Today marks 15 years since the murder of Biggie. Even though I wouldn't consider myself a Biggie "fan", I LOVE his talent, brilliance, raw emotion, and deep analysis. He changed the game, period. He was also more than a musician, he was a father, hustler, friend, and SON... a piece of his identity he often referenced (noting either his fathers absence or mothers presence), and his mother was well known even before his passing.
While reading status after status and tweet after tweet, and watching classic BIG clips I was paused. The post of my lost friends mother, publicly feeling her own sons murder, caught me. She probably never heard him spit BIG lyrics like I did, or had any idea the significance of March 9th, she just missed her son right now. Erik made it past 30. BIG didn't see 25. As a mother to a son it hurts and scares me in a way different from many.
It also makes me proud that Boston has institutions like the PI and sisterhoods like MJE because while we work towards losing less sons, we still need the support and guidance out of the trauma.
Rest in power BIG and E. Love and respect to Voletta and Bellie. Guard them well and tell your sons:
