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Created by The Core DJ's Jul 6, 2014 at 4:18pm. Last updated by The Core DJ's Jul 6, 2014.

12 years after his untimely passing the movie serves as a reminder of how fortunate I am to have been part of his career in real time.

Breakfast of champions of rap

It inspired me to pull out some of my photos from the ’90s, from a time I am so blessed to have lived and worked in; a decade that gave us hip-hop’s golden era. I found the photos of BIG in this note, and reconnected to a time when hip-hop had purpose; had a sense of humor; had much more respect for its women (and indeed a chorus of female voices to boot); had a hunger for innovation that eclipsed its need for shine. Hip-hop’s commitment to being dope is what turned the spotlight on her in the first place. BIG represents that for me. An inrcedible lyricist and magnetic personality who could not be denied, who brought the shine to him.

He visited me with Cease at GAVIN four days before his last. Our interview didn’t feel like one at all. We all laughed as the two of them played the dozens over salmon croquettes, eggs, and yes-Welch’s grape. I ordered in because of the tension that BIG being in the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Area, Tupac’s first Cali home, meant back then. He had so much security; traveled in an unmarked van. So many times I think back on that day, wishing security had been as tight in the LA as it was in the Bay. He loved the energy of the Bay, too, because the Bay was always more inclined toward hip-hop unity in diversity than its SoCal counterpart. When Ricky Leigh called me at 4am on March 9, 1997, none of the competition, none of the beef, none of the parties, none of the bullshit mattered. Hip-hop’s collective heart was broken for the second time in six months.


KMEL Dream Team: including Michelle S., Foxy Brown, Joey Arbagey, Franzen Wong, Latin Prince, Sway
He rose from the table, grabbed his cane (he was recovering from a car accident), snapped some pictures with me, bear hugged me and went on to KMEL and WILD, where he gave the infamous final radio interview caught on video. We saw each other again at the album listening event held by BMG distribution. And listening to that album was like hearing greatness pour thorough speakers.

One thing I have yet to find is the “Life After Death” buyway he autographed for me at the BMG mixer. I remember what it said though: “To Thembisa, thank you for being different.”

Biggie, thank you for being you.

Doin' it BIG

By Thembisa Mshaka, Author of Put Your Dreams First: Handle Your [entertainment] Business Pre-Order Now and Save 30% on www.amazon.com In Stores April 23rd.
For interviews and appearances, contact Tmor 646.523.5711, tmizy@optonline.net

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Comment by Da Boss DJ Jo Corleone on March 10, 2009 at 1:06am
THat was a damn good write up Ma. What I loved most about B.I. is that through his music and through all the articles I've read about him he was so personal and really let us into his world that I felt like I knew him. Like he was the homie from around the way that I might bump into every now and then.

Your write up provided that same feel B.I.G. ups to you. And what a blessing that you were able to build with him.
Comment by Bradley Walker on March 9, 2009 at 1:40pm
So young and talented. RIP, Biggie
Comment by AZONA THA-PRODUCER-SLA-YER on March 9, 2009 at 12:46pm
i love biggie so much i did this because i think hip hop is about unity enjoy.
Comment by NEW LADY LUCK MUSIK on March 9, 2009 at 11:59am
RIP BIGGIE. IM GLAD I GOT THE CHANCE TO SIT WITH YOU
Comment by DJ Goodnight on March 9, 2009 at 11:44am
Its a shame that 12 years later we have no info on the death of the late Christopher Wallace. We need to be vigilant in making sure we find out who killed the King....

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