It’s so hard to believe that 26 years ago the legendary Christopher Wallace aka Biggie smalls aka Notorious B.I.G. passed away.
One of the most iconic artists in the rap genre, was born and raised in Bed-Stuy. He was only 24 years old when he was shot and killed while sitting in a car at a stoplight after leaving a party on March 9, 1997, in Los Angeles. I can remember it like it was yesterday. I was the resident dj at the Peterson Automotive Museum on Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles Calif.
I noticed the Notorious B.I.G. was leaving the club so I played ‘Warning’ Which is one of his songs. Biggie turned around and gave me the peace sign as I responded with a salute. not knowing that would be the last time I would see him alive.
moments after him leaving, I could hear a woman screaming “Biggie got shot!” It was a strange feeling in the atmosphere.
Despite being one of the most well-known cases of celebrity death, no one has been charged for the murder of The Notorious B.I.G and the case remains officially unsolved.
At about 12:45am on March 9, 1997, Biggie’s Chevrolet Suburban stopped at a red traffic light. Inside his vehicle was his entourage, including Junior M.A.F.I.A rapper Lil’ Cease, Damion “D-Roc” Butler, and Gregory “G-Money” Young. Biggie’s friend and record label boss, Sean “Diddy” Combs, was in the vehicle behind.
A black Chevrolet Impala pulled up alongside Biggie’s car and the perpetrator fired four bullets at the Brooklyn native. According to tmz.com, “It was the final bullet that tragically ended his life and career.” The report was released in 2012, more than 15 years after his death.
Amir Muhammad has been named as the alleged shooter on several occasions. In 2002, a $400 million civil lawsuit against the LAPD and the city of Los Angeles for wrongful death and federal civil rights violations was filed by the Wallace estate. It also identified Amir Muhammad as the alleged gunman. The lawsuit was dismissed in 2010.
