Biggie Smalls’ Life Reflected in “Notorious”

Controversy and bad publicity can sell a movie as well as great reviews and an all-star cast. The measure of the success of a movie is that it gets seen. And in the case of the movie “Notorious,” the controversy surrounding the death of Notorious B.I.G (Biggie Smalls) may have been enough to generate viewers to make the movie a financial success for its producers and place it high in the box office rankings. The large numbers of Notorious B.I.G. fans would have guaranteed some success and possibly lingering success as a cult film. But a couple of other factors, sex and violence, will help sell the film: Naturi Naughton naked and a stabbing associated with the movie.

Naturi Naughton Naked

Naturi Naughton is probably best known for being one-third of the R&B; group 3LW. In “Notorious,” Naughton gets naked for the camera as rapper Lil ‘ Kim, who is no stranger to getting naked in front of a camera herself. Playing a porn star – turned – rap star may be a questionable move, but it is doubtful if fans of either Naturi Naughton or Lil’ Kim will mind, although it might set up some somewhat embarrassing physical comparisons.

Rap fans are used to seeing scantily clad and/or naked women. Rap videos are loaded with the images. But naked people generate interest. Naturi Naughton is a beautiful actress/singer. Being naked in “Notorious” will only engender more interest in the movie.

One of the appeals of rap music is its edgy violence. Its detractors submit its relationship with violence and criminal activity (its “glorification” of both) as part of its offensiveness. Supporters contend that it is reflective of a ‘gangsta’ lifestyle, therefore realistic. Whether real or no, violence and rap music’s association with it lends a forbidden excitement to the genre and to those who perform within that genre.

But it is also associated with violence outside the industry.

Four Stabbed At ‘Notorious’ Premiere Party

New York police say that four men were stabbed at a post-premiere party for “Notorious” at the Djumbala nightclub in Brooklyn Friday night (January 17). The Associated Press reported that one person was in critical condition and three were in stable condition.

“Notorious” distributor Fox Searchlight, the same company that distributes the Golden Globe Award – winning “The Wrestler,” announced that the nightclub’s promotion was not connected to the movie.

But the news stories and word-of-mouth connects the violence with the movie.

“Don’t Hate The Playa; Hate The Game” – Biggie Smalls

Sex and violence. Controversy. Staples of the rap genre. Even the life of Biggie Smalls, which the film documents, is a testament to the lifestyle. Unfortunately, Biggie Smalls’ career was cut short by violence.

Biggie Smalls, the Notorious B.I.G. was shot to death in 1997. He was only 24 years old. The circumstances surrounding his death, along with the influence of his music, have led to Biggie Smalls’ becoming a cultural icon and somewhat of an urban legend. His death and its similarity with that of another rap icon, Tupac Shakur, have led to several conspiracy theories that intertwine the lives and associations of the two men.

Biggie Smalls’ (a.k.a. Notorious B.I.G.) murder remains unsolved.

“Notorious” was released January 16.

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Sources:

Associated Press

Newsblaze.com

Wikipedia.org