THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G. Archives - Page 5 of 8

Usher Thought Biggie Smalls Was The ‘Most Profound Talent’ He’d Ever Seen In A Rapper After Joining Him In The Studio

February 22, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Usher is undoubtedly becoming the unofficial king of Las Vegas, thanks to his My Way Residency. Even with a career spanning 30 years, the singer has continued to find ways to honor the acts before him in his music by way of samples while finding inspiration in today’s newer acts.

The musician doesn’t mind calling cap on the questioning of his talent, but giving other recording artists their flowers is as equally important to him. Late rap music icon The Notorious B.I.G. (real name Christopher Wallace), often referred to by the shortened name Biggie Smalls, is at the center of Usher’s latest praise session.

In an interview with GQ, the singer shared the story of sharing a studio with the late rapper. Although Usher wasn’t working on his own solo material, he stuck around to watch the rapper lay down his own music.

“He didn’t write anything down,” says Usher. “He lined up four blunts, ran it back, just listening [to the beat].” After three blunts, Biggie was ready to go to work. Usher continued, “He was the most profound talent I think I’ve ever seen in an MC. Coming up with sh*t off the top of his head, the ability to make things so vivid. That sh*t was profound, man.”

Even after the rapper’s tragic death in 1997, Biggie is still remembered as one of the greatest to ever touch a microphone.

Top 5 Rap Icons Who Never Took Home A Grammy

February 4, 2023 by newhiphopnews

The contentious relationship between hip-hop and the Grammy Awards has lasted over 30 years. With recent nominations for the upcoming award show, many wonder when the Recording Academy will get it right. The Grammys or the Scammys? Hip-hop fans and artists are shocked by the disconnect between impactful culture and the award show every year. […]

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Air Jordan Releases Limited Edition Notorious B.I.G. Sneakers

January 26, 2023 by newhiphopnews

The Notorious B.I.G.’s estate and Air Jordan brand have teamed up to make the limited edition “Christopher Wallace Air Jordan XIII,” which will have 23 pairs. The shoes are in stock until Feb. 3. Air Jordan and The Notorious B.I.G.’s estate released a limited edition sneaker dedicated to the late rap legend. The “Christopher Wallace Air […]

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[WATCH] Keith Murray Says Biggie Would “Still Be Alive Today” If He Listened To His Warning To Leave L.A. The Day He Died

January 3, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Def Squad member Keith Murray has recently come out with stories about several 90s rappers including Foxy Brown, Kurupt, DMX and even himself. Now, Murray has gone out on a limb and said that if the Notorious B.I.G. would’ve listened to him when he warned him about leaving L.A., Murray believes that Biggie would still be alive today.

In his recent Art Of Dialogue interview, “The Most Beautifulest” rapper said that he was with Biggie on March 9, 1997 and said that the two held a convo just hours before the Vibe afterparty following the Soul Train Awards, which is the focal point of where the Notorious B.I.G., Puffy, Lil Cease and the rest of the entourage were leaving when B.I.G. was shot and killed.

“I said, ‘Big, you know they do not like you out here. Leave! Come back another time,’” Murray said. “Muthafuckas will walk up and shoot people, literally. Walk up and shoot with AKs and kill people. Muthafuckas was shooting each other left and right with no problem, you feel me?”

He continued, “I’m in the car with Biggie and he’s asking me this. I said ‘Leave, Big.’ If he woulda left, it woulda blew over. And I felt Biggie Smalls woulda been alive to this day.”

See the interview excerpt below.

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Spread Love, It’s the Brooklyn Way: The Notorious B.I.G Honored With Art Installation at Brooklyn Bridge

December 9, 2022 by newhiphopnews

A nine-foot-tall sculpture pays homage to Kings County hip hop’s royalty; The Notorious B.I.G has been erected in Brooklyn.

The artist, Sherwin Banfield, tells Artnet News: “I’m a traditionally trained figurative sculptor and wanted to take something classic then remix or sample it with something new and fresh.” The sculpture was cast in the Brooklyn foundry owned by Bill Makky, the same foundry responsible for bronzing the much-recognized Wall Street Bull. Using resin, a sealant used to protect surfaces from water damage, corrosion, or staining; the sculpture is decorated with Biggie’s first studio album. It features a crowned head of the Brooklyn native and hip-hop legend, who was gunned down in 1997. He was just 24 years old when he was killed.

This towering sculpture, titled Sky’s the Limit in the County of Kings, is the latest art project funded by the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership and the Dumbo Improvement District, two organizations dedicated to enhancing the cultural life of local spaces. “Giving space to new kinds of monuments and works is what a public art fund is all about,” said Alexandria Sica, President of the Dumbo Improvement District. “This is a spectacular piece that will greet countless New Yorkers.”

Earlier in the year, there was an open call for proposals from local artists who wanted to showcase an art piece that would live at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge. With the 5oth anniversary of hip-hop just around the corner, Banfield’s piece, titled “Sky’s the Limit in the County of Kings,” stood out to panelists who helped select an exhibit. “We were really, really careful once we received all these wonderful proposals to make sure that we were choosing projects that really spoke to what was unique about downtown Brooklyn and Dumbo — pieces that really activated our neighborhood with really forward thinking and provocative work and I think this piece really fits into that way of thinking,” said Regina Myer, president of Downtown Brooklyn Partnership.

