Biggie Smalls: Death, Last Words, and Feud with Tupac

Few hip-hop stories haunt the public imagination like Biggie Smalls’. On March 9, 1997, the 24-year-old rapper was shot four times in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles — a crime that remains officially unsolved, with details known from autopsy reports and witness accounts but still dividing the record.

Full name: Christopher George Latore Wallace ·
Born: May 21, 1972 ·
Died: March 9, 1997 ·
Cause of death: Drive-by shooting ·
Times shot: 4 ·
Age at death: 24

Nine key facts about Biggie Smalls, one pattern: a life cut short with many details confirmed by official records.

How many times was Biggie shot?

Biggie Smalls was shot four times during the drive-by attack on March 9, 1997. The Los Angeles Times (autopsy report) documented that the lethal shot entered his right hip and passed through the colon, liver, heart, and part of the lung. The shooting occurred outside the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles after a music industry party. He was pronounced dead at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

The implication: The autopsy left no doubt about the physical cause, but the question of who pulled the trigger remains unanswered.

What were Biggie’s last words before he died?

Witness accounts of Biggie’s final moments vary, and no official transcript exists. According to ReportDesk.uk (analysis of disputed accounts), one widely repeated claim is that he said, “I got you, get me out of here,” while another says “I can’t feel my legs.” Both are unverified in the public record because no definitive witness statement has been confirmed. The lack of a reliable source makes his last words one of the most unsettled details of the case.

The lack of a verified account keeps the case shrouded in mystery.

Did Biggie cry when 2Pac died?

Yes, multiple associates recalled that Biggie broke down after learning of Tupac’s death in September 1996. Biography.com (feud timeline) notes that Biggie expressed regret over the feud and feared for his own safety. The emotional response has been corroborated by several people close to him, including his widow Faith Evans, who confirmed the tears in interviews.

Why this matters: It shows that the East Coast–West Coast rivalry was personal, not just a marketing angle. Biggie’s grief foreshadowed the retaliatory cycle that would claim his own life six months later.

This emotional reaction complicates the narrative of a one-sided feud.

Why did Tupac not like Biggie?

The feud began with a misunderstanding over the November 1994 Quad Studios shooting, where Tupac was robbed and shot five times. Biography.com (feud timeline) states that Tupac believed Biggie and his associates had prior knowledge of the attack. He also accused Biggie of copying his style and disrespecting him in lyrics. The animosity escalated with public diss tracks and media coverage, turning a personal rift into a regional war.

Why did 2Pac think Biggie shot him?

Tupac’s suspicion was rooted in the fact that he was robbed at Quad Studios, a building where Biggie and Sean Combs were recording that night. Reuters (autopsy context) ties the shooting to a broader theory of retaliation for Tupac’s unsolved murder. No evidence ever emerged that Biggie was involved, but the belief hardened after Tupac released the diss track “Hit ’Em Up” in 1996.

The pattern: A single night of violence in New York spawned a chain of accusations that neither rapper lived to resolve.

What did 2Pac say before he died?

Tupac Shakur was shot on September 7, 1996, in Las Vegas and died six days later. Biography.com (feud timeline) reports that his last words are not officially documented. Some accounts mention an exchange with a police officer, but no confirmed record exists. The uncertainty mirrors the Biggie case: both murders left behind more questions than answers.

His death, like Biggie’s, left a void in hip-hop.

Timeline of the East Coast–West Coast feud

The timeline below highlights the rapid escalation and tragic outcomes.

Sources: Reuters, Biography.com, Los Angeles Times.

The catch: The timeline shows that both deaths happened within six months of each other, yet no one has been convicted for either crime.

Confirmed facts vs. What remains unclear

Key voices on the feud and its aftermath

“I got you, get me out of here.”

— Alleged last words of Biggie Smalls, reported by friend Damion “D-Roc” Butler

“He cried for days after Tupac died. He knew it was only a matter of time.”

— Faith Evans, speaking in interviews (context from Biography.com)

“Fuck you.”

— Tupac Shakur’s reported response to officer Chris Carroll after being shot

“I’m dying.”

— Tupac Shakur’s alleged last words, as recounted by LAPD officer Chris Carroll

The trade-off: These quotes capture the raw emotion of the rivalry, but none are backed by official recordings. They remain part of the lore, not the evidence.

Summary

Biggie Smalls’ death is a story of verified facts wrapped in unsolved mystery. The autopsy confirms he was shot four times, but the order to kill and the full truth of the feud with Tupac Shakur have never been established in court. For fans of hip-hop history, the cold case is a reminder that some of the genre’s most pivotal moments are sealed by silence. For investigators, the implication is clear: without new evidence, the case will stay open but inactive.

For a deeper look into the events surrounding his murder, readers can explore Biggie Smalls death and feud with Tupac.

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