Few names are more synonymous with hip-hop’s culture and industry than Christopher Wallace, better known to fans as the Notorious B.I.G. In the years prior to his untimely death, Wallace combined his love of storytelling with his elusive use of jargon to create some of the rap game’s most classic hits. To this day he is regarded as one of the greatest rappers to ever possess a mic, if not the greatest.
In honor of the late-great rap legend, here are nine songs that truly encapsulate the impact and legacy that Biggie Smalls has on rap music today.
1. Juicy (1994)
A timeless anthem of rags-to-riches storytelling, ‘Juicy’ serves as the exaggerative biography of the Brooklyn-native on his journey to the top of the rap game. The braggadocios lyricism feels joyful rather than obnoxious, thanks to a plethora of beautifully turned lines like “Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis/When I was dead broke, man, I couldn’t picture this” and “No heat, wonder why Christmas missed us Birthdays was the worst days.”
In 2019, Juicy was voted not just the greatest Notorious BIG track, but the greatest hip-hop track of all time in a BBC poll.
2. Hypnotize (1997)
The Notorious B.I.G. transitioned from street survivalism to mafioso storytelling behind Versace shades in his posthumous No. 1 hit single Hypnotize.
His flawlessly smooth style over a funky, bass-heavy groove makes this song a classic party staple. With its catchy hook and playful, confident lyrics, “Hypnotize” became an instant classic, showcasing Biggie’s charisma and larger-than-life persona. The track’s infectious energy and timeless appeal make it one of Biggie’s most iconic and celebrated hits, further solidifying his place atop hip-hop history..
3. Who Shot Ya (1994)
It’s hard to skip over the cultural significance of a track like ‘Who Shot Ya’ when discussing the razor-sharp lyricism and menacing delivery Biggie offers over the dark and intense track.
B.I.G. denied the song was about Tupac in the aftermath of the robbery that almost saw him lose his life. But the song dropped a month after the incident, and Tupac was convinced they’d set him up. Whether it was about him, it acted as the spark in the beef that may have claimed Biggie’s life.
Set over a haunting and hallucinatory sound, it exudes confidence and power, as Biggie makes use of negative space in his verses that give his threats a biblical intensity (“Feel a thousand deaths when I drop ya/ I feel for you”).
The track remains a masterpiece of bravado and street poetry despite the irreversible ramifications it may have brought.
4. Mo Money Mo Problems (
Biggie delivers sharp, introspective verses about the complications that come with wealth and fame on the hit single from his posthumous hit album Life After Death.
B.I.G. pairs up with Diddy and Mase for the celebration of success over a Diana Ross sample that reflects off those shiny suits and continues to radiate decades later.
5. Brooklyn’s Finest feat. Jay-Z (
Seeing a future great and a modern-day giant go head-to-head will almost certainly provide a historic bout.
“Brooklyn’s Finest” became that stunning back-and-forth between NYC royalty as a young and hungry Jay-Z matches wits with the rap game’s heavyweight champion.
After Biggie’s death, Brooklyn’s Finest took on the poignant sense of one era passing and another beginning.
6. Ten Crack Commandments
Biggie turns harsh realities into compelling art while laying out the rules for surviving and thriving in the drug game over a hard-hitting DJ Premier beat. A gritty and instructional anthem, his delivery and vivid storytelling capture the realities of the hustler’s life, blending cautionary wisdom with his signature wit and flow with lines like “That goddam credit? Dead it! You think a crackhead paying you back? Shit, forget it!”
Hip-hop’s most cited rulebook even set the stage for Lin-Manuel Miranda to produce the “Ten Duel Commandments” for his hit Broadway musical Hamilton.
7. One More Chance
Biggie showcases his softer side on the soulful R&B-inspired beat.
Smalls enlists the vocal stylings of Faith Evans to deliver the catchy hook as the song balances heartfelt lyrics about love and reconciliation with his effortless delivery.
Not to mention a star-studded music video that speaks to B.I.G.’s standing in music and culture with cameos from Mary J. Blige, Spike Lee, Queen Latifah, and Aaliyah to name a few.
8. Notorious Thugs
Every artist has a signature style. The greats, however, can stray away from what’s familiar and still produce gold.
‘Notorious Thugs’ is a testament to B.I.G.’s ability to adapt and innovate as he swaps his typically laid-back flow for Bone Thugs-n-Harmony’s famously complex double time.
Biggie appears unfazed by the challenge as he delivers complex internal rhyme schemes in a rapid fire verse, evoking a thriller sensibility as it descends from decadence to violence.
9. Get Money feat.
A collaboration with Lil’ Kim as part of Junior M.A.F.I.A., this track is a smooth yet hard-hitting anthem about relationships, power, and wealth. Biggie delivers sharp, confident verses over a hypnotic beat, while Lil’ Kim adds her own fiery perspective, creating a perfect dynamic.
With its catchy hook and bold lyrics, “Get Money” became a classic, showcasing Biggie’s charisma and storytelling prowess alongside his ability to craft timeless hip-hop duets.