NOTORIOUS B.I.G

“Considered a fool, ‘cause I dropped out of high school. Stereotypes of a black male misunderstood, and its still all good”.

Once you hear these lyrics, you know its none other than…. NO-NO-NOTORIOUS B.I.G, a powerhouse rapper and one of the greatest this Hip Hop world has ever scene.

I grew up learning a lot from my older sister and when she introduced me to Biggie, I was hooked to Hip Hop. Sitting as a child spitting lyrics from Juicy, Hypnotize or Big Poppa (as if I even knew what the words truly meant), I connected with someone greater; someone who came from where I came from, and despite the money and fame, never forgot his foundation. Biggie placed Brooklyn on the map and we connected to the “Brooklyn way”. Whether he rapped about aspects we didn’t agree with or the change he was making for his family, no one could dispute the imprint he left.

So when March 9, 1997 hit, many people went numb. At the early age of 7, I didn’t fully understand the power of Biggie. But now, more than ever, I truly understand the depth of the NOTORIOUS B.I.G. A man, like he said, who took Hip Hop far. A man, who had so many rapping his lyrics and supporting him.

14 years ago today, Biggie passed away but he never left this world. For the rest of the day, continue to celebrate his legacy… “Cause if you don’t know, now you know”…