Biggie and Tupac: A Documentary by Nick Broomfield

Broomfield delves into the myths and facts of Biggie & Tupac’s lives, weaving a powerful emotional backdrop against which the real stories unfold. The film highlights some of the major differences in the early lives of Tupac Shakur and Christopher Wallace aka Biggie Smalls aka The Notorious B.I.G., contrasting with the uncanny similarities surrounding their deaths. Tupac died in September 1996 as a result of gunshot wounds and Biggie was shot to death only 6 months later in March 1997. Highlights include rare footage of Tupac in his early days as a drama student and priceless interviews with Tupac’s father, Billy Garland, and Biggie’s mother, Violetta Wallace.

Illuminating scenes pepper this controversial and long-overdue documentary including interviews with ex-LAPD detective Russell Poole (who lost his job because he wouldn’t drop the case and questions the role of police officers in the shootings) and the infamous Suge Night (co-founder with Dr. Dre of Death Row Records). One of the most revealing segments tells viewers that in 1993 a Senate Select committee was set up to look into the Hip Hop movement. The investigation that followed Biggie’s murder brings to light evidence of ongoing FBI surveillance of members of the Hip Hop community.

Biggie & Tupac raises some pregnant questions about possible links between the LA police dept, the FBI and members of the Hip Hop community. Who is really in bed with whom? Why have the murders of two of the largest selling American recording artists gone unsolved for so long? Who are the players and who are the pawns? As viewers we can draw our own conclusions, and we can demand more answers.