crazy. He’s warning you that ghetto life doesn’t offer many options for young black men (Cuz the streets is a short stop/Either you slingin crack rock/ or you got a wicked jump shot). He justifies his dirty ways with lines like “my mom got cancer in her breast/dont ask me why im mothafuckin stressed”. After walking you through the ups and downs of his lifestyle the record ends with “Suicidal Thoughts” where he reaches the conclusion that he is contributing nothing but pain to his loved ones (and society) and he kills himself. His whole life is a cautionary tale and his music was the soundtrack. Sure there’s no “Keep Your Head Up” or “Fight the Power” but like most good knowledge we receive you have to sift through the rubbish in order to get to it.
      
      I’m passionate about Biggie’s work because I followed his career from the “Unsigned Hype” article in the Source in 1992 to his tragic end, it was better than cinema. He has a special place in my heart because in my formative years he was what we listened to, he was what was hot and we studied him. I was spending my summers in New York during the Death Row dominance, then after Biggie hit the whole vibe in the city changed for the better. Who does that? It was amazing. The man was great at what he did and his impact was even greater than his talent. However I don’t want the readers to think Big was my favorite emcee because he isn’t. I admired his skills and enjoy his music but to be candid he isn’t even the best to come out of Brooklyn (and neither is Jay-Z). Maybe I’ll write about that next time.
      
      Reply
Vanessa

2010.03.10

What made Biggie so great is not the depth and meaning of his lyrical content. Because you’re right he spoke about drugs, money and violence (and no way am I defending it and saying it’s a good thing – because it’s not) but unfortunately that was kind of where (mainstream) hip-hop was at the time. Rap was still relatively in its early successful days, so lyrically, the more ‘gangster style’ rappers were the ones making the mainstream money as oppose to the more conscious rappers (it was the mid-nineties). Of course the rappers knew the more they talk about their violent upbringing and drug selling days, the more middle America (and the rest of the world) are going to buy into it).

I grew up in a very non-violent area in England and was a huge Biggie fan at 12/13 years old. I couldn’t relate to the stuff he was talking about (obviously), but his flow and play on words was amazing and at that early age I could still enjoy it. For me the violence in the lyrics was no difference to when I watched IT or Scarface. But of course the Big/Pac case was slightly different, because life actually imitated art.

I’m not gonna try and defend his explicit lyrics, because ultimately I know it’s a battle I wont win (and rightly so… I guess lol), but I will say he is one of (if not) the best rhymer we’ve ever seen in the Hip-hop world. I’m a huge HipHop fan and the way he flows and delivers his bars is on a different level to most rappers. And to this day, 13 years after his passing, no other rapper has eclipsed him in that department.

Jay-Z is 40 and its only now we see him as this ‘Rap Legend’ – but you gotta remember when he was 28 he was rapping about “Money Cash hoes”. He got the chance to develope into this great artist. BIG was only 24 when he died and look at the amount of great music he put out in that short amount of time. I can only imagine how great he would’ve been if he got the chance to mature. With age, experience and maturity, I’m sure he would have had a lot more deeper lyrics and with his impeccable flow, I’m sure that would have sounded ridiculously amazing. If you look at the early footage of Snoop and him now, he’s changed in a big way. How you are in your mid-twenties is completely different to how you are in your mid-thirties.

Unfortunately Biggie never got the chance to see his 25th birthday, but the impact he’s had on HipHop is bigger and more influential than what most rappers can do in a lifetime. I play BIGs music today and it still doesn’t sound old or out-of-date. His flow, delivery and sound is still better than most rappers of today, even the ones that have really had many years to craft their skill. And for me, that’s what makes him the greatest MC.

Reply
1. Tola Ositelu
  
  2010.03.10
  
  Thanks Vanessa. It’s good to get the perspective of someone who is a rap fan.
  
  I can’t fault Biggie’s ability as I believe I established in my first post. Nonetheless substance will always trump style for me. As for Jay-Z and Snoop,they’ve matured in years but as far as I’m aware they are still spouting the same old puerile, superficial tripe they always have, albeit in an occasionally entertaining and, in Jay-Z’s case, dexterous way.
  
