Coker, C.H. (1997, May). "Chronicle of a death foretold." Vibe, 5 (4), 47-50.

OVERVIEW

Who was Biggie Smalls? Brooklyn rap artist, father, friend, man of faith? With seemingly so much to live for—a shining career, a multi-platinum album, a son whom he adored, and life in the world of the jetsetters—what went so wrong for Biggie Smalls that would lead someone to hit him with multiple shots, bringing his life to an end just three months shy of his 25th birthday? Living in Los Angeles, Biggie had attended a celebrity bash following the televised presentation of the Soul Train Awards. When the party got so big that the fire marshals came to shut it down, Biggie and his entourage left in three separate cars. They stopped for a red light at a major downtown Los Angeles intersection, when someone pulled next to Biggie’s car and opened fire. Biggie Smalls died shortly thereafter at Cedars-Sinai Hospital. Rumors suggest a East Coast—West Coast rivalry between BadBoy and Death Row Records, and that Biggie Small was murdered as vengeance for the death of Tupac Shakur. Both companies deny that anything of the sort is true.

The Notorious B.I.G., "Biggie Smalls," was born on May 21, 1972. Born Christopher Wallace, Biggie’s life as a rap singer was very different than what one might expect. His life began similar to most other children born in the inner city of Brooklyn, New York. Because his father left when he was one and a half years old, his mother provided the stable influence in Biggie’s life. However, she struggled working two jobs and attending night school. Biggie recalls being told in the third grade that he should try to make something of his talent, and in that way, he would be fulfilled. Still, the influence of the gang and the lure of drugs and easy money was too powerful for him to resist.

Biggie’s reflections of his teenage years include memories of anger. He often risked his life and was ready to die. By the age of 17, Biggie was arrested for the first extended period of time, nine months. Three years later he fathered his first child, a little girl named T’Yanna. Realizing her total dependence upon him, he also began to think about the danger of his career in selling drugs. At this same time, he was given the opportunity to become an rap emcee, a talent that seemed natural to Biggie. His Iyrics were not solely based on his own experiences, but they also included stories he collected about the misfortunes of others.

Once Biggie discovered his talent in music, he was willing to give everything he had to make it work. Through it all, he learned from his mistakes. Tupac’s death taught Biggie that "nothing protects you from inevitable." Biggie Smalls was not burdened with personal grudges. For example, in speaking about his wife’s alleged infidelity, Biggie said, " ‘If she did it, she can’t do it no more, so let’s just get on with our lives. I hold grudges but I can’t hate nobody, that’s not my nature.’ " Further, he held an interesting attitude with respect to his notoriety. " ‘People will always believe what they want to believe—so why try to fight it.’ " Also, Biggie wore a large gold Jesus pendant as "an outward demonstration of his newfound faith in God." He shared a sense of his trust in God and saw the down times in people’s lives as tests and obstacles that everyone must go through. To reassure himself of God’s presence within, Biggie had tattooed on the inside of his forearm the words of Psalm 27:1, 2: "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to devour my flesh—my adversaries and foes—they shall stumble and fall." In essence, this was how Biggie lived his life, never fearing anyone or anything.

To this end, Biggie was in a car accident six months prior to his death. He took this as a sign to slow down and change his lifestyle. He was further compelled to change by his children, for whom he lived. And in the final moments of his life, Biggie stated that he no longer wanted to die; instead, he realized that there were many places he still wanted to go and much that he still wanted to experience.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. For all the striving to escape the ghetto and to attain celebrity status, in the final analysis, did Biggie really "made it"? What about his peers in the rap music scene?
2. Are people better off with huge salaries and admiring fans?
3. Was Biggie’s lifestyle a place to hide from reality? Explain your thoughts.

IMPLICATIONS

1. This attitude does not reflect the typical "brother" growing up in a Brooklyn ghetto. One thinks that all these kids are involved in gangs that they are filled with hate and a desire to kill. Biggie was just one example to the contrary, who gives us hope for working in the lives of inner city youth.
2. Biggie Smalls was a hero to many young people. His lifetstyle and belief system are complex, and at times, possibly contradictory. It is important for youth workers to help young people discern whether Biggie Smalls is worthy of his respected status. Help young people understand what can be learned from his fascinating, brief life.

Melissa Craig cCYS