Big Pun (short form of Big Punisher) was a popular household name in the 1990s. Even though the rapper died over two decades ago, many people still make arguments regarding his size. At the time of his death in February 2000, Big Pun weighed almost 700 pounds (698 pounds). Some argue that the rapper was skinny at a certain point in his life, while others too believe he was never skinny. In this article, however, we settled the debate.
Who was Big Pun?
Big Pun, whose real name was Christopher Lee Rios, was a rapper, actor and singer. He was born in Bronx, New York City, on November 10, 1971. Pun was of Puerto Rican descent as his parent were from that country.
He started writing rap lyrics in the late 1980s and even formed a rap group with a few colleague underground rappers. Unfortunately, the group released none of the songs they recorded.
In 1995, a fellow Bronx rapper, Fat Joe, discovered Big Pun. This discovery helped Big Pun to make his first commercial debut after he was featured in Fat Joe’s second studio album, Jealous One’s Envy. Joe was influential in the signing of his new discovery, unto Loud Records.
Fast forward in 1998, the rapper released his first studio album which turned out to be a huge commercial success. The album, Capital Punishment, was released by Loud Records in conjunction with RCA Records, and Terror Squad Productions, a record label owned by Fat Joe.
Big Pun’s album was so successful to the extent that it secured a Grammy Awards nomination for the Best Rap Album in 1999. He eventually lost to Jay Z’s Vol. 2…Hard Knock Life album.
Meanwhile, Pun couldn’t finish working on his second album, Yeaah Baby, before his passing. However, the album was completed by fellow rapper, Cuban Links. It was released on April 4, 2000. That was almost exactly two months after Pun’s death.
He is recognised as one of the key players in the Bronx hip hop history.
Was Big Pun skinny at a point in his life?
Yes. Big Pun was skinny before he gained weight at an alarming rate. In fact, the late rapper’s widow, Liza Rios, confirmed it in a 2015 interview with Mass Appeal. In the interview, Liza revealed how the rapper was when she first met him in High School.
According to her, Big Pun was a slim dude when she met him. This was in response to a question about how her late husband was when she met him. She further confirmed that Pun was an amateur basketball player and also did a little bit of boxing.
“…he was about 5’11” possibly like maybe 215–220. You know, he fluctuated to 230, but he was athletic. He was all solid. He knew how to ball. I got pictures actually of him dunking. He was a baller. He’s stay at the basketball courts for hours…,” Liza said, in response to the interviewer who said; “I understand that when you first met him he was actually a very slim, fit guy.”
Pun legally married Liza in 1990 and had been with her till his death. So, one can say she’d been with him before his rise to fame. Therefore, her account of the rapper’s weight or size could not be downplayed.
How did Big Pun gain weight when he was slim?
Pun began having problems with his weight when he started overeating. He had no better childhood, as his home was a troubled one. This led to depression and the only way Pun chose to deal with it, was to overeat.
The overeating eventually led to the artist’s obesity.
Big Pun’s cause of death was weight-related.
On Monday, February 7, 2000, the rapper suffered heart attack and respiratory failure while in Crowne Plaza Hotel with his family, in White Plains, New York. He was declared dead upon arrival at the White Plains Hospital, less than an hour after the incident. He died aged 28.
Pun’s weight contributed to the heart attack that he suffered. According to Dr. Louis Roh who worked in the hospital, the rapper “had an enlarged heart, about three times the normal size.” He added; “that is not healthy.”
Big Pun skinny pictures
A few pictures of Big Pun when he was slim, exist. The rapper took one of the pictures with his wife, Liza.
Below are some pictures.
Pun’s family
The rapper is survived by his wife, Liza, and their three children, Amanda, Vanessa, and Christopher Lee Rois Jn., who were 9, 7, and 6 years old respectively, at the time of their dad’s death.
His son, Christopher, is a rapper who goes by the stage name Chris Rivers. He’s currently 29. He’s the youngest.
Source: TimeGist.com