The Netflix film documenting the life and career of The Notorious B.I.G. One of the most influential Hip Hop stars of the 20th century, with an everlasting legacy.
“That is all it was though, a dream. I never thought it would take place”, says Christopher Wallace aka Biggie Smalls aka The Notorious B.I.G, as he sums up his sudden rise to stardom, whilst seamlessly adjusting to his new celebrity life as if he were born for it. The rise of Hip Hop in the 1990s hit the decade like a pandemic, and whilst California was at its forefront, the up-and-coming Biggie Smalls was slowly moving up the ladder and firmly putting New York on the map as a major player in the rap game. Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell retells the story of the man himself; from his humble beginnings with his doting Mother, how his Jamaican heritage majorly impacted his career, and how the allure and glamour of a life of drug dealing, very nearly derailed his blossoming music career.
Director Emmet Malloy – known for directing mostly music videos in his career – structures the film with brilliant archive footage, which was shot my members of Biggie’s crew, opening us up to his inner workings; a visual diary of them touring, living, and having fun, something that often gets glossed over in Wallace’s life. To accompany the narrative, Malloy captures present day interviews with various associates of Wallace, as well as a rare interview with his beloved Mother who recounts her own life (her immigration to the US from Jamaica) among a variety of other topics. The film is again boosted by the sublime cinematography – shot by Malloy once again – as it takes us on a cinematic, symphonic tour of Brooklyn and the surrounding boroughs, as they are illuminated by the city lights as well as Biggies illuminating career.
The film opens poignantly with footage of Biggies funeral, as people flood the streets in remembrance for their fallen soldier, and his mother begins by sharing her feelings of sadness over her lost boy. The film delves into the title characters early life; from his summer vacations in Jamaica, exploring his roots and learning the culture – something that became a major influence in his career. The film explores how Biggie inherited his signature flow and rhythm, taking shape from Jazz music, as well as guidance from the neighbourhood saxophone guy. Rare interviews involving: his Grandma and Uncle, friends, and acquaintances as they reminisce over their beloved bother, it gives the film a nuance and shows how loved Wallace was by his peers. His Mother’s pregnancy and the identity of his Father become plot points and show how these moments helped shape Biggie’s life into what it was.
Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell also delves into the drug dealing lifestyle that Biggie had made his own, an easy way of getting money to fund his and his friends lavish lifestyles, offering him time to focus on his rap career. As one of his lyrics says, “Scarface, King of New York, I want to be it” alluding to his aspirations of being a fabled drug Kingpin. A path suited for many in this neighbourhood, but Biggie aspired for another type of royalty – the hip-hop King. With his fluid flow and flawless technique, the man was destined for great things in the industry, we see the development of his two albums (Ready to Die and Life after Death), two of the greatest rap albums of all time. As well as his blossoming relationship with hip-hop maestro P Diddy – or Puffy to his inner circle. All before a career destined for a godlike legacy was cut short during a visit to California in 1997.
The film is superbly made, woven together with its fantastic archive footage and interview combination, and finished with gorgeous establishing shots of the city. It offers up a unique, behind the scenes insight into the rapper’s life and career, like no other film has done before. Biggie is a Rap God, an urban myth among the streets, the murals across Brooklyn represent the eternal love that it, and its people have for him, something that will last forever. Malloy has done a fantastic job in exploring the man’s life with dignity and awe, making it a must watch for anyone and everyone, not just hip-hop fans.
Available to watch on Netflix now.
No Comment.