The Notorious B.I.G., born Christopher Wallace in Brooklyn on May 21, 1972, remains one of hip-hop’s most enduring figures. Often hailed as “The King of New York,” his catalog produced 16 entries on the Billboard Hot 100, including two No. 1s and five top 10 hits, and sold more than 28 million albums in the U.S. alone. Beyond his own success, Biggie helped shape the careers of artists like Lil’ Kim and Junior M.A.F.I.A., extending his influence far beyond his own recordings.

His landmark albums Ready to Die, Life After Death and the posthumous Born Again collectively spent over three years on Billboard’s top album sales chart, with the latter two both reaching No. 1. Even decades after his death in 1997, Biggie’s cultural impact continues to grow, cemented by his 2020 induction into the R

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