The timelessness of his music and the reach of his influence make it hard to believe its been a decade since the short life and career of The Notorious B.I.G. came to a violent end on the streets of Los Angeles. While Biggie left behind a catalogue of classic material full of lasting memories, we often forget that sitting on the throne as the King of New York was just his day job. Christopher Wallace was, more importantly, a husband and a father. Biggie’s legacy is now being carried through his two children, 13-year-old T’yanna and 10-year-old CJ (Christopher Junior). With today marking the 10-year anniversary of his death, T’yanna — who Biggie mentioned in songs such as, “Juicy” and “My Downfall” — spoke with XXLMag.com about her father, his impact and how she coped with losing him at a young age.How has growing up without your father affected your life?
I can’t explain it. It’s not good but it’s not bad. Do you know what I’m trying to say? I guess it’s not bad because the fans support [me] a lot, but it’s not good because I wish he were here.
Do you have any memories of your father?
I don’t really have a lot of memories because I was really young, but I just know that he was always there with me and we hung out a lot. He loved me a lot.
How does it feel to be immortalized in some of your father’s most popular songs?
It feels good. That definitely lets me know that he really loved me. I know all parents love their kids, but that is real love right there.
Do you sing or rap? Would you ever consider going into the music business?
No. Maybe producing or writing, but not rapping or singing.
So you have don’t have an interest in the performance side of the business?
No, I just can’t sing or rap [laughs].
What is your favorite Biggie song?
I think I’m gonna have to choose “Warning.”
Any particular reason why?
I love it because the story is so entertaining. Every time I listen to that song I’m just like, ‘Wow, that was a great story.’
I’m sure you’re the No. 1 Biggie fan, but who is your favorite current rapper?
I can’t just pick one, but I like T.I., Young Jeezy, The Game and Jay-Z.
Your grandmother comes across as a very strong woman. Do you notice anything about her personality that was similar to your dad?
I honestly see more of my dad in me than in her. I act more like him than she does, as far as looks, and personality. Yeah, I’m more like him than she is.
Do people ever approach you and ask you if your Biggie’s daughter?
Yeah, some people. It’s different because I’m a girl and they’ll be like, “I think that’s her, but I don’t know.” But it happens.
Is there anything about your dad that the general public may not know?
He was a very jokey-jokey kind of guy. When you listen to him, you think he’s all tough, hard and rough. But he was sensitive, always sarcastic and just a funny person. He had a lot of charisma.
This entry was posted
on Friday, March 9th, 2007 at 2:03 pm and is filed under Features, Main
Share it:
.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
DIRECTORIES
NEW Jay-Z to Headline Bonnaroo Fest, Kid Cudi & Jay Electronica Added to Bill- 7 mins ago
NEW Breaking News: Lil Wayne’s Jail Bid Postponed ’til March 2- 2 hrs ago
NEW XXL Gives Away Tickets to Haiti Benefit Show With Jim Jones & Styles P- 3 hrs ago
NEW Game Talks New DJ Drama Mixtape, Ashanti Collabo- 4 hrs ago
XXcLusive: N.O.R.E. on The War Report 2 - “Musically, This is Gonna be a Better Album”- 1 day
XXcLusive: Alchemist Says Eminem Working With DJ Khalil- 4 days ago
March 9th, 2007
at 2:24 pm
dude says:
up to you girl… shit’s so sad
Reply
March 9th, 2007
at 2:28 pm
Hannah Smith says:
Is that even an interview?
“Do you have any memories of your father?
I don’t really have a lot of memories because I was really young…”
The barrell doth been scraped!
Reply
March 9th, 2007
at 2:43 pm
lowendtheory00 says:
we’ll always love big poppa
Reply
March 9th, 2007
at 2:59 pm
S on my chest says:
RIP. Nuff said
Reply
March 9th, 2007
at 3:11 pm
stoneyisland says:
XXL step your game up interviewing a 10 year old about her slain pops is some bush league journalism. I am done fucking with the magazine or anything associated with XXL. Shame on you jewish bastards!
Reply
March 9th, 2007
at 3:15 pm
dreadklove says:
shorties need their daddies…rip BIG
Reply
March 9th, 2007
at 4:18 pm
DANJA29 says:
stoneyisland Says:
March 9th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
XXL step your game up interviewing a 10 year old about her slain pops is some bush league journalism. I am done fucking with the magazine or anything associated with XXL. Shame on you jewish bastards!
^^^???
