Christopher Wallace, best known as The Notorious B.I.G., Biggie Smalls, or simply Biggie, was a groundbreaking American rapper from Brooklyn, New York. Emerging in the early 1990s, he became a central figure in East Coast hip-hop with his distinctive, laidback flow and raw, autobiographical lyrics that explored themes of struggle, crime, and celebration. Biggie's debut album, Ready to Die, introduced classics like Juicy and Big Poppa, revitalizing East Coast rap during a period dominated by West Coast artists. As the first artist signed to Sean "Puffy" Combs’s Bad Boy Records, Biggie quickly rose to fame, collaborating with artists such as Lil' Kim and leading Junior M.A.F.I.A. He played a key role in the infamous East Coast–West Coast rivalry of the era. In 1997, just as his influence peaked, Biggie was tragically killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles. His second album, Life After Death, released posthumously, became a hip-hop milestone with hits like Hypnotize and Mo Money Mo Problems. With over 28 million records sold in the United States and numerous accolades, including inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Biggie is widely recognized as one of the greatest rappers of all time.