The Notorious B.I.G. Will Be Crowned "The King Of New York" On What Would Have Been His 50th Birthday, May 21st
Rolling Stone - On what would have been his 50th birthday, The Notorious B.I.G. will be crowned with a title his fans have always known he’s held: King of New York.
In honor of the legendary rapper, born Christopher Wallace, the Empire State Building will light up in red and white, with an illuminated crown spinning around its center on May 21. Over in Brooklyn, the Barclays Center entrance will display a video montage of some of Wallace’s records, and the MTA will release a special edition MetroCards featuring Biggie Smalls, which will be available at three subway stations near his old Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood.
The night before, May 20, Wallace’s family members, close friends, and collaborators — including Lil’ Cease and Lil Kim — will attend a ceremony for the late rapper, who was murdered on March 9, 1997.
Only 24 years old, Wallace was heading home after attending Vibe magazine’s Soul Train Awards after-party in Los Angeles when his driver pulled up to a traffic light and a gunman in another car opened fire, shooting the rapper four times. His murder occurred just six months after his West Coast rival Tupac Shakur was killed in Las Vegas.
Although there was speculation that Wallace’s death was orchestrated in part by Death Row Records founder Marion “Suge” Knight over the death of his artist, Shakur, neither of the men’s murders have been solved.
Wallace’s death came just two weeks before his second and final album Life after Death was released, which would go on to receive a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album, as well as nods for “Hypnotize” and “Mo Money Mo Problems” for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. In commemoration of the album’s 25th anniversary, Bad Boy Records, Atlantic Records, and Rhino Records will release a special vinyl edition of Life After Death on June 10.
This is AWESOME.
And very deserved.
It is insane that it's been 25 years since Christopher Wallace was gunned down in cold blood.
It's going to be awesome seeing the Empire State Building lit up red and white with a crown spinning. Gonna need the official Empire State watchdog Clem to snap some pics for me. Also going to need one of you maniacs that risks life and limb to ride the subway to scoop up a few of those limited edition metra cards for me.
If it were up to me I'd have Hot 97 and Power running nothing but Biggie songs, features, and interviews all day long to commemorate, and blast "Hypnotize" from both ballpark's PA systems all day long.
Biggie's 50th birthday celebrations will continue next month with a special orchestral tribute to The Notorious B.I.G. at the Lincoln Center on June 10. The black-tie event will feature music arranged and conducted by Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, with appearances by The Originals and several special guests.
Biggie’s Life After Death 25th anniversary super deluxe box set also arrives on June 10, featuring eight vinyl LPs and a commemorative booklet with rare photos from the Life After Death cover shoot, plus words from those who were involved in the making of the album.
The box set drops on June 10 and will retail for $179.98. Fans who cough up the dough will get their hands on eight vinyl LPs, a special commemorative booklet with rare photos from the Life After Death cover shoot, liner notes from music writer and editor Sheldon Pearce, plus words from other figures who were involved with the classic album.
Additionally, a Life After Death 3-LP silver vinyl 2022 remaster will be available exclusively via Target for $59.98.
Stay far from timid
Only make moves when your heart's in it
And live the phrase, "Sky's The Limit"
Motherfucker, see you chumps on top