Wallace was raised in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. He is considered one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all time. Wallace is renowned for his loose and easy flow, dark semi-autobiographical lyrics and storytelling abilities. (formerly Biggie Smalls), was an American rapper from Brooklyn, New York. Hip hop, hardcore hip hop, East Coast hip hopĬhristopher George Latore Wallace (March 9, 1997), best known as The Notorious B.I.G.