The Notorious B.I.G., born Christopher George Latore Wallace, was an American rapper from Brooklyn, New York, regarded as one of the defining figures of 1990s hip-hop. His style stood out for its smooth, precise flow, vivid storytelling and lyrics blending street narratives, ambition, dark humor and introspection. With albums such as Ready to Die and Life After Death, he became one of the most influential artists in East Coast rap and a central figure in hip-hop history.