She’s 13, and why isn’t it a good idea to interview her?
What’d you want, another interview with Puff?
Reply
March 9th, 2007
at 4:27 pm
Ghost of 2Pac says:
Daddy’s little Girl!
Reply
March 9th, 2007
at 4:44 pm
Holla says:
She’s only 13 years old - what do you expect? She’s probably never done an interview before in her life. When I was 13 I wouldn’t want to talk about my dead father.
Reply
March 9th, 2007
at 5:24 pm
IKE...NOT TURNER says:
yo stoneyisland, u thonk its low forthem to interview big’s daughter? u know what, u are absolutely right…it would’ve been much better had they interviewed YOU being that u knew big better than anyone, namely his daughter so let’s boycott xxl til STONEYISLAND get’s his interview and tell us how big reallt was! ha, ha! what a fuckin loser…
Reply
March 9th, 2007
at 6:07 pm
oh yeah says:
rip b.i g.
Reply
March 9th, 2007
at 6:43 pm
billblackfish says:
She is famous now?
Reply
March 9th, 2007
at 7:13 pm
M.O. says:
“She’s 13, and why isn’t it a good idea to interview her?
What’d you want, another interview with Puff?”
i want em to let the late great veteran live. let that nigga be, man. they asked her to talk about somethin that the public might not know AFTER she already said she doesnt have many memories of him. thats just stupid
Reply
March 9th, 2007
at 7:21 pm
Hannah Smith says:
They don’t do a Biggie tribute cover in his honor but they put up this bullshit… Wow.
Reply
March 9th, 2007
at 7:24 pm
DEESENOTS says:
DID HE HAVE ANY FISH OR A DOG YOU CAN INTERVIEW?? PERHAPS A HALF EATEN SANDWICH? LET IT FUCKING GO!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply
March 9th, 2007
at 7:59 pm
Yung Sincere AKA Westside Money G-Unite says:
r.i.p. big papa wonder what his daughter look like
Reply
March 9th, 2007
at 8:22 pm
E AKA THE REAL NORIEAGA says:
R.I.P BIGGIE, my condolences to your family
*Yo Eskay why don’t my comments post on NahRight anymore?
Reply
March 9th, 2007
at 9:28 pm
W says:
hopefully she’ll stay away from piddy, diddly, whatever…
Reply
March 9th, 2007
at 9:48 pm
Tank-Philly says:
Yo “Deesenots” what type of bullshit is that?
R.I.P. B.I.G. the game misses you baby. U know, I listened to hip-hop before B.I.G. but when I heard Big Poppa I fell in love with hip-hop. Rest in Peace Baby.
“Niggas Bleed just like us, picture me being scared of a nigga that breathe the same air as me..”
“Beef is when you need 2 gats to go 2 sleep, Beef is when ya mom’s ain’t safe up in the streets, Beef is when I see u guaranteed to be an I C U..”
DAMN, WE MISS YOU B.I.G.
Reply
March 9th, 2007
at 10:01 pm
Philly says:
It was a good interview. he ALWAYS talk about her and Jay mentioned her a couple of times. It don’t hurt to ask her a couple of questions and I heard her speak before, she is inteligent for her age. Stop hating
Reply
March 9th, 2007
at 11:42 pm
SNICKA says:
Check out Biggie Blendz 2007 at http://www.biggieblendz.com
Mr. Cee just played them on his Biggie tribute mixshow
Reply
March 10th, 2007
at 1:37 am
EAST COAST says:
Wow BIG still kicking some Ass after all this time!!! My favorite biggie line among so many will have to be:
” I SPIT PHRASES THAT WILL THRILL YOU! YOU’RE NOBODY TILL’ SOMEBODY KILLS YOU”
Such an amazing rapper!! NO ONE I REPEAT NO ONE WILL EVER TOP THAT!! WELL JAY Z IS RIGHT THERE!!!
Reply
March 10th, 2007
at 4:15 am
stoneyisland says:
Danja29 and Philly, either of you read the interview she said she doesnt remember much about her pops. The interview should have ended right there, it’s a damn shame when kids get exploited to move some issues of a magazine. I would be willing to bet cold cash Bigs mom didnt know her grand baby was being solicated by XXL, such both of you obviously would sell your souls for 30 pieces of silver. You two are probably the same dumb muthafuckas who gave that 2 yr old and 5 yr old some weed the other day on CNN.
