VH1’s Behind The Music: Notorious B.I.G. [VIDEO]

VH1’s latest in its Behind The Music series, focused on the life, and death, of The Notorious B.I.G. The episode was a partial re-broadcast of the original episode, with additional footage and commentary from a number of people detailing recent events, particularly in relation to the investigation, or lack thereof, into the death of the Brooklyn rap icon.

Retired police officer Greg Kading’s account that Suge Knight was indeed behind the killing was profiled, suggesting what many have said over the years, that the LAPD was purposefully stonewalling the investigation; first to cover-up possible involvement of crooked cops, then later, as Kading’s investigation pointed away from bad cops and toward Suge Knight, simply due to a lack of interest. Kading is said to have retired from the force “in disgust,” and has gone on to publish a book, Murder Rap: The Untold Story of the Biggie Smalls & Tupac Shakur Murder Investigations by the Detective Who Solved Both Cases.

Additional interview footage with Biggie’s mother, Voletta Wallace, added poignancy to the violent tale being told, as she promised to never rest until she had the solid truth as to who killed her son, something that has so far proven quite elusive. “I miss his big giggle,” Wallace recalls, solemnly. “I miss cooking for him. I miss his smile. I miss my son.”

Even though the episode was largely a rehash of the original episode, Behind The Music, as usual, provided an interesting behind-the-scenes look at the rise of one of hip hop’s more larger-than-life figures. We’ll always love Big Poppa.

View the entire episode below.