Big Pun

Big Pun, born Christopher Rios in the Bronx, emerged in the late 1990s as the first Latino solo rapper to achieve platinum status. His 1998 debut "Capital Punishment" showcased his intricate wordplay and technical skill, reaching number five on the Billboard 200. Collaborating frequently with Fat Joe and the Terror Squad, Big Pun's brief career made a lasting impact before his death in 2000 at age 28.