Big Pun

Big Pun
Big Pun in 1999
Big Pun in 1999
Background information
Birth nameChristopher Lee Rios
Also known as
  • Big Punisher
  • Big Dog The Punisher
  • Big Moon Dawg[1]
Born(1971-11-10)November 10, 1971
The Bronx, New York City, U.S.
DiedFebruary 7, 2000(2000-02-07) (aged 28)
White Plains, New York, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
  • actor
  • record producer
Years activec. 1995-2000[2]
Labels
Formerly ofTerror Squad
Children3, including Chris Rivers
Websiteofficialbigpun.com

Christopher Lee Rios (November 10, 1971 - February 7, 2000),[3][4] better known by his stage name Big Pun (short for Big Punisher), was an American rapper. Emerging from the underground hip hop scene in the Bronx, he came to prominence upon discovery by fellow Bronx rapper Fat Joe, and thereafter guest appeared on his 1995 album Jealous One's Envy.

Big Pun signed with Fat Joe's label, Terror Squad Productions and Loud Records in 1997 to release his debut studio album, Capital Punishment (1998) the following year. Met with critical acclaim and commercial success, the album earned a nomination for Best Rap Album at the 41st Annual Grammy Awards, peaked at number five on the Billboard 200, and became the first hip hop recording by a Latino solo act to receive platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). His second album, Yeeeah Baby (2000) peaked at number three on the Billboard 200, although Pun died two months before its release.[5]

  1. ^ Fasman, Ben (April 9, 2007), RADIO DAYS: BOBBITO GARCIA: Highlights from Issue 30: Hip-Hop Nuggets., retrieved December 26, 2022
  2. ^ Huey, Steve (2002). "Big Punisher > Biography". Retrieved December 20, 2008.
  3. ^ The Source: The Magazine of Hip-hop Music, Culture & Politics. Source Publications, Incorporated. 2000. p. 235. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  4. ^ "Big Pun". Biography.com. August 9, 2017. Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference RIAA was invoked but never defined (see the help page).