Biggy Smallz

Tim Bigelow (born 1978 or 1979), known professionally as Biggy Smallz, is an American rapper. He is mainly known for having provoked the name change of rapper The Notorious B.I.G. from his previous stage name "Biggie Smalls". Tim Bigelow was born in 1978 or 1979 and hails from California. He started recording music in 1991, at 12 years old, with his stage name deriving from the character Biggie Smalls from the film Let's Do It Again (1975). His song "When Duty Calls", about the Gulf War, was mentioned in a 1991 Boston Globe article as among "Persian Gulf curiosities". By February 1993, Bigelow had released his first single "My Weekend" and was being managed by David Esterson of Andi-Bird Management. Esterson also put out a statement requesting that Bigelow, a "14-year-old white rapper", not be confused with rapper Christopher Wallace (then known as Biggie Smalls). Eventually, Wallace announced his professional name change to "The Notorious B.I.G." during an interview, in response to what he said was a threat of a lawsuit by Bigelow. By May 1994, Bigelow was working under the Bellmark imprint Life Records. He is reported to have died in 1994, but this has not been confirmed by those close to him. Max Weinstein of The Boombox criticized Bigelow's 1991 song "Save Mr. Perkins" and likened it to "a jock jam with a white child actor for a rapper". As for the 1994 song "Nobody Rides For Free", Weinstein commented that Bigelow's "raps are somewhat bland, spouting braggadocio with a certain air in his voice like he's trying out for Bone Thugs." Malone, Chris (July 23, 2021). "Who Is Biggy Smallz? The Rapper Behind The Notorious B.I.G.'s Name Change". Showbiz Cheat Sheet. Archived from the original on January 29, 2026. Retrieved June 12, 2026. Smith, Patricia (March 10, 1991). "Gulf War: Quick blitz nixes hits". Boston Globe – via ProQuest. Tinsley, Justin (May 10, 2022). It Was All a Dream: Biggie and the World That Made Him. Abrams. PT181. ISBN 978-1-64700-104-9. Archived from the original on January 11, 2026. Retrieved June 13, 2026. Barnet, Richard D. (2001). Controversies of the music industry. Westport, CT: Greenwood. p. 59. ISBN 978-0-313-31094-2 – via Internet Archive. McAdams, Janine (February 6, 1993). "Whoopi Wows 'Em At Image Awards: Arrested Development, Winans Among Other Honorees". Billboard. Vol. 105, no. 6. p. 20 – via Google Books. Reynolds, J.R. (May 21, 1994). "Al Bell turns Bellmark into a "beautiful experience"". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 21. p. 74 – via Google Books. Weinstein, Max (February 1, 2014). "Notorious B.I.G. Vs. Biggy Smallz – This or That?". The Boombox. Archived from the original on June 15, 2026. Retrieved June 13, 2026. "Bubbling Under Hot R&B Singles". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 27. July 2, 1994. p. 26 – via Google Books. "Hot Rap Singles". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 27. July 2, 1994. p. 26 – via Google Books.