In the 1990s, nothing sent ripples through the world of rap like the deaths of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls. Shakur, from California, and Smalls, from New York, became icons representing both stylistic musical differences and the terse rivalry between West and East Coast hip hop camps.
The fierce split between coasts represented by Smalls and Shakur, along with the musicians' reputed ties to gang and criminal activity, made many attribute Tupac Shakur’s murder in 1996 to his cross-country rival. When Smalls was later gunned down in 1997, several links were drawn between the two cases.
Retired LAPD detective Greg Kading spoke to KPCC’s Larry Mantle about a growing violence between the two rappers' entourages, which he closely followed while on the force.
“These urban attitudes, dealing with gang members, promoting an attitude of thug life […] The whole thing really took on a life of its own, selling a lot of records,” he said. “Regardless of the money, this friction was going back and forth and it was just a matter of time [before the murders].”
Kading said they were on the cusp of solving Biggie Smalls’ murder when the whole task force was disbanded. He said that after Smalls’ mother dropped her lawsuit against the Los Angeles Police Department, the LAPD no longer felt pressure to investigate further.
“It was just a matter of an attitude of indifference in the police department at the brass level. They just didn’t want to expend any more resources towards it,” he said.
Kading examines both unsolved cases in his new book, "Murder Rap: The Untold Story of the Biggie Smalls & Tupac Shakur Murder Investigations." With 25 years of experience in law enforcement, Kading provides a detailed account of the task force which eventually uncovered many of the facts behind the deaths of these two rap icons.
WEIGH IN:
What were the similarities between the murders of Shakur and Smalls? Who was responsible for their deaths? Was there a connection between the two incidents? Will the criminals responsible ever face justice?
Guest:
Greg Kading, author of "Murder Rap: The Untold Story of the Biggie Smalls & Tupac Shakur Murder Investigations"; retired Los Angeles Police Department detective, specializing in the fields of gangs, narcotics and homicide
Former LAPD detective Greg Kading discusses and signs copies of his new book "Murder Rap: The Untold Story of the Biggie Smalls & Tupac Shakur Murder Investigations" click here.