Reply
March 10th, 2007
at 6:38 am
derfla the hus'la says:
r.i.p big
Reply
March 10th, 2007
at 6:40 am
Real Talk says:
Wow, thanx for sharing that with us XXL… G.L.O (good lookin out).
Reply
March 10th, 2007
at 9:17 am
lock down says:
It dont matta if she remembas her pops. Thats her fatha, if she wants to speak up to xxl about it thats her problem. I just know biggie is and will allways be yhe king of the East coast and the greatest rappa of all times.
Reply
March 10th, 2007
at 1:39 pm
GRANDHUSTLE says:
R.I.P BIGG
Reply
March 11th, 2007
at 11:17 am
Don P says:
Yo,Biggie is the greatest to ever grab the mic.God Bless his family and especially his daughter.Thats a sad situation and I feel for her.
My favorite Biggei line has to befrom the Mister Cee freestyle when he says:
“Mc’s break fast like flapjacks and bacon.”C’mon man aint nobody better.
Reply
March 11th, 2007
at 1:28 pm
Goodfellas2390 says:
my best line came from the song he had in the song with meth. Welcome to my center, honeys feel me deep in their placenta, his lyrical ability was too ill, too bad he’s not here to live his legacy
Reply
March 11th, 2007
at 2:20 pm
J.R.O. says:
I’m on that ‘RIP BIG’ shit, too, but damn… His daughter was still a baby when he was alive.
Reply
March 11th, 2007
at 5:55 pm
m says:
no worse than eazy e’s lil daughter who is now 16 on MTV’s “My Sweet Sixteen”
Reply
March 11th, 2007
at 10:00 pm
slobbythegreat says:
every time march comes around its always sad, i dont know why, i can just feel a lack of presence.
Reply
March 12th, 2007
at 2:55 am
GHOST says:
WHO SAID BIG DEAD. BEEN ON THE BEACH GETTING BIG HEAD. BEEN IN MORE CHICKS JAWS THAN A STICK OF BIG RED. FUCK WHAT THAT KID SAID…
FIND ME IN AREA 51.
OR THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE WEARING SANDALS GETTING PISSY SON.
I SHOULD BE THERE SPITTING FOR TIM. BITCH SLAPPING CEASE FOR SNITCHIN ON KIM.
BUT FREDO DIDN’T KNOW BETTER. YOUR PUNISHMENT IS WE CAN NO LONGER GO ON THE ROAD TOGETHER.
WHAT HAPPENDS AT THE VENUE STAYS AT THE VENUE.
HATERS ITS OKAY TO OFFEND YOU.
I SUGGEST YOU EAT A DICK, BALLERS ORDER WHATS NOT ON THE MENU.
TELL BROOKLYN, STAY IN YOUR LANE.
TELL DIDDY STOP CHANGING HIS NAME.
WHO SHOT ME, NIGGA FEEL LIKE KENNEDY.
SO STAY STRAPPED LIKE YOSEMITE…SAM
SHED A TEAR WHEN LAURYN GOT THE GRAMMY IN HER HAND.
THAT WAS A GOOD LOOK.
BEEN DOWN “HILL” EVER SINCE.
HOW IRONIC. THE GAME GOT ME WANTING TO READ A GOOD BOOK.
ONE LOVE.
HUSTLERS PASS THE Pérignon. WE DIDN’TLEARN IT FROM WATCHING DAD, IT WAS THE PENTAGON.
Ths is your brain on drugs. Got my name on bugs. CHICKS GIVE ME HUGS.
TO ALL MY QUEENS
LET ME MAKE MY DEPARTURE,
GREATEST OF ALL TIME. YOU CAN’T BE KING WITH A LIFE PARTNER. (TO WAYNE).
Reply
March 12th, 2007
at 4:51 am
j.samuel says:
u faggots let the dead people r.i.p u wankers……………….
Reply
March 12th, 2007
at 5:43 am
Big Poppa says:
AN IF YA DONT KNOW, NOW YA KNOW NIGAAAAAA!!!!!
Reply
March 12th, 2007
at 7:33 am
jacquez says:
http://www.myspace.com/southcrak
go listen
Reply
March 12th, 2007
at 8:32 am
Rizzop says:
She is the daughter to one of the best that ever did. Just more proof that life still goes on after niggas cant settle their differences and there are people that have to live without folks that are special in there lives….R.I.P, BIG.
