A kid from Brooklyn who changed hip-hop before he turned 25 — that’s the story of Biggie Smalls, a rapper whose life was as outsized as his talent. While the murder that cut him short remains unsolved, the facts about who he was, what he earned, and the family he left behind are often tangled in myth.

4 related posts

Born: May 21, 1972 ·
Died: March 9, 1997 ·
Real name: Christopher George Latore Wallace ·
Children: 2 ·
Age at death: 24 ·
Net worth at death: $10 million

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Born Christopher George Latore Wallace on May 21, 1972 in Brooklyn (Biography)
  • Died in a drive-by shooting on March 9, 1997 (Biography)
  • Had two children: T’yanna and Christopher Jordan Wallace (Harrison Estate Law)
  • Net worth estimated at $10 million at time of death (HotNewHipHop)
2What’s unclear
  • Who exactly paid for Biggie’s funeral? (XXL)
  • Exact weight at death (estimates range from 280–350 lbs) (Healthline)
  • Identity of his killer remains unknown (Biography)
3Timeline signal
  • Born May 21, 1972 → debut album 1994 → killed March 9, 1997 (Wikipedia)
4What’s next

Nine biographical facts, one pattern: most of what people think they know about Biggie is backed by official records — except for two big questions about his death and his weight.

The table below lays out the verified biographical record.

Fact Value Source
Real name Christopher George Latore Wallace Biography
Stage names The Notorious B.I.G., Biggie Smalls Biography
Born May 21, 1972 Biography
Died March 9, 1997 Biography
Age at death 24 Biography
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) Wikipedia
Weight at death Approximately 300 lbs (136 kg) Healthline
Children 2 Harrison Estate Law
Net worth at death $10 million HotNewHipHop

What is Biggie Smalls?

Who was the Notorious B.I.G.?

  • Biggie Smalls, known professionally as The Notorious B.I.G., was an American rapper from Brooklyn, New York (Biography).
  • He was born Christopher George Latore Wallace on May 21, 1972 (Biography).
  • He dropped out of high school before pursuing music (HotNewHipHop).

What is Biggie Smalls’ real name?

  • His full birth name is Christopher George Latore Wallace (Biography).
  • He adopted the stage name Biggie Smalls after a character in the 1975 film Let’s Do It Again (Wikipedia).
  • He later used The Notorious B.I.G. as his primary professional name (Biography).
The trade-off

Biggie’s multiple stage names created brand confusion early on — but the name “Notorious B.I.G.” became so iconic that it now drives millions in annual licensing revenue for his estate, according to Harrison Estate Law.

The implication: Biggie Smalls was not just a rapper — he was a cultural identifier that outlived his short career. His name alone generates posthumous income streams that surpassed his lifetime earnings.

What happened to Biggie Smalls?

How did Biggie Smalls die?

  • Biggie Smalls was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting on March 9, 1997, in Los Angeles, California (Biography).
  • He was 24 years old at the time of his death (Biography).
  • The murder has never been solved (Biography).

Who killed Biggie Smalls?

  • No one has ever been charged with Biggie’s murder (Biography).
  • Multiple theories exist, but all remain unproven (Wikipedia).
  • The case remains open, according to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD official site).
Why this matters

The unsolved status of Biggie’s murder means his family — and hip-hop fans — have no legal closure. The open case also prevents full estate resolution, as insurance payouts and civil suits remain tied to the investigation (Harrison Estate Law).

The pattern: Biggie’s death mirrors the same lack of resolution that surrounds many high-profile hip-hop murders. The open case leaves a legal and emotional gap that no posthumous album can fill.

Did Biggie Smalls have any kids?

How many children did Biggie Smalls have?

  • Biggie Smalls had two children (Harrison Estate Law).
  • His daughter, T’yanna Wallace, was born from his relationship with Jan Jackson (Wikipedia).
  • His son, Christopher Jordan Wallace Jr., was born on October 29, 1996, to Biggie and his wife Faith Evans (Wikipedia).

Who is Biggie Smalls’ son?

  • Christopher Jordan Wallace Jr. (known as C.J.) is an actor and entrepreneur (Wikipedia).
  • He appeared in the 2009 film Notorious, portraying his father (IMDb).
  • Both children are now adults managing aspects of Biggie’s estate (Harrison Estate Law).
The catch

While Biggie’s children inherited substantial wealth, the estate’s complex management — controlled by his mother Voletta Wallace, his widow Faith Evans, and former manager Wayne Barrow — has led to public disputes over control and spending (Grunge).

What this means: Biggie’s children weren’t just heirs — they became stewards of a legacy that includes film rights, music catalog licensing, and merchandise. The estate’s value has grown from $10 million at his death to an estimated $160 million today (Harrison Estate Law).

How old is Biggie Smalls now?

How old was Biggie Smalls when he died?

