Music

Sky’s the Limit
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Biggie flashing the iconic Jesus Piece.

“The only Christopher we acknowledge is Wallace.” – Jay Z

(That is a shot at Christopher Columbus, and a praise for his man Biggie Smalls, also known by his government name of Christopher Wallace. Jay Z always has been a master of the double-entendre.)

That being said, it’s Biggie’s born day today (May 21st)! Everybody knows I worship the other guy, you know, the one with the “Thug Life” tattoo on his stomach. But I have just as much appreciation and love for The Notorious B.I.G., Big Poppa, the black Frank White (watch the movie King of New York to understand this nickname).

This man had so much style: he’s the creator of the iconic jewellery known as the “Jesus Piece,” (pictured above). His rhymes were so simple yet so complex. He was THE master of the subliminal (the art of insulting someone without directly uttering their name), and it wasn’t even close.

When I think of him, there’s a distinct imagery that comes to mind:  the Jesus piece jewellery (of course), Coogi sweaters, Versace shades, Timberland shoes, Brooklyn, and a walking cane. His rap abilities are a no-brainer. You know you’re a legend when this happens: You’ve only released two official studio albums (the second one released a mere two weeks after his death in 1997), and you’ve been gone for more than twenty years, but people are still unanimously considering you the greatest.

Always well put together, Biggie represented the cool, smooth, slick style of New York City. Jay Z (and pretty much every New Yorker) is the same way, and it’s no coincidence he was a very close friend of Biggie.

As a dedicated Tupac supporter, I can be extremely stubborn when it comes to having a discussion, about who is the greatest rapper of all time. What I mean by stubborn, is that I’m usually not even willing to listen to someone, if they try to make a case for a rapper you can’t make a case for. But if it’s Biggie, Nas, Jay Z, Eminem, Ice Cube, Drake or Kendrick Lamar, we can have a discussion. Everyone is entitled to their opinion at the end of the day though, and this is a subjective debate that really doesn’t mean s**t. Still you have to know how to come correct, and this example proves it.

I’m feeling generous on his birthday, so here’s a video of the ten reasons Biggie is better than Tupac. Because of how influential both of them were on the rap game, their iconic but different styles, their unsolved tragic deaths, and the serious problem one had with the other, Biggie and Tupac’s fates are forever tied to one another. Who says Biggie says Pac.

Biggie has so many good songs that it’s impossible to pick one that is the best. He has songs of every variety, from biographical to feel-good (and show-offy). But my personal favourite and one I would recommend, is song number eight on disc two of his second (and last) studio album. The song is called “Sky’s the Limit,” and in it he talks about how desperately he wanted to be successful. So bad that he sowed “tigers on my shirt, and alligators…” The song also has an intro that may or may not make me emotional every time I hear it. I’m very big on intros, and this one did it for me. Happy Birthday Biggie, may you rest in peace forever.

 

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