If Heaven’s Got A Ghetto, Tell B.I.G. Things Done Changed: The Legacy of The Notorious B.I.G. and Today’s Urban America
The Notorious B.I.G.- “The What”
The story of Biggie Smalls is the ultimate urban Black narrative: He went from ashy, to classy. The life of Christopher Wallace tells of a popular sentiment shared by many
B.I.G. was never afraid to bring you the grimiest stories from the streets, with the most graphic imagery he could conjure up (peep “Somebody’s Got to Die” or “Long Kiss Goodnight”). But even while being gruesome he could make you laugh (who could say, “I shot Maxie Priest at least twelve times in the chest”). He could bring the ladies’ man swag that every kid who grew up on Blacksploitation films fiended for (didn’t it look like Big was resurrecting Ron O’Neil or Goldie in the “Big Poppa” video?).
But what gets Biggie remembered by many as the greatest rapper of all time was his lyrical ability: the skill to tell a story, rhyming words together cleverly on an instrumental, and all while staying on beat (I figured I define lyricism since we so rarely encounter it in mainstream Hip-Hop today). The inventiveness of the rhymes in “Unbelievable” (dude called himself “the triple beam dream”), the poignancy of the lyrics in “Everyday Struggle,” the rawness in “Who Shot Ya,” the realness in the words of “Suicidal Thoughts,” or the superior story-telling in “I Got a Story to Tell,” these are the abilities that puts B.I.G. in the pantheon of rap greatness and in every single argument over who’s the best MC’s… (Biggie, Jay-Z, or Nas???)
Or has it? Do the rhymes, abilities, and stories of Biggie still resonate with today’s Rap fan; especially with today’s young Hip-Hop listeners. Do kids who “Get Lite” or “Hyphy” want to hear about “Playa Haters” or “Goin Back to
This question of Big’s reputation today becomes all the more odd considering the fact that he was among the originators of bringing (and talking about) upscale fashion and culture to the Hip-Hop scene. But can Versace shades, Girbauds jeans, Coogi sweaters, trips to room 112 at the Parker Meridian, Kangol hats, Cristal, “Cubans with the Jesus piece,” or “Throwing Rollies in the Sky” match today’s True Religion’s, Mauri’s, Red Monkey’s, Patron, or Prada shoes?
Are the stories he talk about still relevant? Is the everyday life of today’s young Hip-Hop listener filled with crime, stick-up kids, poverty, down South hustling trips, guns, and misogyny?
It might seem like the answers to these questions are easy, but perhaps we shouldn’t be so quick to respond. I think maybe we should look a little closer at the realities of life for young people of color in urban
Perhaps one of the greatest ironies is as we celebrate and remember the eleventh anniversary of the passing of one of Black urban America’s greatest voices, March 9th will now also be known as the day one of the greatest shows to ever convey the contemporary inner-city Black experience ended. Over the past six years, “The Wire” has detailed the story of urban
As we approach the end the twenty-first century’s first decade, we are becoming farer removed from that time; and creating a generation farer removed from that music… possibly even that reality
I know for older Hip-Hop heads it must be difficult to hear, but:
“Will we always love Big Poppa?”
michaelpartis@gmail.com
http://michaelpartis.blogspot.com/
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March 10th, 2008 at 12:33 am
real niggaz will remeber real niggaz
March 10th, 2008 at 1:01 am
R.I.P. TO THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G.!!!!
March 10th, 2008 at 1:37 am
I wish B.I.G. was still around to lyrically smash these bubblegum rappers out here today.
R.I.P.
Biggie smalls.
March 10th, 2008 at 1:43 am
big was genious, he youch all markets commercial, underground , clubs, truly amazing.
March 10th, 2008 at 5:53 am
Man, im white, 22 years old and living in sweden so ill just say if i can appreciate his storytelling, lyrical skills and charisma then i cant understand why the “young black youth” would be able to do so to.
Yall just need to stop belivin the hype about these suck ass ringtonerappers and listen to the likes of Joell Ortiz that still talk that slick storytelling with lyrical skills!
The LOX said it best so listen to the song again..
Well always love big poppa!