  • Biggie Smalls was 24 years old at the time of his death on March 9, 1997 (Biography).
  • He was 24 years and 292 days old (Wikipedia).

What is Biggie Smalls’ age at death?

  • Born May 21, 1972; died March 9, 1997 (Biography).
  • He would have turned 53 in 2025 had he lived (Wikipedia).

The trade-off: Biggie’s youth at death — combined with his massive output in just three years — created the “what if” mystique that fuels his continued relevance. Had he lived longer, the legend might feel less legendary.

Who paid for Biggie’s funeral?

Did Diddy pay for Biggie’s funeral?

  • Contrary to popular belief, Sean “Diddy” Combs did not pay for Biggie’s funeral, according to Biggie’s estate manager (XXL).
  • The funeral costs were reportedly covered by Biggie’s estate and family (Harrison Estate Law).
  • The myth that Diddy paid likely stems from their close business relationship (Biography).

What is the truth about Biggie’s funeral costs?

  • Biggie’s funeral was held on March 18, 1997, at the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel in Manhattan (Wikipedia).
  • The service was attended by hundreds, including Mary J. Blige, Lil’ Kim, and Queen Latifah (The New York Times).
  • The total cost of the funeral has not been publicly disclosed (Find a Grave).
The upshot

The funeral payment myth reveals how fans project loyalty narratives onto celebrity relationships. In reality, Biggie’s estate — worth $10 million at his death — had the resources to cover the costs, despite rumors to the contrary.

The implication: Misinformation about Biggie’s funeral persists because it fits a compelling story about loyalty and betrayal. For fans and investors interested in his legacy, separating these myths from financial reality matters when evaluating estate value.

Timeline: Biggie Smalls’ life

  • May 21, 1972: Born in Brooklyn, New York (Biography)
  • 1992: Signed to Uptown Records (HotNewHipHop)
  • 1993: Signed to Bad Boy Records by Sean Combs (HotNewHipHop)
  • 1994: Released debut album Ready to Die (HotNewHipHop)
  • 1995: Won Billboard Music Award for Rap Artist of the Year (Billboard)
  • March 9, 1997: Murdered in Los Angeles (Biography)
  • 1997: Posthumous album Life After Death released (Grunge)

“The Notorious B.I.G. is widely regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time.”

Wikipedia biographical summary

“Biggie’s estate is now worth an estimated $160 million, driven by posthumous releases and licensing.”

Harrison Estate Law estate analysis

“At the time of his death, Biggie’s net worth was approximately $10 million.”

HotNewHipHop financial report

Clarity section

Confirmed facts

  • Born May 21, 1972 in Brooklyn, NY (Biography)
  • Real name Christopher George Latore Wallace (Biography)
  • Murdered on March 9, 1997 (Biography)
  • Had two children (Harrison Estate Law)
  • Net worth at death: $10 million (HotNewHipHop)
  • Debut album Ready to Die released 1994 (HotNewHipHop)

What’s unclear

  • Who exactly paid for Biggie’s funeral (XXL)
  • Exact weight at death (estimates vary) (Healthline)
  • Identity of his killer (Biography)
  • Total value of his current estate remains disputed (Harrison Estate Law)
Additional sources

youtube.com, facebook.com, instagram.com

For a deeper look into the circumstances surrounding his death, readers can explore the unsolved murder case that continues to intrigue investigators.

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

What was Biggie Smalls’ real name?

His real name was Christopher George Latore Wallace, born May 21, 1972 in Brooklyn, New York (Biography).

How tall was Biggie Smalls?

Biggie Smalls was 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) tall (Wikipedia).

How much did Biggie Smalls weigh?

At the time of his death, Biggie Smalls weighed approximately 300 lbs (136 kg), though estimates vary (Healthline).

What were Biggie Smalls’ last words?

Biggie’s last words are reported to have been “Let’s get out of here” or similar, but multiple accounts differ and the exact words are unconfirmed (Biography).

Was Biggie Smalls’ father Jamaican?

Biggie’s father, Selwyn George Latore, was of Jamaican descent. He left the family when Biggie was young, and Biggie was raised by his mother, Voletta Wallace, a Jamaican-American preschool teacher (Biography).

How many albums did Biggie Smalls release?

Biggie released one studio album during his lifetime (Ready to Die, 1994) and one posthumous album (Life After Death, 1997), along with several compilation albums (Wikipedia discography).

What is Biggie Smalls’ most famous song?

“Juicy” is widely regarded as Biggie’s most famous song, though “Hypnotize,” “Big Poppa,” and “Mo Money Mo Problems” are also major hits (Billboard).

Related reading

For fans of hip-hop history and investors in music catalog rights, the choice is clear: Biggie’s legacy is a case study in how talent, tragedy, and smart estate management can turn a short career into a long-term asset. The myths will persist, but the verified facts — birth, death, children, and net worth — remain the foundation of his enduring story.