Christopher George Latore Wallace, known by his stage names Biggie Smalls, The Notorious B.I.G., or simply Biggie, was an American rapper widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all time. At a time when West Coast hip hop was dominating the mainstream, his debut album Ready to Die (1994) was a critical and commercial success. The album not only established him as a leading figure in East Coast hip hop but also helped bring renewed visibility to New York City’s presence in the genre. The following year, his protégé group Junior M.A.F.I.A., composed of childhood friends, released their debut album Conspiracy, which achieved chart success. Biggie was acclaimed for his dark, semi-autobiographical lyrics and exceptional storytelling ability. He found fame at a young age, becoming the top-selling male solo rapper in the United States. However, his career was overshadowed by the growing East Coast–West Coast hip hop rivalry. He was tragically murdered by an unidentified assailant in Los Angeles in 1997. Just sixteen days after his death, his double-disc album Life After Death was released. The album debuted at No. 1 on the U.S. charts and was later certified Diamond by the RIAA.