Biggs: The West Coast Hip-Hop Stalwart

Biggs is an American rapper and entrepreneur best known as a core member of the influential West Coast hip-hop collective The Outlawz. Hailing from Los Angeles, California, his career is defined by his long-standing collaboration with the legendary Tupac Shakur and his role in shaping the sound of 1990s gangsta rap.

Early career

Born in 1973, Biggs, whose real name is Bruce Washington, grew up in Los Angeles immersed in the city's burgeoning rap scene. His entry into the music industry was catalyzed by his close friendship with Tupac Shakur, leading him to become a founding member of The Outlawz in 1995.

Breakthrough

Biggs's breakthrough came through his prominent featuring on multiple tracks from Tupac's seminal 1996 double album All Eyez on Me. His vocals on this multi-platinum, chart-topping record introduced his gritty, street-centric style to a global audience and cemented his place in hip-hop history.

Key tracks

Hit 'Em Up — This iconic diss track, featuring Biggs and The Outlawz, stands as one of hip-hop's most infamous and raw recordings.

Made Niggaz — Featured on All Eyez on Me, this song showcased Biggs's chemistry with Tupac and the collective's cohesive sound.

Black Jesuz — As a solo artist, this 2001 track highlighted his continued relevance in the post-Tupac era of West Coast hip-hop.

Following Tupac's death, Biggs continued to work with The Outlawz, contributing to the group's series of albums like Ride wit Us or Collide wit Us in 2002. He also pursued a solo career, releasing projects such as Street Literature in 2004 and founding his own label, Outlaw Recordz, to maintain creative control.

His collaborations extend beyond The Outlawz, having worked with artists like Young Buck, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, and Krayzie Bone. Biggs remains an active figure, performing and recording new material that upholds the legacy of 1990s West Coast hip-hop.

Fans of Biggs's authentic, narrative-driven gangsta rap style should also explore the music of similar artists. The Outlawz is the collective he helped form, sharing the same raw, uncompromising lyrical perspective. Kurupt delivers a similarly aggressive and technically skilled flow from the same West Coast scene. MC Eiht represents the foundational Compton sound that influenced Biggs's approach. Above The Law pioneered the gangsta funk sound that permeates much of Biggs's catalog.

Biggs's music maintains a steady presence on radio, particularly on classic hip-hop FM stations, online rap radio streams, and stations dedicated to 90s West Coast sounds. His tracks with Tupac and The Outlawz are perennial favorites, ensuring his voice continues to reach new generations of hip-hop listeners.

You can hear the music of Biggs on radio stations featured on our website. Discover his influential catalog and the legacy of West Coast hip-hop by tuning into the stations available on onairium.com.