Notorious B.I.G. Continues to Impact The "Dunkadelic-Era"

by Dunkadelic King23 | January 16, 2009 at 03:08 am

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Christopher Wallace a.k.a. Notorious B.I.G., Biggie Smalls the superstar rapper from Brooklyn, New York's Bedford-Stuyvesant section or better known as 'Bed-Stuy' has been considered one of the "Greatest Rappers" of all-time. He was born May 21, 1972 and died March 9, 1997.

Biggie's short but stellar career in the hip-hop culture would spread to the sporting arena as well, mainly basketball. The cultural fusion of basketball and hip-hop born in 1984 has had a strong bond within the urban community of hip-hop. Many rap artists have played or have a love affair with the game, and the same can be said by b-ballers who want to show they can flow on the mic just as hard as they run up and down the court. Shaquille O'Neal and Allen Iverson are 2 players that have shown and displayed their Mcee skills. Shaq is the only NBA player to have a platinum certified album.

When Biggie died his impact was felt across the NBA and on the new star-players who were connected to hip-hop and its culture. Iverson was in his rookie season when Biggie passed away in 1997. Iverson was called the "Tupac of the NBA" when arrived from Georgetown University and would also be named the NBA Rookie of the Year for the 1996-97 season.

Iverson the first pick of the 1996 NBA Draft and is considered today the #1 Most Influential person all-time to The "Dunkadelic-Era" In America, 1984-Present. Shaq was playing his first season with the Los Angeles Lakers back in '97 after signing a 6-year 120 million dollar contract that made the 7ft. slam dunking machine an icon figure within the hip-hop culture.

Biggie had made reference to basketball and Shaq in 2 songs from his debut album 'Ready to Die' in 1994. From the song "Gimme the Loot", I slamming nigg** like Shaquille shi* is real. When its time to eat I rob and steal. His most famous line from the song "Things Done Changed", Because the streets is a shortstop either sling crack rock or you got a wicked jump shot.

His place within basketball and hip-hop would be secured even after his tragic death. His music would be played in the Bentley's and Mercedes of the players. His songs and beats would blare in NBA arenas. All-Star Weekend would become a major attraction for celebrity figures within hip-hop. The NBA and its hip-hop friends as Biggie would say, be "Livin' Large".

Kevin Garnett the superstar forward was becoming a house-hold name after being named an All-Star for the 1997 NBA All-Star game. Garnett made headlines in 1995 after becoming the first high school player to skip college (Moses Malone 1974 Utah Stars) and join the pro ranks when he was the 5th pick of the '95 NBA Draft. Kobe Bryant who is now considered the best player on the planet made the high school jump in 1996 just as Garnett had done a year earlier. Both would become MVP, Champions, and regular starters for the All-Star Game.

Biggie was able to help put New York back on the map when he exploded on the scene in 1994. The west coast had been dominating hip-hop with Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, and Tupac. When hip-hop was reborn in the NYC the city game of basketball came along for the ride and inspired not just the 5 borough's but the entire east coast.

As The "Dunkadelic-Era" celebrates its 25th Anniversary during the year 2009. Notorious BIG would be celebrating his 15th Anniversary of his debut album. The cultural of basketball and hip-hop is as strong as ever with LeBron James and Jay-Z. Jay-Z calls himself the "Mike Jordan of Recording" and rap-star Lil'Wayne refers to himself as the "Kobe Bryant of the Rap Game".

Jay-Z is part-owner of the New Jersey Nets with plans of moving the franchise to Brooklyn. Nelly the rap superstar from St. Louis is part-owner of the Charlotte Bobcats with Michael Jordan and BET founder Bob Johnson.

The new movie NOTORIOUS based on Biggie's life is due to be released today it will be seen by many NBA, college, and high school players and will continue to inspire those who are connected to the culture. 12 years after his death Biggie will still be impacting basketball and hip-hop and making a contribution to the 25th Anniversary of The "Dunkadelic-Era". In his own words were telling the world, "Hey America (Brooklyn) we did it".

Happy 25th Anniversary to The "Dunkadelic-Era In America, 1984-2009