Tuesday, March 10, 2015

The Notorious B.I.G. Vs Pop Culture: A Guide to Biggie's Pop Culture References


It was all a dream!


Christopher George Latore Wallace is a man of many names: Biggie Smalls, Big Poppa, B.I., Franky Baby, and, most notably, The Notorious B.I.G.

With a name such as this, it's easy to see why his music is immediately recognizable by both hardcore and casual rap fans alike; his life, career, and untimely death have been heavily discussed by music fans, rap historians, and media professionals; his skills as a rapper and lyricist are frequently held up as significantly influential to the music environment that followed.

But one thing about Biggie remains frequently overlooked: his sincere appreciation for Popular Culture. In addition to life struggles, famed success, women, and the search for the C.R.E.A.M., his lyrics feature numerous references to musical influences, films, media personalities, and cultural icons.

So, to start the story, let's follow the life of Mr. B.I.G. and explore some of the most interesting pop culture tools he used to become the so-called King of New York.