Biggie Smalls: when is documentary I Got A Story To Tell out on Netflix - and how did the Notorious B.I.G. die?

Netflix has released the trailer for a documentary exploring the life of rapper Biggie Smalls.

Executive produced by mother Violetta Wallace and Sean “Diddy” Combs, the film will focus on the legendary rapper’s childhood and his emergence as one of the greatest rappers of all time.

The documentary titled Biggie: I Got A Story To Tell will feature previously unseen footage of Biggie, born Christopher Wallace, along with interviews from friends and contemporaries, including Faith Evans and Lil Cease.

The film will be directed by film director Emmett Malloy who has produced music videos for Blink-182 and the White Stripes in the past.

When is the documentary out?

The documentary will be available to stream on Netflix from March 1.

What does the trailer reveal?

The trailer paints the East Coast rapper as a prodigious young talent who made personal sacrifices in order to provide for his family.

Over footage of a young Biggie one friend can be heard saying “Big had a gift of talent that saved a lot of people’s lives but his.”

Contemporary Sean Combs meanwhile muses about Wallace’s talents, stating "we had no origins for what rap planet this guy came from.”

His mother Violetta describes the documentary as the first to “focus on the experiences of my son’s life rather than the circumstances of his death. It is a celebration of who he was and where he came from. This is how he would have wanted to be remembered.”

Documentary synopsis

A Netflix synopsis describes the documentary as follows:

"Every legend has an origin story. Christopher Wallace, AKA The Notorious B.I.G., remains one of Hip-Hop’s icons, renowned for his distinctive flow and autobiographical lyrics. This documentary celebrates his life via rare behind-the-scenes footage and the testimonies of his closest friends and family.”

Life and death of Biggie Smalls

Christopher Wallace, better known by stage names Notorious B.I.G. and Biggie Smalls, is regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Biggie rose to prominence in the 1990s due to his effortless flow, casual tone and his merging of the rap and R&B genres.

His tracks Juicy, Big Poppa, Hypnotize and Mo Money Mo Problems would elevate him to a world famous musician, with album Life After Death made diamond three years after its release.

Biggie is also known for his feud with once friend Tupac Shakur, which resulted in t he duo exchanging diss tracks, Tupac penning Hit ‘em Up and Biggie responding with Long Kiss Goodnight.

Wallace was murdered in a drive-by shooting in 1997 in Los Angeles – he was 24 years old.