/listening to Big L - Put it on
March 10th, 2008 at 6:13 am
Biggie’s stories is still relevant, situations in the hood is still the same it’s just that the younger generation choses not to embrace that reality, life is about having fun for them
and that reflects in the music that you hear today.As much as I hate to admit I don’t think were going to see mainstream hip-hop return back to that emphasis on lyricism. Yes things do move in cycles but when have ever seen jazz ,and other old music genres come back in its original form.If anything the hip-hop that’s out now will probably evolve into another genre.
March 10th, 2008 at 7:11 am
“I Dream filthy , My mom an dpops mixed me wit jamiacan rum and wiskey” R.I.P B.I.G
March 10th, 2008 at 8:32 am
“KICK IN THE DOOR WAVE IN THE 4 4″
R.I.P BIGGIE THE BEST EVER!
March 10th, 2008 at 8:40 am
50 cent ,lil wayne, jim jones you fuckin pricks when i see you
iam a kick in the door wavin the fofo all you hear is poppa don’t hit me no more
all i want is bitches big booty bitches used to sell crack so i can stack my riches now i pack gats to stop all the snitches from staying in my business what is this
March 10th, 2008 at 8:43 am
dammit, partis…
i ain’t trynna pole jock or nothin…
but u really do have the thought provokin pieces on lock…
i honestly didn’t listen to B.I.G….
as i was a young impressionable pac fan…
but i knew who he was…
& i knew he made good music…
his lyrics prolly might soar over the heads of the youth 2day…
in 1 ear out the other style…
otherwise…
some of the kats that should be sellin would be sellin more… (Jay-Z & Nas)
but u gotta feel bad about the evolution of the game…
how long can u hold onto the past…
attempting to stave off the waves of the future…
such is the fate of all men i guess…
that’s why we’re dyin to live…
either way…
good post…
R.I.P. B.I.G.
~A.V.A.T.A.R. the DymondKrook~
A.K. all day…
i’ve Aquired the Knowledge…
but true wisdom’s hard 2 find…
n this world of ignorant shit…
20/20 vision n the land of the blind…
March 10th, 2008 at 9:14 am
very good read but what does the wire have to do with BIG. I understand that they both represent the rawness and “make it happen” ideology in the street but that aspect is still there. It may not be as celebrated as the colorful bandanas and tight jeans but none the less real niggas still do real things for real reasons. but yo Mike that was well written n well deserved.
March 10th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
GOOD READ!
R.I.P. BIG
March 10th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
I feel what the story and all that, i dont think BIG’s lyrics relate to the problems of today, if you listen to 2pac most if not all of his stories can relate to today and in the future, Pac was the rap game’s Farrakhan!!
I like 2pac way better than BIG anyways, i dont see why he gets so much credit, when Pac reached a more broader audience…get ya weight up
March 10th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Biggie, miss you blind! Only a few are trying to keep real and others are keeping it real stupid. From where you are, I know that you can see and hear the madness put out by whack ass artists. I never wanted anyone to copy your game plan because it can’t be done. You are the true all around package. I’m so sorry that you left this planet without finishing your music mission. To me you’re a motherfucking rap phenomenon for life and I only wish that I had a chance to work with you. But what you should know is that myself and DJ THUNDERMIXX will continue to “big you up” in every production that we do. Your presence is missing and desired over the airwaves. Now this is in no way any type of ass-kiss rodeo but I have to share the truth, you’re missed. Music suxs so bad and you said it would. Many of these douche rappers are out of control with their fake ass beefs and punk ass music. Instead of truly being hard they are as soft as a small penis. 11 years has been too long and I know that karma will reveal who murked you and caused true hip hop to go down the toilet. Rest in Paradise, Biggie. http://www.myspace.com/SAxlerod
March 10th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Hmmmmmmm….Props.
Very thought provoking piece and question. Any true player or hustler knows that the only way to conquer the game is to take it to another level in your day and age. With this being said that also means learning the history of past predecessors who excelled in the game. Sure to some BIG may not be relevant but to the true in Hip Hop he will always have relevancy and presence. His DNA is all up in the success of every major rapper today and those to come.
R.I.P. BIG
GFK
NY POST
March 10th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Ill read
Rest is peace BIG!
March 10th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
This was a good read. No disrespect to Pac, Pun, or Big L because they all were sick but B.I.G will always and 4eva be that nigga! If I could bring any emcee back it would b Biggie.
