The Real Reason Why Rapper The Notorious B.I.G. Couldn’t Use the Rap Name "Biggie Smalls"

Before the world knew him as The Notorious B.I.G., Brooklyn rap legend Christopher Wallace originally went by the name Biggie Smalls — a nickname inspired by his large frame and smooth lyrical delivery. However, what many fans don’t realize is that Biggie couldn’t legally use that name due to another rapper who had already claimed it years before.

On the West Coast, a lesser-known Los Angeles rapper named Tim Bigelow, who went by Biggy Smallz, had already been using the moniker. Bigelow was active in the early 1990s and even had a connection with Tupac Shakur. Tragically, Bigelow was reportedly murdered in 1994, the same year Christopher Wallace’s career began to skyrocket.

The confusion deepened when Tupac mentioned “Biggy Smallz” in his song “God Bless the Dead,” leading many fans to believe he was referring to The Notorious B.I.G. However, the track was actually a tribute to Bigelow — not Wallace.

Because of this name conflict and potential legal issues, Christopher Wallace was forced to drop the name “Biggie Smalls” when he signed with Bad Boy Records. Instead, he officially adopted the title The Notorious B.I.G., a name that would go on to become one of the most iconic in hip-hop history.

While the name “Biggie Smalls” remains tied to his legacy through fan nostalgia and pop culture references, it’s clear that both artists — Tim Bigelow and Christopher Wallace — left their mark in very different ways. One’s story ended too soon, and the other’s name became synonymous with greatness, forever changing the course of rap music.