On this day, March 9, in hip-hop history... 1997: Every year since the death of The Notorious B.I.G. on March 9, 1997, hip-hop has paid homage to one of the most legendary lyricists of all time. Today marks the 24th anniversary of the day we lost Biggie Smalls. The rapper, born Christopher Wallace, was gunned down during a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles in 1997. In an autopsy report released in December of 2012, it stated he was hit by four bullets, killed only by one. No arrests were ever made in the case. Even as questions still arise from his passing, Biggie’s impact has inspired and invigorated the hip-hop community as a whole for years. Fans, rappers, other artists, DJs and club promoters have always viewed March 9 as a day of celebration for the Brooklyn native’s life and catalog. Two of Biggie Smalls' studio albums—1994’s