This is more than a biography, it’s a snapshot of both the record industry and America itself at crucial junctures for both.
“The 18 Best Books of the Year (So Far) Vulture
In this soulful, meticulously reported biography, Justin Tinsley captures the tumultuous life of a young Black male, until now, misunderstood. Finally, the world can connect with Christopher Wallace—before he was Biggie. ‘And if you don’t know, now you know.’
A deeply reported saga of the ephemeral, yet colorful life of The Notorious B.I.G.
Sometimes a legend is larger than life. But the legend without the life is like a hype man with no one to hype. Similar to 'the Black Frank White,' Justin Tinsley has 'got a story to tell.' It is a biographical story that navigates both legend and life with clarity, vision, and supreme focus, acknowledging the monumental legend of Biggie Smalls while guiding us on a VIP tour of Christopher Wallace’s life. It Was All a Dream adds cultural breadth and historical depth to the rich legacy of a 1990s icon who now transcends time.
"A brilliant biography."
I know a lot about Christopher Wallace. More than most. I was blessed to meet him and talk to him on numerous occasions. And yet this book constantly found ways to surprise me. Justin Tinsley has written a classic, one that unlike the whodunit books that have congregated around the Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac, actually focuses on the man behind the mic, his talent and compelling life, and not just on his tragic, infamous death.
"Well-researched biography ... goes an extra mile."
It Was All a Dream is a full measure of the man himself, going beyond coverage of his shocking, mysterious murder . . . it’s an important book, offering a full–fledged portrait of the late Christopher Wallace.
"Think you know Biggie Smalls? Until you read this book, you have no idea."
"It Was All A Dream is a must-read for any hip-hop fan who seeks to understand the journey of one of the most important artists of the twentieth century. There are a number of important, never-been-told-before stories that Justin Tinsley deftly weaves throughout this biography to create a thorough, brilliant account of the legacy of the Notorious B.I.G."
Executive Vice-President, Motown Records - Brian Nolan
"Speaks to a societal perspective."
"Revelatory"
There’s no telling where he would have gone, but this book does a fine job of tracing how far he managed to go.
This book accomplishes the impossible because it satisfies both hard-core Biggie fans and casual observers. The writing is beautiful, and personal. Justin takes us on a vulnerable journey and dares us to consider Biggie in a way that is broader, nuanced and more complete.
contributing writer at the Atlantic Jemele Hill
If you care about Black people, cities, music, culture, and/or the late great Christopher Wallace, this is mandatory reading for you.
New York Amsterdam News Christina Greer
"It Was All A Dream is a must-read for any hip-hop fan who seeks to understand the journey of one of the most important artists of the twentieth century. There are a number of important, never-been-told-before stories that Justin Tinsley deftly weaves throughout this biography to create a thorough, brilliant account of the legacy of the Notorious B.I.G."—Brian Nolan , Executive Vice-President, Motown Records It Was All a Dream adds cultural breadth and historical depth to the rich legacy of a 1990s icon who now transcends time.”—Dr. Todd Boyd, aka Notorious PhD, Katherine and Frank Price Endowed Chair for the Study of Race and Cheo Hodari Coker, creator of Marvel's Luke Cage and author of Unbelievable: The Life, Death, and Af Jemele Hill, contributing writer at the Atlantic Elliott Wilson, Chief Content Officer, TIDAL; cohost of Rap Radar podcast; and coauthor of Ego Trip' Rolling Stone Kirkus Library Journal USA Today Los Angeles Times Vulture, “The 18 Best Books of the Year (So Far) Christina Greer, New York Amsterdam News It Was All a Dream is a full measure of the man himself, going beyond coverage of his shocking, mysterious murder . . . it’s an important book, offering a full–fledged portrait of the late Christopher Wallace.”—Nitish Pahwa, Slate The Root Salon The Stacks Esquire Teen Vogue
02/01/2022
Journalist Tinsley writes a meticulously researched study of the life of rapper Christopher Wallace (known as the Notorious B.I.G., Biggie Smalls, or simply Biggie) and his influence on the '90s music industry. Growing up in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, Biggie was torn between his scholastic abilities and his desire to make fast money, Tinsley writes; he ended up selling drugs and was jailed for nine months as a 20-year-old. But music was in his heart, and his discovery by producer Sean "Puffy" Combs led to the launch of the album Ready To Die in 1994 and Biggie's eventual anointment as the greatest rapper of all time. Tinsley explores the complicated relationships forged by the sometimes-demanding Biggie—one friend took a gun rap for him; his wife, Faith Evans, was humiliated by his very public cheating; and his falling out with Tupac Shakur led to speculation that Biggie was responsible for Shakur's murder. Tinsley ends by describing how Biggie became embroiled in the infamous East Coast-West Coast hip-hop feud and was gunned down at only 24 years old while visiting Los Angeles, six months after Shakur's death. VERDICT Hip-hop and Biggie fans will appreciate the book's context of his rise to fame and the reminiscences of those closest to him. [See interview, p. 73, and Editors' Picks, p. 24.]—Lisa Henry
2022-04-13
For hip-hop fans of a certain age, Christopher Wallace (1972-1997), aka the Notorious B.I.G., aka Biggie, was not just a rapper; he was a folk hero. Tinsley, a senior writer for Andscape, focuses more on storytelling than trying to unearth new facts or theories about Biggie’s still-unsolved murder. (The author mostly subscribes to the findings of Greg Kading, a detective with the LAPD special investigation unit, who believes that the shooter was an associate of Death Row Records co-founder Suge Knight, hired to avenge the death of Tupac Shakur the previous year.) Tinsley’s sleek, effective biography introduces major figures in Wallace’s life, complete with interesting backstories, before we meet the influential rapper, giving readers a solid grounding in the pertinent context. “Biggie and Tupac’s friendship was as genuine as any in rap,” writes the author. “Born less than a year apart, they had completely different personalities. ’Pac was the more vocal, not just in rap, but in everything he did, and Big respected the fact that ’Pac came from a lineage that tied him directly to the streets and the struggle painted in his music. He’d speak about injustices toward Black women in the same vein he’d talk about shootouts in public with rivals and the same way he’d hold America accountable for systemic injustices toward his people.” Tinsley mostly blames their falling out on Tupac, but he does hold Biggie accountable for his missteps in other relationships—especially regarding his wife, Faith Evans, and his extramarital affairs with Lil’ Kim and Charli Baltimore. He also goes much deeper into how Biggie was a loyal friend to his pals from his Brooklyn neighborhood than he does in explaining why he was a great musical artist.
A touching tribute to the Notorious B.I.G. balancing larger-than-life stories with poignant personal moments.
