Notorious

Christopher Wallace, also known as Notorious B.I.G., quickly rose to the throne of hip-hop stardom in the mid-90's. They finally got enough financial backing to paint the silver screen with insight to his life, struggles and ride to the top of the music world. 

The film was a smooth time warp back to those years in the 90s, which quickly dusted off a few Biggie songs soundtrack'ed into my personal memories. As a growing young man, Wallace (Jamal Woolard) is tempted by a security and identity in pushing drugs on the Brooklyn streets meanwhile balancing the innocent only child syndrome with his mother Voletta (played strongly by Angela Basssett). 

Sean 'Puffy' Combs (Derek Luke) enters the scene as Biggie is given his chance to shine at Bad Boy Records. Without fail, his charisma and unique style -along with Combs'-timely knack for talent and music samples that resonate with the old and new school-put him on the overnight path to super stardom. In what felt like an instant, Wallace became another voice from the ghetto meanwhile chasing personal problems with long-time friend and lover Lil' Kim (Naturi Naughton) and new found interest Faith Evans (Antonique Smith). 

The film is bookended with his last moments on March 9, 1997. It is a tense moment as you wait for what you know is about to happen: death. Rather than leave with a dark and almost vengeful tone the filmmakers share actual footage from Wallace's hometown streets as the cars drove his body to its final resting place. It is a touching send away to a talent lost so young. 

'Notorious' is a music biopic and a surprisingly decent one at that. Strong acting from Bassett and Woolard. His portrayal of Biggie is incredible and Luke gives Combs the personality that engaged so many during the Bad Boy tidal wave of the 90s. The film is richly laced with the guise and stance of NYC, it gets you into the skin of a man who was pained and eventually privileged: an artist with a great deal left to give. 

3 out of 5.