Christopher Wallace—better known as The Notorious B.I.G.—rose from the streets of Brooklyn to become one of the most iconic voices in hip-hop history. But just as his career was reaching its peak, he was gunned down in Los Angeles in a crime that remains officially unsolved to this day. In this episode, we trace Biggie’s journey from his early life and rise to fame, through the East Coast–West Coast rivalry, to the night of his murder and the tangled web of conspiracy theories, police corruption, and false leads that followed. We also explore his mother Voletta’s relentless fight for justice, and the legacy Biggie left behind.

 

Thank you to this week’s sponsors!

 

Are you ready to bring all your favorite carbs right to your doorstep? For a limited time, Wildgrain is offering our listeners $30 off the first box - PLUS free Croissants in every box - when you go to Wildgrain.com/MOMS to start your subscription  or you can use promo code MOMS at checkout.

Shop a huge selection of outdoor furniture online. This summer, get outside with Wayfair. Head to Wayfair.com right now. Wayfair. Every style. Every home.

For the dad who deserves better than basic—Quince has you covered. Go to Quince.com/moms  for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. 

Head over to thisisneeded.com and use code MOMS for 20% off your first order. 

Check-out bonus episodes up on Spotify and Apple podcast now!

To advertise on the show, contact [email protected] or visit https://www.advertisecast.com/MomsandMysteriesATrueCrimePodcast. 

Listen and subscribe to Melissa’s other podcast, Criminality!! It’s the podcast for those who love reality TV, true crime, and want to hear all the juicy stories where the two genres intersect. Subscribe and listen here: www.pod.link/criminality 

 

Check-out Moms and Mysteries to find links to our tiktok, youtube, twitter, instagram and more.

Sources:

1. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Lq80c7pv_7QRjE2IRIjaWwapfcEr1SNr/view?usp=sharing

2. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rWv9KydW7nWJ_hID1zxQqlN_HzPa7ijL/view?usp=sharing

3. https://vault.fbi.gov/Christopher%20%28Biggie%20Smalls%29%20Wallace%20/christopher-biggie-smalls-wallace-part-3-of-3

4. https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/536026-christopher-wallace-autopsy

5. https://apnews.com/article/6b1c86737bbe3e3abfc6069dc420a8ed

6. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-me-biggie-interview-archive-htmlstory.html

7. https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/10/us/rapper-is-shot-to-death-in-echo-of-killing-6-months-ago.html

8. https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/17/nyregion/the-short-life-of-a-rap-star-shadowed-by-many-troubles.html

9. https://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-biggiephilips13june1397-story.html

10. https://www.spin.com/1997/05/last-exit-brooklyn-notorious-big/

11. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-dec-09-mn-42032-story.html

12. https://www.poconorecord.com/story/lifestyle/2003/03/10/mother-builds-legacy-for-murdered/50987224007/

13. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-jun-03-me-biggie3-story.html

14. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/informant-testifies-at-big-case/

15. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/b-i-g-cop-testifies-123285/

16. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-jul-07-me-biggie7-story.html

17. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/biggies-family-awarded-11-million-58921/

18. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-jul-31-me-biggie31-story.html

19. https://www.npr.org/2010/08/02/128916682/biggie-smalls-the-voice-that-influenced-a-generation

20. https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/us/20big.html

21. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-unsolved-mystery-of-the-notorious-b-i-g-254712/

22. https://www.spin.com/2010/03/remembering-notorious-big/

23. Netflix’s Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell

24. Murder Rap: Inside the Biggie and Tupac Murders