In the tumultuous landscape of 1990s hip-hop, the names Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. loom large. Their friendship, marked by moments of camaraderie and collaboration, ultimately became overshadowed by tragedy, as both iconic figures met untimely deaths in a series of events that shook the rap world to its core.
Born in East Harlem, New York, in 1972, Tupac Shakur, also known as 2Pac, rose to prominence as a rapper, actor, and activist. His raw lyricism and unapologetic delivery captivated audiences, earning him widespread acclaim. Similarly, The Notorious B.I.G., born Christopher Wallace in Brooklyn in 1972, emerged as one of the most influential figures in rap music. With his distinctive flow and vivid storytelling, he garnered a devoted following and solidified his status as a rap legend.
Despite their different upbringings and stylistic approaches, Tupac and Biggie shared a deep bond rooted in their love for hip-hop and their experiences navigating the turbulent streets of America's urban centers. Their friendship blossomed in the early 1990s when both artists were on the rise in the rap scene. They collaborated on tracks such as "Runnin' (Dying to Live)" and "Let's Get It On," showcasing their chemistry and mutual respect.
However, their relationship was not without its challenges. As tensions escalated between East Coast and West Coast hip-hop communities, Tupac found himself embroiled in a feud with Biggie's Bad Boy Records label, led by Sean "Diddy" Combs. The rivalry, fueled by a combination of personal animosity and underlying industry politics, intensified with diss tracks and public confrontations.
The turning point came in 1994 when Tupac was shot multiple times in a robbery at Quad Recording Studios in Manhattan. Although he survived the attack, Tupac believed that Biggie and Diddy were somehow involved, deepening the rift between the two camps. Tupac's subsequent incarceration only exacerbated the situation, as he publicly accused Biggie of betrayal and disloyalty.
The feud reached its tragic climax on the night of September 7, 1996, when Tupac was fatally shot in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas. His death sent shockwaves throughout the music world, leaving fans mourning the loss of a visionary artist and sparking speculation about the involvement of rival factions.
Just six months later, on March 9, 1997, the rap world was rocked once again when The Notorious B.I.G. was gunned down in a similar manner in Los Angeles. His murder, occurring in the midst of ongoing tensions between East and West Coast rap circles, fueled conspiracy theories and further deepened the sense of grief and loss felt by fans worldwide.
In the aftermath of their deaths, the legacies of Tupac and Biggie endure as symbols of artistic brilliance and unfulfilled potential. Their influence transcends the boundaries of hip-hop, shaping the cultural landscape and inspiring future generations of artists. From Tupac's introspective musings on societal injustice to Biggie's vivid depictions of street life, their music continues to resonate with audiences around the globe.
Moreover, their tragic deaths served as a wake-up call for the hip-hop community, prompting reflections on the destructive nature of violence and the importance of unity and solidarity. In the years following their passing, efforts have been made to honor their memory and preserve their contributions to the genre, from posthumous album releases to documentaries exploring their lives and legacies.
Ultimately, the friendship between Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. stands as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the power of artistic expression to transcend differences and connect people across time and space. While their lives were cut short in a wave of senseless violence, their spirits live on through the timeless music they left behind, ensuring that their voices will never be silenced.
In 2006, following Biggie Smalls’ mother’s request to have his murder case reopened, LAPD detective Greg Karding uncovered fresh evidence that connected Diddy to Tupac’s death. Based on the widely held belief that the police covered up her son’s death, Voletta Wallace, the mother of Biggie Smalls, filed a lawsuit against the LAPD for an estimated $500 million, which set the stage for the recent discovery in the 2pac murder case. As a result, in 2006, the case was revived and given to Greg Karding.
First of all, according to Detective Karding, there was a connection between Tupac and Notorious B.I.G.’s murders. While looking into Biggie’s death, he learned additional details that connected the two cases. Detective Greg Karding concluded, after three years of investigation, that Sean Puff Daddy Combs, after his highly known rap fight with Biggie, put a $1 million hit on both Tupac Shakur and Suge Knight. Karding says the music mogul hired Crips member Duane Keith (Keffe D) Davis to carry out the hit because he had close gang contacts in Los Angeles.
According to Karding, Orlando (Baby Lane) Anderson, a member of the Crips gang, killed Tupac. He claims that although Keffe was scheduled to execute the initial hit, plans were abruptly altered when they unexpectedly drew up on the incorrect side of Tupac’s car. Consequently, Keffe’s nephew executed the hit in its place, killing Tupac and wounding Suge Knight. Biggie Smalls’ wife, Faith Evans, is said to have been aware of Diddy’s plan to assassinate Tupac. Keffe D says he called Diddy and Evans after the West Coast rapper was killed to inform them that they were to blame for the tragedy.
Detective Karding claims that Biggie was not involved in Tupac’s death, despite their well-known rap animosity. B.I.G. was also not aware of Diddy’s plans to kill Shakur’s manager, Suge Knight. After narrowly escaping death in Tupac’s assassination, Death Row Records owner Suge Knight went out to hire a Bloods gang member to kill The Notorious B.I.G. in retribution. Biggie was shot and killed by the hitman as he was leaving a VIBE magazine-hosted party and making his way home. Fascinatingly, Knight attended the same school as hired hitman Keffe D and witnessed Tupac’s killer. Wardell Poochie Fouse, a member of the Bloods gang, is said to have killed Biggie after receiving $13,000 from Suge Knight. Karding claims that Poochie shot Biggie’s car when they were trying to leave the party they were both at. Later, Biggie passed away en route to the hospital.
Despite a thorough investigation, the case was dropped when Biggie’s mother Voletta Wallace’s $500 million lawsuit was successfully contested by the LAPD. It has been claimed that Wardell Poochie Fouse and Orlando Baby Lane Anderson passed away from seemingly unconnected circumstances. So even if the accusations were true, the guys who were directly responsible for Biggie and Tupac’s deaths are no longer around to suffer the consequences.