You KNEW about tha feud, yo!

The family of murdered rap star Notorious Big are suing the Los Angeles police department, claiming they didn't do enough to prevent or investigate the killing, for fear of revealing corruption within the force. It is now five years (count 'em) since Smalls was gunned down on March 9, 1997 in a drive-by shooting following a record industry party. The family's suit claims police should have known about and should have attempted to prevent the slaying. (If only all crimes were this simple to solve, eh?) The suit says the LAPD "knew or reasonably should have known there was an atmosphere of violence and alleged criminality" surrounding Biggie's rivals at Death Row Records, adding that Death Row was associated with "suspected and convicted criminals... and a certain street gang," and that people at the label and in "an affiliated street gang" had exhibited animosity toward Biggie. It's a bummer that he passed, but... Well, maybe you feel me on this one...