It's been 19 years since the Notorious B.I.G., AKA Biggie Smalls, AKA Christopher Wallace, was brutally murdered. The face of East Coast gangster rap, Smalls changed the musical landscape forever. His unsolved murder at the age of 24 (and the ongoing conspiracy theories and rumors surrounding it) is a side note to what was a profoundly influential and utterly unforgettable career.

In honor of his legacy on the anniversary of his death, here are some of the Notorious B.I.G.'s greatest performances. His talent and artistry continue to have a profound impact on music, nearly 20 years after his death.

Great Beginnings

Biggie Smalls was only 22 when this recording was filmed, yet you can already see he's a consummate professional. His smooth style, smart lyrics and inarguable onstage presence make this a memorable performance—and hint at the even greater musical triumphs on the horizon.

Truly Unbelievable



Biggie performed in Atlanta back in 1994 alongside producer and fellow rapper Sean 'Puffy' Combs (later known as P. Diddy). The dynamic duo were a force to be reckoned with, onstage and off—and not always met with approval. Tupac Shakur and Suge Knight openly derided and criticized the two, which certainly didn't help the East Coast/West Coast rivalry already brewing. When this was filmed, Combs was a fresh-faced 25-year-old who was already a big shot in the music industry and working alongside some of the most talented artists in the business. It was the beginning of a long and successful career that continues to this day—and through it all, Combs has never forgotten the friend he lost all those years ago.

I Love The '90s



While Biggie Smalls has become an icon whose work stands the test of time, it's somewhat surreal to see just what the Nineties looked like. The clubs, the technology, and the clothes all seem like throwbacks to a bygone era. The realization that it's been over 20 years since this footage was filmed (it was recorded back in 1995) is a sobering one. It seems like only yesterday we were rocking out on our Walkman and showing off a new pair of acid-washed overalls.

Dark Times



Despite the fame and fortune that surrounded him, Biggie Smalls had a lot to worry about. With a new album due out and a wife and two small children to look after, the increasingly violent and often deadly rumbles between the East and West Coast rappers must have weighed heavily on his mind. This interview, recorded just days before his murder, shows an introspective and pensive Notorious B.I.G.—which has only added fuel to the rumors that he knew someone was targeting him.

Swan Song



Despite what the title says, this was not the last time the Notorious B.I.G. performed onstage—although it was the last time he ever rapped for the SoulTrain awards audience. In 1996, Biggie Smalls gave this memorable performance alongside Puff Daddy and Faith Evans. On May 7 1997, he appeared at the awards show as a presenter and was not nearly as well-received. The increasing hostilities between East and West Coast rappers (including Tupac Shakur, who had been gunned down a few months earlier) made the event particularly tense. Two days later Biggie Smalls, AKA Notorious B.I.G., was dead, and the world had lost a musical visionary.

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