The Notorious B.I.G. – What You (Maybe) Didn’t Know About the American Rap Legend of the 90s

March 1 – I Got a Story to Tell. Let’s retrace together some stages of The Notorious B.I.G.’s troubled but incredible life.
By the name Christopher George Latore Wallace, he was one of the most influential rappers in the history of music worldwide.
Also known as Biggie or Biggie Smalls, he was born in Brooklyn on May 21, 1972.
Although his mother tried to protect him and keep him away from that criminal atmosphere, Biggie soon fell into the circle of crime. Drug dealing and arms trafficking were commonplace for him and his group of friends.
That’s why, in the early 1990s, he was arrested and taken to prison, where he spent nine months.

A turning point in The Notorious BIG’s life

It is just in that period that something happened, finally a turning point in his life.
Some of his demos fall into the hands of Sean Combs (Puff Daddy), a record producer, who got him into his new music label Bad Boys Records.
Success is around the corner. With the remix of the single Real Love, and with that of What’s the 411?, a wave of popularity overwhelmed Wallace.
From now on, he’s gonna go by the name of Notorious B.I.G. On September 13, 1994, his first solo album Ready to die was released. As a result, he won the title of Rapper of the Year at the Billboard Awards.
Many hits contained within this CD, among which Juicy, Big Poppa and One More Chance.

Junior M.A.F.I.A.

Biggie Smalls decided to create a band with some of his childhood friends: Junior M.A.F.I.A. The backronym M.A.F.I.A. stands for Masters At Finding Intelligent Attitudes. 
On august 1995, they released their debut album Conspiracy.

The Notorious B.I.G and Tupac

During this period, Biggie, together with Tupac Shakur, became a focal point in the known feud between East and West Coast.
Although the two were friends in the past, accusations, attacks, and dissing were not lacking.
On September 7, 1996, Tupac was injured in a shooting near Notorious’ recording studio.
The undisputed West Coast rapper will die six days later, and Biggie will be accused of being involved in the murder, but he was never tried for it.

The Last Album

At the beginning of 1997, the publishing house released his new album Life After Death, finding a remarkable success.
A few days before the scheduled date for the recording of a new single, 9 March, Biggie, after attending a party in Hollywood, was killed by 4 gunshots.
With him goes a piece of music history, a rap legend that will find no equal in the future.

Versace Iconic Sunglasses

Still today, many fans want to take with them a memory of this great artist, as the iconic Versace Biggie Sunglasses, become a must of his style.
Not many people know that Notorious B.I.G. and Donatella Versace had a close relationship: he often attended her fashion shows, and he was one of the first to spread all over the world the Italian brand.
These sunglasses irregularly shaped with a gold Medusa design on temples, are perfect for both men and women who want to give their look a touch of unique style, remembering the famous rapper.

In addition to the classic Biggie sunglasses we just mentioned, three other brand new versions have been released that echo the initial model. One is the Versace VE2235 Biggie – bold slim shaped lenses and wide temples finished with a gold Medusa plaque. Another version is the Versace VE4424u – inspired by ’90s hip-hop culture, these sunglasses feature a square shape that is highlighted by tone-on-tone gradient lenses. Last but not least, VE4425u with an acetate frame and wide temples finished with Medusa gold details. 

Take a look on our site LookerOnline and choose your favourite! Try them also in fluorescent versions: orange, pink, yellow and green.

Would you like to keep updated with all the latest fashion trends and news from the eyewear world? Make sure you visit LookerOnline’s blog and follow us on Instagram and Facebook for ideas and inspiration on your style!