Musicians & Composers · 20th Century

The Notorious B.I.G.’s Last Words

May 21, 1972 March 9, 1997 Age 24 American
Unknown — he died at the scene.
— The Notorious B.I.G., March 9, 1997

Who Was The Notorious B.I.G.?

The Notorious B.I.G. (Christopher Wallace) was one of the greatest rappers in hip-hop history, known for his rich storytelling, flow, and complex rhymes on albums Ready to Die and Life After Death.

The Final Moments

Biggie was shot in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles while leaving the Soul Train Music Awards. He died at the scene — just six months after Tupac's murder. His murder also remains unsolved.

Are These Words Verified?

✓ High Confidence

Official records confirm Biggie was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He never regained consciousness after the shooting and no last words were recorded.

Sources

  • archive LAPD incident reports
  • archive Autopsy report, Los Angeles
  • biography Cheo Hodari Coker biography

Legacy

Biggie's rivalry and friendship with Tupac defined an era of hip-hop. Life After Death was released two weeks after his murder and debuted at number one.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What were The Notorious B.I.G.’s last words?

“Unknown — he died at the scene.”

How did The Notorious B.I.G. die?

The Notorious B.I.G. died on March 9, 1997 at the age of 24. Cause of death: Multiple gunshot wounds.

Were The Notorious B.I.G.’s last words documented?

Official records confirm Biggie was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He never regained consciousness after the shooting and no last words were recorded.