Edd’s MANtra: Another B.I.G. Anniversary

Wow, it’s been 14 years since I nonchalantly glanced at the front page of my local newspaper and spied a blurb reporting on the death of the Notorious B.I.G. Learning that the greatest rapper of all time was gunned down was a horrible day to start your day.


Yes, Biggie Smalls was unquestionably the greatest rapper ever. Sorry 2Pac fans. And I won’t even acknowledge you Lil Wayne fans – go get your learner’s permit and pick up your prom pictures, then we can talk.


But I digress.


Every wannabe hip hop historian likely can identify March 9, 1997 as the day Biggie Smalls was killed. But does anyone besides me know that Biggie was born May 21?


I’ll admit, I cheated. Even I didn’t know that. Google is my friend.


I find it oddly morbid that we celebrate one’s life on the day it tragically ended. Maybe it’s a coping mechanism, or perhaps the date resonates with us more easily since we witnessed the aftermath.


Or maybe I’m thinking about this too much. Wipe the tears from your eyes and celebrate the greatest rapper of all time.





Do you think celebrities should be remembered on their birthdays, or on the days they left us?