Literature holds the tradition of the "tragic hero," a character who the audience cares for, not because they are perfect, god-like beings, but because their flaws make them all the more human (and typically lead to their downfall).
Christopher Rios, better known by his moniker Big Pun, was one of hip hop's tragic heroes. The South Bronx-born Puerto Rican emcee was literally and figuratively larger than life. Though fit as an adolescent (he played basketball and boxed before dropping out of school at 15), Pun rode the line between obesity and morbid obesity for most of his life. His 1998 debut album
Capital Punishment is one of the most complete albums I've ever heard, a perfect blend of pop hits and hardcore battle raps, and was the first album by a Latin emcee to go platinum. In effect, it was Pun's success and skill that killed him. Life on tour did not encourage a healthy lifestyle and Pun's weight skyrocketed. Eventually, he was convinced to check into a weight-loss clinic in North Carolina where he lost 80 pounds but did not complete the treatment due to homesickness. On Febuary 7, 2000, Pun suffered a fatal heart attack and respiratory failure while at home with his family. He reportedly weighed 698 pounds at the time of his death. He was 28.