  My point is eloquent rubbish no matter how exquisitely delivered is still rubbish. I don’t think Biggie’s content had anything to do with age as we have established with Jay Z and Snoop. People get older but not always wiser. Tupac was also killed when he was very young and with all his faults he at least had the decency once in a while to put out stuff with a social conscience. For that reason alone I feel his loss is a sadder one.
  
  I think one of the reasons I don’t consider myself a Hip Hop fan is the way the genre is so ready to divorce content from form. It’s as if anything goes as long as you say it well. I know not all music is ‘pure’ in that sense-neither is any art for that matter-and I can think of quite a few R&B/soul singers who are incredibly good at making the facile sound profound (Amy Winehouse comes to mind) but there are bigger culprits than others and Rap has more than its fair share.
  
  Shalom x
  
  Reply
  1. Vanessa
    
    2010.03.10
    
    I couldn’t argue with your point even if I tried, so I won’t. You’re totally right that HipHop too often divorces content from form. I personally hate the N word used in everyday speaking sentences, but in rap lyrics I find it ‘acceptable’ – sad but true.
    
    And although I find a lot of the content in rap songs slightly juvenile (considering a lot of these rappers are in fact in their thirties), it doesn’t make me like HipHop any less. I’m just being honest.
    
    Xx
    
    Reply
Tiffanie

2010.03.10

“Rap music today is a poor imitation of what Biggie did years ago”

Very True…I find that I don’t listen to alot of rappers anymore…or rap at all.

Anyway, thanks for sharing with me!…I’m always a fan of feelings and thoughts =)

LOVE YOU!

Reply
grim slim

2010.03.11

at the end of the day the money part is all a game, the art part is real. His real life was taken by the game. and the biggest contribution? Was it the Legend, or will it be the Lessons? I bet you could come up with 13 cautionary do’s and don’ts from the Biggie\Tupac epic, but that’s a story for another time.

Reply
1. Marcus Garvey Lite
  
  2010.03.12
  
  Contrary to what Mrs Wallace says about how her son would be alive today if it weren’t for hip-hop. I think he would’ve been killed or jailed years before he contributed anything resembling a legacy. If anything, hip-hop gave him a voice. Without it he would’ve been just a number. I doubt I could come up with 13 cautionary do’s and don’ts regarding those two. There’s only one do that would’ve resulted in them still being alive. Watch the company you keep
  
  Reply
  1. Moniece
    
    2010.03.18
    
    As you my know, Marcus. I love Biggie’s music. Still to this day I have his CD’s one in the house and one in the car. True riding music.
    
    As he quoted ” I swear to God I feel like death is fucking calling me”. No, you don’t understand. As we all should know, what we do in the dark will always come to light. Nevertheless, his contribution to this rap game was and still is the best rapper if all times. In my opinion, Jay Z would not be where he is without Biggie.
    
    Reply
    1. Marcus Garvey Lite
      
      2010.03.18
      
      I can’t say Jay wouldn’t be where he is today without him, well I can say it but I don’t want to. I will admit that having his endorsement helped, a whole lot. Borrowing his lyrics didn’t hurt either, but from my vantage point I’m willing to chalk it up more paying homage to his fallen friend than bitin’.
      
      I can’t say Biggie is the best for a few reasons. First there are less celebrated, less decorated emcees who never had the hype machine and sample clearances he was lucky to get. The beats from his classics weren’t much more than dropping the needle on hits from the 80s. Nobody who really follows the game closely will tell you that he did more for the art of emceeing than Rakim, or he had more talent than an L-Boogie or Mos Def (although I listen to Biggie more than both of them). Also Biggie died at the height of his popularity so he didn’t have a chance to cool off. He had two classic albums and then he was gone. If Mike Tyson had gotten killed before fighting Buster Douglas, you’d have a hard time arguing that he wasn’t the greatest boxer of all time.
      
      I’m not going to rank rappers with a number, but in terms of all around ability I put Biggie somewhere close to Kool G. Rap and Scarface. As for entertainment, I put him up there with anyone
      
      Reply

Notorious B.I.G – 13 Thoughts, 13 Years On

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