20 years without Biggie Smalls

It is crazy to think it has been 20 years since Biggie Smalls was murdered outside an after party for the BET Awards, in Los Angeles, California.

Biggie Smalls was the victim of the west coast vs. east coast beef that was going on at that time. Just six months earlier that beef claimed the life of Tupac Shakur.

You could say in so many ways that both were the face of their respective coasts.

Much of the beef however, was fueled by white owned media outlets. The way they covered hip hop at that time was filled with east coast bias.  They would never give west coast MC’s props. At the same time, any average MC from the east coast would get the highest of praise!

This feeling of mistreatment was really felt by the audience. West coast rappers felt the disrespect.  

Most of those outlets won’t speak on the role they played. MCs on both coasts were quick to diss the other coast.

Several west coast fans decided they no longer even wanted to hear east coast rappers. As events unfolded in Tupac’s life, he suddenly became the voice for the west. Naturally, his one time friend, the Notorius B.I.G. became the one to represent the East. He was already considered the King of NY rappers, and to this day many still see him as one of its greatest ever.

Just the other day we wrote about how much the hip hop world has suffered from not having Tupac and Biggie Smalls. Imagine where the industry would be right now, if those two voices were still being heard over the last 20 years. Not only were both victims of violence that plagues the African American community, they are a reminder of why MC’s need to keep their beef on wax.

Two classics in rap beef history, starting with Hit em Up. Tupac claimed he slept with Faith and everything. Then Biggie responded with Who Shot Ya? After denying that he had anything to do with Tupac getting shot, one of several events adding fuel to the fire of the coastal beefs at that time, Who Shot Ya cemented Biggies crown.

The real tragedy here is that a life was lost. Several lives, lost taken by others who, to this day have not been caught!

How can it be, that the killer of Biggie Smalls is still free?

Shaquille Oneal and several others who knew Biggie were in deep reflection and celebration today. Looking back at a career that was truly cut short!  Dying at just 24 years old, Biggie Smalls made his mark on hip hop, and the world. Lessons from his life are still being learned and taught.  When rappers get a little too heated while battling on wax, a subtle reminder goes out. Let’s not let this get too out of hand…

He isn’t the only one wondering what could have been. Just the other day while talking about another Rap Beef that was part of this Coastal Beef, “That Time CNN responded to Dogg Pound“, we asked you just how many albums did we miss out on? Earlier on today, the weatherman paid tribute, to Biggie Smalls – if you don’t know, now you know!

Celebrate his contributions with us below, and on the pages of AuthorityHop.com

 

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