5 Ways The Notorious B.I.G. Still Influences Eminem's Music, Including His Shocking New Diddy Diss

Contents
Eminem’s connection to The Notorious B.I.G. (Biggie Smalls) runs deeper than just respect; it is a foundational pillar of his lyrical identity. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, this relationship has taken on a new, highly controversial dimension, moving from mere tribute to a shocking accusation made on his latest album. The Detroit legend has recently used his platform not only to honor the late Brooklyn icon but also to directly implicate Sean "Diddy" Combs in Biggie's 1997 murder on the expanded edition of his album, *The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de grâce)*, making the conversation about "Eminem on Biggie" more explosive and current than ever before. The enduring legacy of Christopher Wallace, who died tragically just as Eminem was beginning his ascent, has been a constant source of inspiration and a benchmark for lyrical excellence for Marshall Mathers. From their only direct collaboration to recent joint tributes with fellow legends, Biggie's influence continues to shape Eminem's career, proving that the East Coast kingpin remains a critical figure in the history of hip-hop’s greatest lyricists.

The Profiles: Marshall Mathers III and Christopher Wallace

To understand the mutual respect and influence between these two titans, it is essential to first look at their respective biographies. They were contemporaries in age, both born in 1972, yet their careers overlapped tragically briefly.

The Notorious B.I.G. (Biggie Smalls)

  • Real Name: Christopher George Latore Wallace
  • Born: May 21, 1972, in Brooklyn, New York
  • Died: March 9, 1997, in Los Angeles, California
  • Key Albums: *Ready to Die* (1994), *Life After Death* (1997)
  • Record Label: Bad Boy Records
  • Significance: Widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all time, known for his masterful storytelling, fluid flow, and vivid lyrical imagery.

Eminem (Slim Shady)

  • Real Name: Marshall Bruce Mathers III
  • Born: October 17, 1972, in St. Joseph, Missouri
  • Key Albums: *The Slim Shady LP* (1999), *The Marshall Mathers LP* (2000), *The Eminem Show* (2002), *The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de grâce)* (2024)
  • Record Label: Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, Interscope Records
  • Significance: A cultural phenomenon known for his technical skill, complex rhyme schemes, multi-syllabic rhyming, and alter-ego Slim Shady.

The Notorious B.I.G. was murdered in March 1997, a year before Eminem released his major-label debut, *The Slim Shady LP*. This timing means that Eminem rose to global fame in the shadow of Biggie's legend, inheriting a landscape forever changed by his death and the East Coast-West Coast rivalry.

1. The Shocking New Accusation Against Diddy on the "Fuel" Remix

The most recent and controversial statement Eminem has made regarding Biggie comes on the "Fuel" remix, included in the Expanded Mourner's Edition of his 2024 album, *The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de grâce)*.

A Direct Implication

In the track, Eminem takes vicious shots at Sean "Diddy" Combs, directly implicating the Bad Boy Records mogul in the deaths of both The Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur.

  • This is a significant and highly current development, turning a long-standing conspiracy theory into a direct lyrical attack by one of hip-hop's biggest names.
  • The accusation is part of a broader, aggressive return to form for Eminem, using his platform to address major figures and controversies in the industry.

This unprecedented move demonstrates that for Eminem, the legacy and unresolved murder of Biggie Smalls is not just history—it is a current event that demands lyrical justice, showcasing a fierce loyalty to the late rapper's memory.

2. The Only Official Collaboration: "Dead Wrong"

The closest the two legends ever came to a direct collaboration was on the song "Dead Wrong," which appeared on Biggie's 1999 posthumous album, *Born Again*.

Eminem’s Lyrical Homage

Eminem's verse on "Dead Wrong" is a standout moment, serving as a direct lyrical handshake across time. He has spoken about the gravity of being asked to contribute to a Notorious B.I.G. track.

  • A 10-Minute Verse: According to his autobiography, *The Way I Am*, Eminem wrote his entire verse for the track in a mere 10 minutes.
  • This rapid-fire creation was a testament to his focus and dedication to matching the high standard of lyrical skill set by Biggie’s original vocals.
  • The track is a staple for fans, often cited as one of the best posthumous collaborations, where Eminem's signature shock value and technical complexity perfectly complement Biggie's smoother, narrative flow.

The "Dead Wrong" remix remains the definitive musical evidence of the respect between the two artists, blending the East Coast legend’s voice with the emerging global superstar's unique style.

3. The 2024 All-Star Tribute: "Gunz N Smoke"

Eminem's commitment to honoring Biggie's legacy was recently confirmed in December 2024 with the release of the track "Gunz N Smoke."

  • The song features an unprecedented lineup of hip-hop royalty: 50 Cent, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Eminem himself.
  • The collaboration is explicitly a tribute to The Notorious B.I.G., showcasing a united front of rap legends paying homage to the late icon’s enduring influence on the culture.
  • The track’s release confirms that Biggie's presence is still a unifying force among the industry's most successful artists, and Eminem is a central figure in carrying that flame.

4. Acknowledging Biggie as a "Huge Influence"

While Eminem is often praised for his unique, technical, and high-speed rhyme schemes, he has consistently acknowledged that The Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur were "huge influences" on his own career.

  • Biggie’s style was characterized by effortless flow, intricate internal rhymes, and a knack for vivid, cinematic storytelling—qualities that are clearly reflected in some of Eminem's most narrative-driven tracks.
  • Eminem’s ability to adopt different voices and craft complex narratives, such as on tracks like "Stan," echoes the character-driven storytelling Biggie perfected on albums like *Ready to Die*.
  • The influence is less about imitation and more about setting a bar for lyrical ambition. Biggie’s mastery of the craft pushed Eminem to develop his own technical prowess.

5. Setting the Lyrical Benchmark for Storytelling

Eminem's entire career is built on a foundation of technical lyricism, but the emotional depth and narrative structure of his best work owe a debt to the generation that preceded him. Biggie was arguably the best storyteller of the 90s.

  • Biggie's ability to transition seamlessly between street tales, braggadocio, and introspection gave his music a depth that transcended standard gangsta rap.
  • Eminem’s early work, particularly his portrayal of the Slim Shady persona and his dark narratives, utilizes this blueprint of multifaceted character development.
  • The fact that Eminem felt compelled to address the circumstances of Biggie’s death in his 2024 music, decades later, speaks to the profound and personal impact Biggie's unfinished story has had on him as an artist and as a custodian of hip-hop history.

In conclusion, the relationship between Eminem and The Notorious B.I.G. is a powerful narrative in hip-hop history. It is a story of a successor honoring a fallen king, not just with tributes and collaborations like "Dead Wrong" and "Gunz N Smoke," but with a fierce lyrical defense of his legacy, exemplified by the shocking, headline-grabbing Diddy diss on the 2024 "Fuel" remix. Biggie's influence is cemented not just in the records, but in the ongoing, complex, and controversial lyrical choices of Marshall Mathers III.

eminem on biggie
eminem on biggie

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