Golden Globe® Winner Angela Bassett And Newcomer Jamal Woolard Star in The True-Life Account Of Christopher “Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace,

The life and death of one of hip-hop’s most powerful and iconic MCs is captured in the hard-hitting and controversial biopic NOTORIOUS, available to rent on DVD from July 15 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

Through raw talent and sheer determination, East Coast rapper Christopher “Biggie Smalls” Wallace went from Brooklyn street hustler to one of the greatest rappers of all time – The Notorious B.I.G. – refusing to succumb to expectations and redefining the notion of “The American Dream.”

Twelve years since the rapper’s unfortunate death, NOTORIOUS follows his meteoric rise to fame and provides a rare glimpse at a different side of the acclaimed artist – from his surprising youth as a Catholic school honor student, to an imprisoned drug dealer, to the hip hop sensation he has become today. Featuring a performance from Wallace’s real-life son, Christopher Jordan Wallace, NOTORIOUS also uncovers the complicated relationships in the rapper’s life, including protégé Kimberly “Lil’ Kim” Jones, wife-and-R&B singer Faith Evans and long-time friend-turned-rival Tupac Shakur, examining the struggle, music and triumph of game-changer Christopher Wallace, who became one of the most celebrated hip-hop icons in history.

Hailed as “the greatest rapper of all time” (The Source), “The Notorious B.I.G.” has sold over 15 million albums and in 2006 was ranked at #3 in MTV’s “The Greatest MC’s of All Time.” Directed by George Tillman, Jr. (Soul Food, Men of Honor) and produced with the help off Wayne Barrow (B.I.G.’s former manager), Voletta Wallace (mother of Christopher Wallace) and executive produced by music impresario Sean “Puffy” Combs, NOTORIOUS features “knockout” (Rolling Stone) performances from an ensemble cast including Golden Globeâ winner* Angela Bassett (Waiting To Exhale) as Voletta, Brooklyn rapper Jamal Woolard as Notorious B.I.G., Derek Luke (Lions For Lambs) as Sean “Puffy” Combs, Anthony Mackie (8 Mile) as Tupac Shakur and Naturi Naughton as Lil’ Kim.

*1994: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy/Musical, What’s Love Got To Do With It
Synopsis:
Chronicling the extraordinary life of Christopher “The Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace, NOTORIOUS follows the young rapper from the tough streets of Brooklyn to the heights of superstardom as he juggles the increasing demands of fatherhood, marriage and a music career. Amid chaos and controversy, Biggie’s remarkable talent and fierce determination help to solidify his legacy as one of hip-hop’s greatest MCs.
DVD Facts:
• Rating: MA 15+
• Running time: 129 min Approx.
• Aspect ratio: 16X9 LB 240
• Audio: English 5.1 Surround Sound
 
Notorious Bonus Features:

o 10 Deleted Scenes:
? Assassin Assembles His Gun
? Taking Care of Business
? Big on His Own
? Finding Inspiration
? The Assassin Watches
? In The Hotel Pool
? East Coast in the House
? After The Accident
? The Assassin Backsup
? Extended Concert: Primo Street Rap

o Two Featurettes:
o Anatomy of B.I.G Performance
o Party and Bullsh**t

o Two Audio Commentaries