Live the phrase “Sky’s The Limit”

13 years ago today, Christopher Wallace was gunned down in L.A. Aged just 24 hip-hop lost its most charismatic and naturally gifted talent. One yet to be replaced. Jay-Z is Jay-Z, he had to fight against not having a great voice, he had to fight against not wanting to be a star, he had to fight against a general lack of interest in his early years. He fought through those struggles to become the greatest of all time, but on the flip-side of the coin is Biggie Smalls, the only man who could ever be mentioned in the same breath as him. School friends, the two appeared on each other's albums and were even rumoured to have formed a super-group prior to Biggie's death. Wallace had a perfect voice, he was born to be a star and everywhere he went, he gained fans. A true behemoth, one unlikely to be repeated.

Biggie Smalls had the greatest voice of any rapper ever, he was totally uninhibited musically, applying melodies well outside his vocal range to charming and beautiful aplomb, his wheezy flow oozed character and soul. BIG didn't lack in any performance aspect, truly the only rapper of all time to have been blessed in that respect. His feud with Tupac is more legend than fact at this point, but what must be considered is that when the two were at the height of their powers, they were in their early 20s, changing popular culture and music history effortlessly with pure energy. An incredible thought when you take into account the quality and quantity of work they left behind.

There are still some who are yet to discover the genius and beauty of Biggie Smalls' two albums and I implore those people to do so today. Forget the books, the documentaries, the movies, the cheap laminated posters in the market. 'Ready To Die' and 'Life After Death' are masterpieces and the message behind the words of Christopher Wallace have the power to inspire and amuse to this day.

Sewing Tigers in my shirt and Alligators. You wanna see the inside? Huh! I'll see you later.

Live the phrase "Sky's The Limit" Rest In Peace Biggie Smalls.