The murder of rapper Christopher Wallace, also known as The Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie Smalls, remains unsolved.
Biggie Smalls was fatally shot on March 9, 1997, in Los Angeles, California, while he was leaving a party. Despite numerous investigations and theories over the years, no one has been officially charged or convicted for his murder. The case remains open and continues to be investigated by law enforcement.
What happened to Biggie?
The shooting of The Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie Smalls occurred at around 12:45 am on March 9, 1997. He was leaving a music industry party at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles with his entourage, which included Sean "Puffy" Combs, his bodyguards, and friends.
As Biggie's vehicle stopped at a red light on Wilshire Boulevard, a Chevrolet Impala SS pulled up alongside it. The driver of the Impala, who was wearing a suit and a bow tie, rolled down his window and fired several shots into the passenger side of the SUV. Biggie was struck four times, with one bullet piercing his heart and two others hitting his left lung and liver. The other bullets grazed his forearm and thigh.
The driver of the SUV, Sean "Puffy" Combs, and the other passengers were unharmed. They immediately drove Biggie to the nearby Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead less than an hour later. The case was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department and the FBI, but no one has been officially charged or convicted for the murder. Several theories and conspiracy theories have emerged over the years, involving rival rap artists, gang members, and even corrupt police officers, but the case remains unsolved to this day.
Who are the suspects so far?
The investigation into the murder of The Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie Smalls has produced several suspects and theories over the years, but no one has been officially charged or convicted for the crime. Here are some of the suspects that have been named:
Suge Knight: The co-founder of Death Row Records, Suge Knight, has been one of the main suspects in the case. He was a rival of Biggie and his label, Bad Boy Records, and was also present at the Petersen Automotive Museum on the night of the shooting. However, he has denied any involvement in the murder.
Amir Muhammad (also known as Harry Billups): A former Nation of Islam member and a convicted bank robber, Amir Muhammad was identified as a suspect in the case in a 2011 book by retired LAPD detective Greg Kading. According to Kading's theory, Muhammad was hired by Suge Knight to carry out the shooting.
LAPD officers: There have been allegations of police corruption and involvement in the murder of Biggie Smalls. Some theories suggest that corrupt LAPD officers were involved in the shooting, possibly as retaliation for Biggie's supposed ties to the Bloods gang.
Gang members: Some theories suggest that the murder was a result of a feud between rival gangs, such as the Bloods and Crips.
East Coast-West Coast rivalry: The feud between East Coast and West Coast rappers, including Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur, was well-documented. Some theories suggest that the murder of Biggie Smalls was a result of this rivalry.
Despite these theories and suspects, no one has been officially charged or convicted for the murder of Biggie Smalls, and the case remains unsolved.
What is Biggie Smalls famous for?
The Notorious B.I.G., also known as Biggie Smalls, was a famous American rapper and songwriter. He is considered one of the most influential and acclaimed rappers in the history of hip-hop music. He was born Christopher Wallace on May 21, 1972, in Brooklyn, New York, and began his music career in the early 1990s.
Biggie Smalls is famous for his unique rapping style and lyrical content, which often dealt with themes of street life, crime, and poverty. He released his debut album, "Ready to Die," in 1994, which was a critical and commercial success. The album was certified quadruple platinum and included hits such as "Juicy," "Big Poppa," and "One More Chance."
Biggie Smalls continued to release successful albums and singles throughout the 1990s, including "Life After Death," which was released just two weeks after his death and became one of the best-selling hip-hop albums of all time. His music had a significant impact on the genre of hip-hop and influenced many artists who followed in his footsteps.
Despite his relatively short career, Biggie Smalls is regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.