The Murder of Biggie Smalls.

The Murder of Biggie Smalls by Cathy Scott Knopf, November 2000, $65.00, ISBN 0-312-26620-0

The murder of Biggie Smalls, aka "Notorious B.I.G." hit many in the hip hop community like Marvin Gaye's murder shocked the R&B community: the loss of a budding career and a talented man too soon. In her most recent book, Scott attempts to sort out the details of the numerous accounts of Notorious B.I.G.'s murder.

Scott, who gathered her information primarily through secondary research of printed articles and police reports, forces a parallel between B.I.G's involvement in the rap industry and his untimely death. She then tries to force a common thread between the murders of B.I.G. and Tupac.

This book, which is termed "investigative reporting," turns into a conspiracy theory tome without the merit of primary, factual reporting. Scott's naivety about hip hop culture in general, and the careers of Tupac and B.I.G. in particular, makes a travesty out of their lives and a mockery of the rap industry. Furthermore, in her effort to be informative, she was often patronizing in her language and tone--like the many times she referred to Junior M.AF.I.A and Outlawz as backup singers.

Scott's book may be well received by some outside of the community, but many who are rooted in hip hop may find this book offensive and unfair. The murders of Biggie and Tupac are both still unsolved, and the many questions that remain unanswered fester like open wounds. The highest tribute to their memory is not to continue profiting on their memories, but to demand answers. Scott's "investigation"--once you cut through the hyberbolic sensationalism--offers far too few.

Roger Waiters is a filmmaker and financier residing in the Bronx, New York.