Reply
March 12th, 2007
at 9:20 am
CREEPA 101 says:
this aint no interview…it was short
Reply
March 12th, 2007
at 11:08 am
CALIMOVEMENT says:
Learn how to ask questions…..reporter is an idiot
Reply
March 12th, 2007
at 8:32 pm
southsown says:
THAT’S FUCKED UP THAT SOME ASSHOLE TOOK HER FATHER AWAY!
NIGGAZ DON’T THINK BEFORE THEY DO SHIT.
BEFORE HE WAS NOTORIOUS B.I.G. TO US, HE WAS DADDY TO HER AND TO C.J.
SHE’S TURNING OUT TO BE A FINE YOUNG LADY!
MAY GOD WATCH OVER BIGGIE’S CHILDREN.
T.I.P. 2 B.I.G.
Reply
March 13th, 2007
at 1:33 am
Dade County 305 says:
PAC & YOUR DAD WAS THE BEST 2 EVER DONE IT BABY.DONT LET PEOPLE LIE 2 U THAT HE WAS THE GREATEST.PAC WAS NUMBER 1 & YOUR DAD WAS 1 BEHIND PAC!!! REAL TALK SWEETIE!
Reply
March 13th, 2007
at 8:45 am
Achilles says:
I have to admit, it is pretty stupid to ask a 13 year old if she has any memories of her father who had passed 10 years prior. How many of us have memories of when we were 3? This is just some shit. I agree with Stoney. If it was going to be a real interview why not interview her with her grandmother to get a perspective of how BIG was with his daughter.
Reply
March 14th, 2007
at 6:23 am
KILLABLACK says:
ILL always love big popa, he was the best to ever do it, and its means alot to me to be living on his block(St james) i feel like it means something big. one love BIG, HE WAS AND STILL IS REAL HIPHOP, AND AM ON THE SAME PAGE (MYSPACE.COM/BLU-BLACK)
Reply
March 14th, 2007
at 9:00 am
Angel says:
first off… RIP BIG….. dont disrepect the dead!!so what if it is a short interview she is 13 years old and dont remeber alot because he died when she was young.that is not right at all you shouldnt talk bout him like that.RIP aaliyah,left eye,jam master jay,then pac!!!
Reply
March 14th, 2007
at 9:01 am
Angel says:
RIP BIG…………. dont talk bout him that aint right!! shut up
Reply
March 14th, 2007
at 3:08 pm
john brown says:
dis was a wack ass interview
Reply
March 14th, 2007
at 7:17 pm
buttah says:
All yall mofuckaz need to shut the fuck up cuz yall couldn’t do half the shit big and diddy on there worst day stop fuckin hatin cuz it aint stoppin diddy from gettin his
Reply
March 14th, 2007
at 7:19 pm
buttah says:
All yall mofuckaz need to shut the fuck up cuz yall couldn’t do half the shit big or diddy have done on there worst day stop fuckin hatin cuz it aint stoppin diddy from gettin his
Reply
March 14th, 2007
at 8:07 pm
Fat Matt says:
RIP Big Poppa
In my opinion she is too young for this WEAK interview. should have waited until she was at least out of middle school.
Reply
March 15th, 2007
at 1:39 pm
goldiilocs says:
It seems like niggas is salty in here, for whatever reason, but she is still a child, damn! Have some compassion and stop bitchin’. If you ain’t fuck with the interview, then don’t insult her and please, just SHUT THE FUCK UP.
Reply
March 19th, 2007
at 7:29 am
Kazmos says:
I just wanna say that cats with all these stupid ass notions about the “irresposibilty” in interviewing Big’s young daughter is crazy. Yo thats his daughter, shes fucking 13 years old shes not 4. She sounded very clear and articulate. Even though she may not remember dude like “YOU DO”, her words are more valid about “HER Father” than any word about him you’ll ever speak by default. So all ya’ll niggas write yo Congress Man an change some shit then….yall just need a hug…Middle finger UP! 5-6-7-8 now shake it out!
Reply
March 21st, 2007
at 2:06 am
D-raw says:
Check Biggie out in the Hell on Earth Southpark episode. This shit is hilarious. And Yes, if they can diss Princess Diana, they can use B.I.G. for a story plot.
Reply
March 26th, 2007
at 2:17 am
MIRANDAALLDAY1328 says:
1, biggie
Reply
August 29th, 2007
at 12:18 am
Bad Boy says:
mad late on dis . but word up to Kazmos . there most likely is not a bigger fan than his own children . R.I.P Bad Boy’s Fo Life .
Reply