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Today marks the 13th anniversary of The Notorious B.I.G.’s death. My parents are longtime friends with Voletta Wallace (Biggie’s mom), so I had the pleasure of meeting B.I.G., his family and friends. I was a child when I visited Biggie’s Brooklyn home, so I can’t remember much about the visits except that he used to wear glasses.

Dream Hampton also knew Biggie. Hampton previously worked as an editor at The Source magazine. During that time, she helped nominate the rapper for the magazine’s March 1992 Unsigned Hype section, which features rising artists.  Hampton has also written for the Village Voice newspaper, Vibe magazine and authored the book “Jay Z: The Black Book.” What does Hampton remember the most about the famous ghetto griot? “He was hilarious,” she says. “I remember how happy he was when he had his children.”  Hampton noticed B.I.G.’s lyrical genius, too. “I don’t think there’s anybody better,” she affirms. “His flow was organic. As a writer, I always appreciated Biggie’s writing.”

The legendary DJ Smitty of Harrisburg had the opportunity to meet Biggie when the MC visited the area in the 1990s.  Aside from visiting the Harrisburg Mall and giving a concert, Biggie attended an after party at a Harrisburg club that is no longer in business. “Biggie was on the [dance] floor having a good time,” Smitty says.