I know how it feels to wake up fucked up,
Pockets broke as hell, another rock to sell.
People look at you like you’s the user,
Selling drugs to all the losers, mad buddha abuser.
But they don’t know about the stress-filled day…
Baby on the way, mad bills to pay,
That’s why you drink Tanqueray,
So you can reminisce and wish
You wasn’t living so devilish, shit.

- Notorious B.I.G., “Everyday Struggle,” Ready to Die, 1994

I guess I was a combination of House of Pain and Bobby Brown:
I was humpin’ around and jumpin’ around!

- Notorious B.I.G., “Dead Wrong,” Born Again, 1999

Damn right I like the life I live,
Cause I went from negative to positive.

- Notorious B.I.G., “Juicy,” Ready to Die, 1994

Back in the days, our parents used to take care of us.
Look at ‘em now…they even fuckin’ scared of us.

- Notorious B.I.G., “Things Done Changed,” Ready to Die, 1994

Run from the police, picture that,
Nigga I’m too fat…
I fuck around and catch a asthma attack.

- Notorious B.I.G., “Runnin’ (Dying to Live)”, from Tupac Resurrection soundtrack, 2003, RIP Biggie Smalls

Dyin’ ain’t the shit, but it’s pleasant.

- Notorious B.I.G., “My Downfall,” Life After Death, 1997

Stick to the script like paper clips and coffee stains
Never let a seed of doubt deter you from your lofty aims
The will is much stronger than the flesh
And it only gets stronger when you going through duress
Imagination is the factory that makes legends
Close your eyes and dream B.I.G. like Faith Evans

- Jay Electronica, “Close Your Eyes,” from The Bullitts, 2010