How Did Biggie Smalls Die?
Biggie Smalls died of Drive-by shooting (unsolved murder) on March 9, 1997, at age 24.
What was Biggie Smalls's cause of death?
Biggie Smalls was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles, California, on March 9, 1997, at the age of 24. He was leaving a post-Grammy party at the Petersen Automotive Museum when a dark-colored Chevrolet Impala pulled alongside his vehicle and an unknown gunman fired four rounds into his SUV. He was pronounced dead at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center approximately an hour later. The murder remains officially unsolved as of 2026.
How old was Biggie Smalls when they died?
Biggie Smalls was 24 years old at the time of death.
When did Biggie Smalls die?
Biggie Smalls died on March 9, 1997.
Biggie Smalls Biography
Christopher George Latore Wallace was born on May 21, 1972, in Brooklyn, New York, to Jamaican immigrant parents. He grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood and sold drugs as a teenager before pursuing music. Discovered by rapper Heavy D and signed to Bad Boy Records by Sean Combs in 1993, his debut album Ready to Die (1994) is considered one of the greatest hip-hop albums ever made. He became the defining voice of East Coast hip-hop and was in the middle of an East/West Coast rivalry with Tupac Shakur when both were murdered in drive-by shootings six months apart.
Personal Life
Who are Biggie Smalls's parents?
Voletta Wallace, Selwyn George Latore
Was Biggie Smalls married?
| Name | Married | Divorced |
|---|---|---|
| Jan Jackson | 1993 | 1996 |
| Faith Evans | None | None |
Did Biggie Smalls have children?
Biggie Smalls had 2 children: T'yanna Wallace, Christopher Jordan Wallace.
What religion was Biggie Smalls?
Biggie Smalls was Christian.
What was Biggie Smalls's ethnicity?
Biggie Smalls was of Jamaican-American heritage.
Career Highlights
Albums
- Ready to Die (1994)
- Life After Death (1997, posthumous)
Awards
- Billboard Music Award for Rap Artist of the Year (1995)
- MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video — One More Chance (1995)
- Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album — Ready to Die
- Ranked #3 on Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Rappers list
Facts About Biggie Smalls
- He sold crack cocaine on the streets of Brooklyn before being discovered by rapper Heavy D
- Ready to Die is consistently ranked as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time
- He was murdered in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles on March 9, 1997 — the case remains unsolved
- His murder came just six months after the murder of Tupac Shakur, his East Coast/West Coast rival
- Life After Death was released just 16 days after his death and debuted at number one
Biggie Smalls Quotes
"Stay far from timid, only make moves when your heart's in it."
"I made my first million, I felt good."
Legacy
Biggie Smalls is widely considered one of the greatest rappers of all time. Ready to Die and the posthumous Life After Death are essential albums in hip-hop history. His murder, along with that of Tupac Shakur, marked a turning point in hip-hop culture. Rolling Stone ranked him the third greatest rapper of all time. His estate continues to generate significant income and his influence on hip-hop is immeasurable.
Sources
Last verified: 2026-06-05