March 9th

March 9th has once again dropped on us....another anniversary for us to remember my main man B.I.G. I was on Twitter today and there was an ignorant comment made by this mostly cool dude that I know....rash statements about why Big wasn't the best because he "only made two hot albums and then had some bad luck". It amazes me how this useless debate comes up every year. While it may be a personal opinion, March 9th really isn't the time to argue online, or anywhere else for that matter, about who's the "best". THERE IS NO BEST! While hip hop has always been and always will be a competitive "sport", what makes Big's legacy so powerful and potent twelve years later (12years!!!!) was HIS INFLUENCE. There can be no blind denial that Big's style, clever wordplay, and "everyman" appeal still resonate in hip hop music to this day. He has been venerated. Imitated. Hated. His rhymes have been quoted, bitten, and downright jacked by so many emcees, rappers, and wannabees so many times it would make your head spin if you actually thought about it. Christopher Wallace brought storytelling and wit back to the game, and many people say when he died the baton was passed to people like Jay-Z , Nas, Mos Def, etc. I would fill up too many pages making a list of people who either loved or hated Big for some reason...and that proves my point. He left us way too early, but while he was here he made an undeniable mark on this planet. We can sat the same thing about Tupac Shakur, without a doubt. But this isn't about 2Pac. Today is March 9th.

So today remember Biggie. CELEBRATE HIS LIFE, DON'T DEBATE IT. Play your albums and mixtapes, break out your old Source mags if you got em, and maybe light a candle. Remember how it was back when....and then make yourself a promise to live life to the fullest...because you never know when it's gonna be your time. Live your best life every single day, and do your thing. If anything, I learned that on this day back in 1997.

"Ain't no stopping/Big Poppa/I'M A BAD BOY......."

We miss you B.I.G.

K. Smalls