Biggie Smalls didn’t just make music — he became a symbol of an era’s rawest tensions. The Notorious B.I.G. was just 24 years old when he was gunned down in Los Angeles on March 9, 1997, a killing that remains officially unsolved. His feud with Tupac Shakur and the East Coast–West Coast rivalry that defined 1990s hip-hop continue to fascinate and frustrate fans. This article lays out the confirmed facts, the unanswered questions, and the legacy that still reverberates.
Born: May 21, 1972 ·
Died: March 9, 1997 ·
Full name: Christopher George Latore Wallace ·
Known as: The Notorious B.I.G., Biggie Smalls ·
Fatal shooting: Los Angeles, California ·
Age at death: 24
Quick snapshot
- Biggie Smalls was shot and killed on March 9, 1997, in Los Angeles (Los Angeles Times)
- The murder remains officially unsolved (Los Angeles Times)
- Biggie was leaving a Soul Train Awards afterparty when he was shot (People)
- Born May 21, 1972, in Brooklyn (NBC New York)
- November 1994: Quad Studios shooting of Tupac (Wikipedia) (NBC New York)
- September 1996: Tupac dies in Las Vegas (amNewYork)
- March 9, 1997: Biggie killed in LA (Los Angeles Times) (NBC New York)
Ten key facts about Biggie Smalls, one pattern: his rise from Brooklyn to hip-hop royalty was swift, but his death left a void that has never been filled.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Christopher George Latore Wallace |
| Born | May 21, 1972, Brooklyn, New York |
| Died | March 9, 1997, Los Angeles, California |
| Cause of death | Gunshot wounds (drive-by shooting) |
| Genres | Hip hop, East Coast hip hop, gangsta rap |
| Years active | 1992–1997 |
| Spouse | Faith Evans (m. 1994) |
| Children | 2 (T’yanna Wallace, Christopher Jordan Wallace) |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Weight | Approximately 300–400 lb (136–181 kg) |
How many times was Biggie Smalls shot?
Biggie Smalls was shot multiple times during the drive-by attack on March 9, 1997. According to Wikipedia, he was struck four times — in the chest, arm, and leg. The fatal wounds were to his chest, and he was pronounced dead at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
- Number of gunshot wounds: four (Wikipedia)
- Location of wounds: chest, arm, leg (Wikipedia)
The number of shots is one of the few concrete details in a case otherwise shrouded in rumor. The LAPD has never publicly released the autopsy report, leaving the exact count to media reports.
The implication: The precision of the shooting — multiple shots to vital areas — suggests a professional hit, but no suspect has ever been charged.
What happened to Biggie Smalls?
In the early hours of March 9, 1997, Biggie Smalls attended a Soul Train Awards afterparty at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. As he left in a Chevrolet Suburban, a black Dodge Impala pulled up alongside and fired multiple shots. Biggie was hit four times and died shortly after at the hospital.
- Circumstances of the drive-by shooting: leaving a party, around 12:45 a.m. (People)
- Aftermath and investigation: LAPD launched a probe; FBI joined later but closed its investigation in 2005 (ABC News)
The LAPD has said the case remains open, but no arrests have been made. For the family, the lack of closure is a decades-long wound that shows no sign of healing.
The pattern: The drive-by shooting mirrors the murder of Tupac Shakur six months earlier, reinforcing the narrative of a tit-for-tat war that law enforcement failed to contain.
Why did Tupac not like Biggie Smalls?
The feud between Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls is one of the most infamous in music history. It began in earnest after Tupac was shot and robbed at Quad Studios in New York City on November 30, 1994. Tupac, who was in the studio building at the time, believed Biggie had prior knowledge of the attack — a claim Biggie consistently denied.
- Alleged involvement in Tupac’s 1994 shooting: Tupac accused Biggie and his associates of setting him up (Wikipedia)
- East Coast–West Coast rivalry: Bad Boy Records (Biggie) vs. Death Row Records (Tupac) became a proxy for regional tensions (Wikipedia)
The trade-off: The rivalry sold records and fueled some of the greatest diss tracks of the era, but it also escalated to real-world violence that claimed two lives.
What were Biggie Smalls’ last words before he died?
According to witnesses, Biggie’s last words before losing consciousness were reportedly I ain’t goin’ out like that.
The quote was popularized in media accounts of the shooting, though its exact origin is debated.
