Christopher Wallace

Blerd Appreciation: The Notorious B.I.G.

by MJ on Mar 9, 2012 • 1 Comment

Remembering the Notorious B.I.G. on the 15th anniversary of his death.

The Top 40 Emcees of All Time: #4 and #3

by MJ on Jun 25, 2011 • 3 Comments

I know, I know, I’m drawing this out. But #1 is within striking distance! Check out #5 and #6 here , and let’s keep it moving!! 4) KRS-ONE Representing: The South Bronx! South South Bronx! There’s no question that Kris Parker was one of the men who changed the game in 1987-1988 when hip-hop went out of the Adidas/brag rhyming era into something a little more lyrically complex. Truth be told, there were some compelling reasons to place him at #1. […]

Blerd (Court) Briefs: MJ and Biggie

by MJ on Jan 14, 2011 • No Comments

Blerd Briefs / hip-hop / news / Pop Music / soul music

It’s been almost fourteen years since The Notorious B.I.G. was gunned down in Los Angeles, and no arrests have been made in his murder. However, that might change soon. An anonymous source divulged to CNN that the investigation had been “reinvigorated”, and I’m curious to know what the new leads are. There have been several excellent books and films that have attempted to dissect what went on that night, and it would certainly be news to the ears of Biggie’s […]

One for Biggie and Brooklyn

by MJ on May 21, 2010 • 2 Comments

hip-hop / music / pop culture

Today would have been Christopher Wallace’s 38th birthday. Obviously, B.I.G.’s murder thirteen years ago (THIRTEEN YEARS!!) robbed the world of an A-class rapper, someone who quite possibly could have gone on to be the greatest emcee of all time (not like Lil Wayne “Greatest Rapper Alive” hype talk…I mean, seriously) and someone who is still, with a 2-album body of work, is in my all-time Top Five. But it’s interesting to wonder what would have happened if B.I.G. had actually […]

Blerd Appreciation: B.I.G. Forever

by MJ on Mar 9, 2010 • 2 Comments

Blerd Appreciation / hip-hop / music / pop culture / R.I.P.

A lot of things go into making a great emcee. You’ve got to have a great delivery, a unique voice, a strong vocabulary, the ability to create an impactful punchline or a memorable verse, emotional resonance (or just plain old heart), charisma, and you’ve got to have good narrative skills. A truly legendary emcee possesses all of those traits, and there are only a handful of rappers who can rate near the top of all of those categories: The Notorious […]