R.I.P. Notorious B.I.G
March 10th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
Yo i know its BIG anniversary but homeboy that wrote the lil article didnt have to hate on my nigg Pac by not mentioning him as the greatest or in the disscussion. Cuz yall know its 2PAC 4 Ever…
March 11th, 2008 at 10:34 am
B.I.G. was unprecendented and there has yet to be a rapper great enough to even think about taking his crown as the best rapper of all time. Before 2Pac, NWA set the groundwork for thug life and gangster music. After 2Pac, there are about 40 different rappers all emulating the same exact style successfully. I’m definitely not a hater ; he was a great artist that showed the many different faces that we all possess (angry at the system, thug life, compassion, love). That being said 2Pac made about 80 thousand songs (obviously exaggerating) while Biggie made two albums, the fact that Biggie is still held as one of if not THE greatest rapper of all time off of two albums is a clear indication of just how great he really was. For all you Pac lovers, I reiterate, the nigga was nice, but he aint fucking with Biggie.
My nigga Partis keep doing your thing
March 11th, 2008 at 11:10 am
And as to Younguru’s comment that “i dont see why he gets so much credit, when Pac reached a more broader audience,” you exemplify the problem with many hip hop/rap “fans.” Record sales or popularity do not equal skill. 2Pac is the highest selling rapper of all time, but that isn’t necessarily important when arguing who’s better. And as to you saying that Biggie’s shit isnt relevant to today, please give me one song that can’t be relevant to what niggas in the hood still go through today. Same shit, newer toilet. If Pac is the new Farrakhan, Biggie was Malcom X and Martin Luther King rolled up in a tight J.
March 16th, 2008 at 11:52 am
Well…..
The easiest way to put it is that cat was the TRUTH, period. That piece was Love. Real Talk. The whole B.I.G./PAC thing I don’t care to touch due to the fact that more than half these paper soldiers out here doing their “thing” done rode the nuts of both them cats & can’t hold a candle to their weakest flow. (if either really had one) Just like Hell is Hell, the Hood is the Hood & unfortunately ain’t nothin’ changed. So B.I.G.’s flow is just as hot now as then.(if Joka’s are actually listenin’ to what is being SAID!)If not, your opinion doesn’t matter no way.
William H.
R.I.P. B.I.G.
April 4th, 2008 at 8:48 am
I people are still comparing BIG to PAC, they were two different rappers. They were both very important to Hip Hop as you can see by listening to the music that is out there now. BIG and PAC made these rappers come with their A games and they also motivated them. There are no real prototypes to follow now. Tupac was our modern day Malcolm X, he was molded for that and BIG was molded to expose the grit in NYC and show other cats that they can come up too. I was there in his heyday and there will never be another rapper that can bring that type of flavor to HIP HOP. He had everybody in the clubs coming to party not gangbang. If people did not know the effect their deaths was going to have on this music, they should know now. RIP BIG & PAC, missing you.
April 8th, 2008 at 5:22 am
Some People fail to realise Big had some of the hardest verses and 1 liners in rap history and dud was only like 24 years old… amazing, compare this to wayne who would of been in the industry longer, and i dont know any rapper who even quotes wayne as , bar a few cute punchlines possesses no killer one liners or classic quotables like BIG… two of biggies last verses were the benjamins remix and victory with diddy & busta , any hiphop head with a good ear will tell you that Biggie was getting even BETTER - flow wise, lyrically and his swag was amazing.. he was rappin on his own level, why u think Jay love his style so much? cos Jay knew at the time lyrically, & flow wise only he could push jay dont get it twisted they were both VERY aware of each others skill level , they had a healthy rivalry( there subtle battle raps against each other on brooklyns finest were great) i think they would have been one rap duos ever.
Big will always be remembered as bringing the east coast back at a time when it was dead & buried. BIG 4 Ever - UH, BABY BABY!!
May 13th, 2008 at 8:18 am
BROOKLYN STAND UP WE HAD A LOT OF GREAT MC’S THAT CAME OUT OF BK BUT THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME DIED ON MARCH 9TH. IF U ARE A TRUE HIP HOP HEAD YOU WILL NOTICE THAT MC’S STILL TALK ABOUT BIG IN THEIR SONGS FAT JOE JAY-Z JADDA KISS BUSTA NAS JIM JONES