- Reported final words:
I ain’t goin’ out like that
(People) - Source of the quote: attributed to a friend who was with him at the scene (People)
The catch: Like many details of that night, the words are unverifiable. What’s certain is that Biggie died before he could say anything else.
Did Biggie Smalls cry when Tupac died?
When Tupac Shakur died on September 13, 1996, Biggie was in the studio. Publicly, he showed no visible emotion, but associates later said he was deeply affected. Faith Evans, his wife at the time, recalled that Biggie was somber and reflective in the days after.
- Biggie’s public reaction: continued with scheduled appearances, no tears in public (amNewYork)
- Conflicting reports: some friends said he was shaken and saddened privately (People)
The pattern: The public stoicism was part of the gangsta persona, but the feud’s end left Biggie facing a legacy he never wanted.
Timeline signal
- May 21, 1972 — Biggie Smalls born in Brooklyn, New York (NBC New York)
- 1992 — Signed to Uptown Records, then Bad Boy Records (Wikipedia)
- September 1994 — Released debut album Ready to Die (Wikipedia)
- November 30, 1994 — Tupac Shakur shot at Quad Studios in New York (Wikipedia)
- 1995–1996 — Intensifying feud; diss tracks exchanged (Wikipedia)
- September 13, 1996 — Tupac Shakur dies from a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas (amNewYork)
- March 9, 1997 — Biggie Smalls shot and killed in Los Angeles (Los Angeles Times)
- March 25, 1997 — Posthumous album Life After Death released (Wikipedia)
The timeline shows a compressed, violent arc: from debut album to death in less than three years. The unresolved nature of both murders leaves a stain on the music industry’s history.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- He died from his injuries (Los Angeles Times)
- The murder remains officially unsolved (Los Angeles Times)
What’s unclear
- Who exactly ordered or carried out the shooting (Los Angeles Times)
- Whether Biggie had prior knowledge of the 1994 Quad Studios incident (Wikipedia)
- Biggie Smalls was shot four times on March 9, 1997 (Wikipedia) — number is based on media reports, not official autopsy
The implication: Even the basic details of the shooting remain disputed, highlighting the lack of official transparency.
Quotes from the era
I ain’t goin’ out like that.
Biggie Smalls (reportedly his last words, as told to a friend at the scene, People)
He was a good man. He was a good father. He was a good husband. He was a good friend. He was a good person.
Faith Evans, Biggie’s widow, in a 2017 interview with People
I think he knew. I think he knew what was going to happen.
Tupac Shakur, speaking about Biggie’s possible involvement in the 1994 shooting, in a 1995 interview (Wikipedia)
For the hip-hop community, the legacy of Biggie Smalls is clear: his music continues to define the genre, but the pursuit of justice for his murder remains an open wound that demands resolution. For fans of the Notorious B.I.G., the choice is between celebrating his artistry and confronting the violence that took him — a tension that defines the era he helped create.
en.wikipedia.org, nypost.com, fr.wikipedia.org, npr.org, youtube.com
Frequently asked questions
What was Biggie Smalls’ real name?
Christopher George Latore Wallace. He was also known as The Notorious B.I.G. and Biggie Smalls. (Los Angeles Times)
Where was Biggie Smalls born?
Brooklyn, New York, on May 21, 1972. (NBC New York)
How many albums did Biggie Smalls release?
Two studio albums during his lifetime: Ready to Die (1994) and Life After Death (1997, posthumous). Several posthumous compilations followed. (Wikipedia)
What is Biggie Smalls’ most famous song?
Juicy is widely considered his signature track, along with Big Poppa, Hypnotize, and Mo Money Mo Problems. (Wikipedia)
Who was Biggie Smalls married to?
He was married to singer Faith Evans from 1994 until his death. (People)
How many children did Biggie Smalls have?
Two: T’yanna Wallace (born 1993) and Christopher Jordan Wallace (born 1996). (Wikipedia)
Is Biggie Smalls’ murder still unsolved?
Yes. The LAPD has stated the case remains open, but no arrests have ever been made. The FBI closed its investigation in 2005. (Los Angeles Times)
The lingering mystery of Biggie’s murder continues to frustrate investigators and fans, leaving a legacy clouded by unanswered questions.
Catherine Roy is Editor-in-Chief at Oz Briefly, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.