March 9 of each year Hip-Hop laments the loss of one of its most prolific MCs in Christopher “Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace. And while tomorrow marks the 16th anniversary of the Brooklyn native’s death, we here at Hip- HopWired recall one of his greatest strengths and a large reason why he remains one of the game’s most heralded artists: his ability to create a certified anthem. With Sean “Diddy” Combs (then Puff Daddy) by his side, it’s no wonder that Biggie was one of a few artists who could repeatedly release heaters that moved crowds from Kalamazoo to the infamous Tunnel night club in New York City. On the same token, B.I.G. built his career and fan base with tracks that spoke to the street cats that held down the corners. The King of New York clearly had the “it” factor; he was the perfect mixture of talent and bravado. We saw him rise to prominence because of his lyrical skill, but the true magic came after his tragic death, when fans got to see how his music would withstand the testament of time. Even in 2013, The Notorious B.I.G.‘s music evokes a spirit that takes you back to the golden era of Hip-Hop, when Bad Boy and others reigned supreme. Whether it was his track, a song that he penned, or a feature verse, Frank White was the pound for pound anthem champion once upon a time. Check out the list below to see his top 15. — Photo: MTV
