The Notorious B.I.G.

Rumors of Biggie's possible involvement in the murder cropped up almost immediately. It was in the Billboard Top Ten chart for over 34 weeks and earned triple-platinum status, along the way spawning such hits as "I Won't Back Down," "Free Fallin'" and "Runnin' Down A Dream.". The second of these shootings was fatal, taking place in Las Vegas, where Tupac had been watching a boxing match. Mike Campbell co-produced the album with Petty and Jeff Lynne of Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). This feud hung over a period of highly publicized rap violence that began with two shootings in which Shakur was the victim. Though nominally a solo project, other Heartbreakers and well-known musicians participated in the album's production. This rivalry existed between Biggie and Death Row rap superstar Tupac Shakur, a New York City native, who relocated to Los Angeles and Death Row Records because of the feud. In 1989, Tom Petty released Full Moon Fever.

Although Ready to Die brought massive fame to Biggie, he is most famed for his somewhat overplayed and ultimately tragic involvement in rap's most famous feud between the East and West Coast scenes. It includes "jammin' Me," a song which Petty wrote with Dylan. "One More Chance," which sampled the R&B song "Stay With Me," was a remix of the song by the same name that originally appeared on Ready to Die.. In 1987, the group released Let Me Up (I've Had Enough), a studio album that sounds as if it was recorded live, a technique they borrowed from Bob Dylan. That same year, B.I.G.'s single One More Chance debuted at #5 on the Pop Charts, tying Scream/Childhood as the highest debut single in music history. Their live capabilities were put to the test when Bob Dylan invited Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers to join him on his True Confessions-tour through the US, Australia, Japan ('86) and Europe ('87). That same year saw the mainstream introduction of Biggie's labelmates Lil' Kim and Lil' Caesar by the rap star. A successful concert tour led to the live album Pack Up The Plantation-Live! (1985).

(Junior Masters At Finding Intelligent Attitudes) released the album Conspiracy. The album includes the hit single "Don't Come Around Here No More" which was produced by Dave Stewart (The Eurythmics). In 1995, Biggie's new group Junior M.A.F.I.A. The recording was not without problems - Petty became frustrated during the mixing process and broke his left hand after punching it through a wall. The album features one of rap's most famous playa anthems, the song "Big Poppa." Biggie's album drew critical acclaim for its vivid story-telling and razor-sharp lyricism, such as "They don't know about the stress filled day/Baby on the way, mad bills to pay/That's why you drink tanqueray/So you can reminisce and wish/You wasn't living so devilish." The album is considered by many to be one of the best and most hardcore hip-hop albums of all time. On their come-back album Southern Accents (1985) Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers picked up where they left off. Ready to Die is regarded as one of hip-hop's all-time classic albums. However, frontman Tom Petty had problems coping with the stress and success and decided to slow things down.

Blige on What's the 411?, then released Ready to Die, his debut album, in 1994. On their fifth album Long After Dark (1982) bass player Ron Blair was replaced by Howie Epstein, giving The Heartbreakers their final line-up. He first gained notice for working with Mary J. 'Damn The Torpedoes' was followed by the unsuccessful but critically acclaimed Hard Promises (1981). In his lyrics, Biggie also referred to himself under the alias Frank White (taken from the 1990 movie King of New York starring Christopher Walken). It includes "Refugee", their US breakthrough single. Christopher Wallace (May 21, 1972 - March 9, 1997), also known as Biggie Smalls (after a stylish gangster in the 1975 comedy, Let's Do it Again), but best known as The Notorious B.I.G. (Business Instead of Game)., was a popular Brooklyn-born rapper of the mid-1990s. After the dispute was settled, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers released their third album 'Damn The Torpedoes' (1979) that rapidly became triple-platinum.

Born Again (Bad Boy Records, 1999). He held fast to his principles for a long nine months, which eventually leaded to him filing for bankruptcy. Life After Death (Bad Boy Records, 1997). Petty refused to be simply transferred to another record label without his consent. Ready to Die (Bad Boy Records, 1995). Marking the band's first gold album, it features the singles "Listen To Her Heart" and "I Need To Know." Shortly after its release the band was dragged into a legal dispute when ABC Record, Shelter's mother company, was sold to MCA Records. Download sample of "Niggas Bleed" from Life After Death. Their 1978's second album You're Gonna Get It! proved the debut album's intensity was no fluke.

Still, it took America a full year to catch up to the album. "Breakdown" was re-released to radio and became a Top 40 hit in 1977 after word filtered back the band was creating a firestorm over in England. Petty did not have any musical aspirations before Elvis Presley visited his hometown. After working with his early bands The Sundowners, The Epics, and Mudcrutch (which also included future Heartbreakers members Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench) he began his recording career with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers when the band broke onto the national music scene with their 1976 self-titled debut album. Thomas Earl Petty (born October 20, 1953 in Gainesville, Florida) is an American musician. " Nirvana to me was the most significant thing since the Beatles.".

Some days are rocks.". "Some days are diamonds. It became her new religion.". "And she made a vow to have it all.

"I don't mind workin', but I'm scared to suffer". Coming down is the hardest thing.". "I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings. The young 'uns call it country, the yankees call it dumb.".

"There's a southern accent, where I come from. I'm not afraid of you runnin' away honey, Iv'e got this feeling you won't.". "It's alright if you love me, It's alright if you don't. "I slept in your treehouse, my middle name is 'Earl'.".

You see you don't have to live like a refugee.". "Everybody's had to fight to be free. 1976 Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. 1977 You're Gonna Get It!.

1979 Damn the Torpedoes. 1981 Hard Promises. 1982 Long after Dark. 1985 Southern Accents.

1993 Greatest Hits. 1994 Wildflowers (solo). 1995 Playback (6-CD boxed set). 1996 She's the One (soundtrack).

1999 Echo. 2000 Anthology - Through The Years. 2002 The Last DJ.