March 9 will mark 21 years since the world lost Christopher Wallace, aka Biggie Smalls aka The Notorious B.I.G.
Biggie has influenced pop culture and our lives in a myriad of ways and they each contribute to his infinite legacy. The impact he had on hip-hop alone will never be forgotten and his legacy continues to live on today.
In tribute to Black History Month and in honor of Biggie, here are just a few reasons why he'll always go down in history as one of the G.O.A.Ts.
1. He is your favorite rapper's favorite rapper.
Biggie's influence cannot be denied in current hip-hop culture. From subtle lyrical references from rappers like Jay-Z to artists like Diddy outright paying homage, folks everywhere — including the entire Bad Boy crew (Lil' Kim, 112, etc.) — have respect for the talent and influence Biggie possessed.
2. The culture emulated his passion for fashion.
Once Biggie let us know that he "stayed COOGI down to the socks," an entire advertisement campaign for the colorfully eccentric brand was born. Though COOGI was the most famous thanks to that lyric, we also can't forget that Jesus piece, Kangol hat, and his ever-present shades.
3. Art imitates Biggie's art.
Biggie was definitely a true artist and his image alone inspired artists to basically build shrines in honor of his legacy. The beloved Biggie mural by Spread Art in Bed-Stuy was once in danger of being destroyed, but through the power of petitions and fighting back, his fans eventually convinced the building's landlord to leave it alone. And if you want to buy dope art with Biggie's image, we need you to get into Saatchi Art, immediately!
4. Biggie is on your TV screen and movie screen.
Of course, Biggie's existence has been forever honored in film, with biopics Notorious and All Eyez on Me and the upcoming BET TV show chronicling him and Tupac called, Unsolved. Let alone the fact that Biggie's music contributions has colored your favorite movie's favorite scenes from Bad Boys to Superbad. And remember when Pam geeked out when Biggie appeared on that classic episode of Martin? Pam is basically us.
5. Those music videos, tho!
The music video art form should never go unrecognized and that same sentiment certainly applies to Biggie. With the invigorating colors of "Big Poppa" or the larger-than-life "Hypnotize," the highlights of Biggie's music videos are still recreated and referenced to this very day.
6. He kinda took over an entire holiday.
Raise your hand if you always say "the only Christopher we acknowledge is Wallace" whenever the second Monday in October rolls around. Exactly. King Johnson sure does.
7. Quoth the Biggie, forever more.
If we got a dollar every time someone said, "I love it when you call me Big Poppa!" or "And if you don't know, now you know" we'd all be filthy rich. People don't only enthusiastically spit his bars in clubs, yet his lyrics are quoted in everyday life. If that ain't iconic, we don't know what is.
