Notorious a B.I.G. success

The end of the Notorious B.I.G.’s story is already widely known — a young rapper is gunned down at the age of 24 in Los Angeles — less than a year after the death of another rapper Tupac Shakur with whom the entire East Coast/West Coast rap wars are reputed to be about.

Notorious begins with B.I.G.’s death so that it can tackle his life. The storyline quickly goes to Brooklyn in the 80s. Biggie, then known as Christopher Wallace, is a chubby scholar raised in a single-parent home. Fast forward ten years, and Wallace is chasing his own version of the American Dream. He trades good grades for life as a drug dealer and teenage father. His rap skills are hinted at, but are not a major part of his character, yet.

Eventually, his short-lived career as a drug dealer lands him in prison. It is this time spent behind bars where he develops his skills as a rapper. Upon his release he records a demo that lands into the hands of Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs and he is offered a record deal. His budding rap career is jeopardized when a drug deal to an undercover police officer lands him–and childhood friend and fellow drug dealer– D-Roc in jail. D-Roc takes the wrap in order for B.I.G. to pursue his dreams.

From this sacrifice the Bad Boy Empire of the mid-90s was born. It is here where the notorious parts of B.I.G.’s life are explored: the friendship with Tupac that evolved into the media generated east coast/ west coast feud, the love triangle between Big, Lil Kim and his wife Faith Evans, and his painful journey from a boy to man.

The actors’ portrayals of complex characters are what make the film feel so authentic. Jamal “Gravy” Woolard became Biggie. He reportedly gained 60 pounds and took voice lessons at Julliard to achieve Biggie’s asthma-tinged speech. Faith Evans—played by Antonique Smith—is a dead ringer for Faith -Evans. And Derek Luke nails Puff Daddy’s over-the-top swagger and dance moves.

Notorious succeeds in that it does not focus on the fascination with his untimely death, but rather the people and experiences that shaped a too short life. This story successfully adds the beginning and middle to story in which we already know the end. - Raena Boston

Runtime: 100 minutes
Rating: R
Grade: A