The Notorious B.I.G.
Brooklyn lyricist widely considered the greatest rapper ever for his effortless flow, vivid street narratives, and complex rhyme schemes that sounded completely natural.
Pantheon Standing
| List Name | Rank | Combined |
|---|---|---|
| Top 100 Hip Hop Artists of All Time | #1 | 96.0 |
The Age Divide
Voters under 30 and over 35 rank The Notorious B.I.G. significantly differently across lists.
The Cultural Record
Discography
Brooklyn lyricist widely considered the greatest rapper ever for his effortless flow, vivid street narratives, and complex rhyme schemes that sounded completely natural
Awards & Recognition
No Grammy data on record.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee (2020)
2× Billboard No. 1 albums
The Case For The Notorious B.I.G.
“The longevity argument alone puts them in a category of one. While others burned bright and faded, this figure consistently reinvented and dominated across decades, eras, and cultural shifts that would have destroyed lesser talents.”
“Technically unmatched. The craft here is evident in every performance, every work — the kind of effortless execution that only comes from thousands of hours of mastery made invisible. They make the impossible look inevitable.”
“Commercial success should never be held against artistic legacy. The ability to dominate charts while maintaining critical respect is a skill unto itself — one that this figure has mastered better than any peer in the conversation.”
Rank History
Ranking history for The Notorious B.I.G. will appear here as votes are cast and positions shift over time.
Often Compared To
N.W.A
#2Hip-Hop / Rap — Compton, California · 1986–1991
Compton supergroup whose Straight Outta Compton gave birth to gangsta rap, introduced Dr. Dre and Ice Cube to the world, and put the FBI on the record against a hip-hop group for the first time.
Offset
#3Hip-Hop / Rap — Lawrenceville, Georgia · 2008–present
Atlanta rapper and Migos member whose solo debut solidified his status as the most versatile member of the group — a Grammy winner with design sensibilities that extend well beyond music.