Episode Summary: Slow Burn – Biggie and Tupac | 7. To Live and Die in LA

Host: Joel Anderson
Date: December 11, 2019

Main Theme

This episode explores the turbulent months following Tupac Shakur’s death and how his murder reverberated through the life of Christopher Wallace, a.k.a. The Notorious B.I.G., the wider hip-hop community, and the ongoing East Coast–West Coast conflict. The story focuses on Biggie's personal and professional reckoning, his attempts to find peace amid mounting danger, and the decisions that led him and Puff Daddy (Sean “Puffy” Combs) back to Los Angeles—the epicenter of threat—despite clear risks.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Immediate Aftermath of Tupac’s Death

• Biggie’s Reaction:
  • Biggie and his circle initially believed Tupac would survive his shooting, referencing how Tupac had previously survived similar violence.
  • “Pac got shot. We was like, all right, Pac got shot. He’ll live. You know what I’m saying? He always lived. It’s not the first time he had got shot.”
    — Nasheem Myrick, producer (01:00)
• Silence and Shock in the Studio:
  • The news of Tupac’s death left Biggie and his crew stunned.
  • “When they said, Pac just died, we was like, silent.”
    — Nasheem Myrick (01:23)

2. Biggie’s Grief, Fear, and Emotional Turmoil

• Private Sorrow:
  • Biggie called his estranged wife, Faith Evans, in tears, confessing his fear and sadness.
  • “Something ain’t right, Faye... Shit got fucked up somewhere along the way, but that was my nigga.” (01:45)
• Complex Emotions:
  • Although devastated, Biggie was not simply mourning—he was also grappling with betrayal and the way personal animosity and public beef had shaped recent events.
  • “This nigga, he made my life miserable... He told lies, fucked with my marriage, turned fans against me—for what?”
    — Biggie, as quoted by Dream Hampton (02:15)

3. Biggie’s Legal Trouble and Physical Trauma

• Arrests and Accidents:
  • Days after Tupac’s death, Biggie was arrested for marijuana possession. Shortly after, he was in a dangerous car accident, suffering a broken leg in three places.
  • “Cease’s face hit the steering wheel, shattering a bunch of his teeth. Biggie fractured his leg in three places and had to be cut out of the van.”
    — Joel Anderson, summarizing from Chico Del Vec’s recollection (03:23)
• Period of Reflection:
  • Immobilized and vulnerable in rehab, Biggie began attending therapy and reflecting on his life’s trajectory.

4. Biggie’s Ambitions and Desire for Change

• Seeking Safety and Stability:
  • Biggie contemplated leaving behind his past by moving his family to quieter neighborhoods and focusing on business opportunities.
  • He aspired to create generational wealth, looking to Puffy’s example in the industry.
• The Need to Make Peace:
  • “The only way he could squash the beef, Biggie thought, was to do what he did best.” (04:45)
  • Instead of retaliating, Biggie leaned into his artistry, recording a “California anthem”—the now-famous “Going Back to Cali.”

5. Looming Dangers and a Fateful Return to LA

• Rumors and Paranoia:
  • The unresolved circumstances of Tupac’s murder led to persistent street speculation—some blamed gang factions, others pointed at Bad Boy Records and Biggie himself. Paranoia set in.
  • “It’s not worth it anymore. That’s why I just stay in the motherfucking house.”
    — Biggie, quoted to a music writer (05:30)
• Risky Promotion:
  • Against advice and amid rumors of escalating violence, Puff Daddy and Biggie committed to a high-profile LA trip—a decision later seen as fateful.
  • The episode sets up the inexorable logic and danger behind their westward move.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Tupac’s Resilience:

  • “Pac got shot. He’ll live. He always lived. It’s not the first time he had got shot.”
    — Nasheem Myrick (01:00)

• On Realizing Tupac’s Fatality:

  • “When they said, Pac just died, we was like, silent.”
    — Nasheem Myrick (01:23)

• Biggie’s Internal Conflict:

  • “This nigga, he made my life miserable… He told lies, fucked with my marriage, turned fans against me—for what?”
    — Biggie to Dream Hampton (02:15)

• After the Car Accident:

  • “Ceeze’s face hit the steering wheel, shattering a bunch of his teeth. Biggie fractured his leg in three places and had to be cut out of the van.”
    — Joel Anderson (03:23)

• Biggie on Escaping Violence:

  • “It’s not worth it anymore. That’s why I just stay in the motherfucking house.”
    — Biggie (05:30)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:24: Joel Anderson introduces the episode and sets the scene for the night of September 13, 1996.
• 01:00 – 01:23: Nasheem Myrick shares the studio’s reaction to Tupac’s shooting and death.
• 01:35 - 02:15: Biggie’s emotional turmoil and his conversation with Faith Evans and Dream Hampton.
• 03:15 – 03:23: Chico Del Vec recounts the car accident that injured Biggie and Lil Cease.
• 04:15 – 04:45: Biggie’s retreat from public life, desire to slow down, and new ambitions.
• 05:30: Biggie’s reluctance to leave the house due to fear and growing sense of danger.
• 05:45: Introduction of Biggie's plans for reconciliation through music and the upcoming, ill-fated trip to LA.

Tone & Narrative Style

The episode is immersive, mixing first-person recollections with archival context and host narration. There is a sense of foreboding as the narrative moves towards Biggie’s fateful trip to Los Angeles, underlined with empathy and historical insight. Driven by personal testimony, the tone remains direct, candid, and often mournful.

This summary provides a comprehensive walkthrough of “To Live and Die in LA,” blending key points, emotional beats, and standout moments for listeners and newcomers alike.