“You know how there’s some people who can make you laugh and laugh with the simplest story? Biggie had that knack, which is why he was such a great rapper. He could do everything well. The first time I heard him was a while after high school when Mister Cee played me Biggie’s demo tape. He said ‘What do you think of this guy?’ and I was secretly like ‘Whoa!’ But I was a rapper too so I didn’t really want to admit that he was, like, that good. So I was like, ‘It’s alriiiight.’” — Jay-Z, speaking to SPIN magazine on the natural talent of his close friend Christopher Wallace in 2002. (via aintnojigga) July 11, 2015