Biggie's Complicated Place In Hip-Hop History

CLEVELAND - Hard to believe that it's been a full 13 years since the awful drive-by murder of rap superstar The Notorious B.I.G. It's also hard to evaluate his place in hip-hop history given his massive talent and groundbreaking accomplishments coupled with a very brief career and zero longevity.

He was, however, unquestionably great.

That fateful night in Los Angeles 13 years ago today still perplexes and frustrates B.I.G.'s loyal fans and the hip-hop community at large. It also hurts that the very public crime remains unsolved nearly 5,000 days after the fact. But one thought that today has caused me to have is this: where does Biggie rank in rap history?

On the plus side, Biggie was unassailable as an MC. His lyrical aptitude was beyond reproach and resulted in wide praise from fans and critics alike. His 1994 debut album Ready To Die is considered a touchstone in the genre's history. It was also lauded as being one of the most brilliant debut albums ever. His 1997 double album Life After Death has been endlessly acclaimed as a polished masterpiece; a veritable cinematic-style opus that deftly showcased B.I.G.'s ascension as a true icon in his field.

On the negative side, Biggie was only in the game for three years. Obviously, it wasn't his fault that his career was cut short by gunmen, but the fact still remains. So, with only two albums to his credit in such an abbreviated career, B.I.G.'s ranking seems to be lower than one might expect. Making matters more frustrating is the realization that he wasn't even in his prime yet. Once Life After Death was released 16 days after his death, it became evident that his already incredible skills had dramatically improved. The concepts were more ambitious and the variety in topics were excellent. Where Ready To Die was was raw and gritty, Life After Death was refined and stylish. Biggie was brought to our attention as an obese street hustler who dealt drugs and overcame his "black and ugly as ever" appearance with endless charm and confidence. By the time 1997 began, he had evolved into a believable Don Juan of the ladies as well as a mafioso-style gangster.

In the final analysis, I feel that because of Biggie's game changing music and his unforgettable style, he will forever be a giant in hip-hop. His time may have been very brief, but that actually makes his epic achievements that much more impressive.

Long live B.I.G.