“Sky’s the Limit in the County of Kings” will remain on display through the spring of 2023.

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The Notorious B.I.G.’s Daughter T’yanna Wallace Puts Up Her $1.5M Brooklyn Home to Bond Out Boyfriend in Hit-and-Run Case

August 22, 2022 by newhiphopnews

T’yanna Wallace, the daughter of The Notorious B.I.G., has posted a $1 million bond to free her boyfriend, who was arrested for a hit-and-run accident. Baldwin and Wallace share an infant daughter.

According to The New York Post, Wallace’s bae, Tyshawn Baldwin, fled the cops on Aug. 10 after a traffic stop where he ran into a group of pedestrians. Injured were three people, including a mother and her toddler. He surrendered six days later.

28-year-old Baldwin was held on a $1 million bond but was bailed out after Wallace put up her $1.5 million Brooklyn home to secure the bond. Ira Judelson assisted in the effort.

Baldwin was driving a 2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat. He was stopped for parking in a busy intersection with a loud exhaust and dark tinted windows. Baldwin reportedly cooperated with police by providing his license and registration, but once it came back suspended, he was ordered to step out of the car. Instead, he pressed on the gas flying through the intersection. In addition to the mother and child, a delivery man was injured.

Baldwin was arraigned on 17 counts of first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, endangering the welfare of a child, and more. If convicted, he faces 25 years in prison.

Video from the traffic stop is available below. Viewer’s discretion is advised.

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Diddy Said He And Biggie First Tried Ecstasy During The ‘Hypnotize’ Video Shoot

May 24, 2022 by newhiphopnews

diddy biggie hypnotize video 1997 — YouTube

On what would’ve been The Notorious B.I.G.’s 50th birthday, his friend and collaborator Diddy took to Twitter Spaces alongside Jay-Z and Fat Joe (per HipHopDX) and shared stories about the late rapper. Often known for their debauched, lavish music videos, Diddy recalled the shoot for “Hypnotize.” When speaking of the video, Diddy revealed the shooting of the video was the first time the two tried ecstasy.

“I mean, it was an experience, you know what I’m saying?,” said Diddy. “Ayo, Biggie’s 50. Check this out, we have nothing to hide. That was a long time ago… it was the first time. It was just a little nibble, it was all right. It was a little nibble. But we was in extra high, high spirits. Yeah, this breaking news and sh*t. F*ck it. On his 50th birthday, I wanna let y’all know that.”

During a special dinner on Biggie’s 50th birthday, his Junior M.A.F.I.A. collaborator Lil Kim told People she believes Biggie would still dominate hip-hop if he were alive today.

“It’s always important to honor the king. He’s the king. The king lives on,” Kim said. “He’s just an amazing person, amazing artist. […] His legacy. It’s just great. Like, I mean, look at the catalog. Look at everything that he’s accomplished, even at such a young age.”

The Notorious B.I.G. Comes Back To Life In ‘The Brook’ Digital Metaverse

May 21, 2022 by newhiphopnews

The Notorious B.I.G. estate dropped a major metaverse announcement on Christopher Wallace’s (Biggie’s) would-be 50th birthday on Saturday, May 21.

Biggie fans can enjoy The Notorious B.I.G. on Web3 via a hyperrealistic model of his likeness in a new metaverse activation called “The Brook.” Fans can register to be the first alerted to when they can enter this unique world.

The teaser of the Brook below features the voice of Mark Pitts, who managed Biggie in life and worked with the teams at Surreal, Zoan and Willingie to give an authentic voice to the creative direction of the metaverse.

“Being born and raised in Brooklyn, I wanted it to feel as close to the Brooklyn that helped raise me. The hyperrealism is authentic to that experience. As we expand, we will use that same authenticity in other cities,” said Pitts.

“Technology continues to create opportunities that are beyond one’s imagination and I’m excited that we are stepping into the future with a beautiful rendition of a hyperrealistic avatar of my son Christopher and I’m thankful for our wonderful team of creative partners for their work to deliver Biggie into new media for his fans to enjoy,” said Biggie’s mother Voletta Wallace.

The late great cultural icon was born Christopher Wallace in Brooklyn, New York. The Brook, by definition, is a small stream or river that flows into other rivers that eventually flows into the ocean. The Brook is also a reference to the four-time Grammy nominee’s hometown and will be realized as a metaverse activation of hip-hop culture, lifestyle, music, entertainment, sports and fashion.

Happy 50th Birthday B.I.G.!! The Biggie Avatar is coming to “The Brook”, a Hyperrealistic Metaverse experience that looks like a metaverse should… “REAL” Learn more about the Brook. Link in bio. @brookverse pic.twitter.com/XoUH4nnjkI

— Notorious B.I.G (@thenotoriousbig) May 21, 2022

According to the release, the platform will encompass an immersive digital space, giving users the opportunity to experience and explore virtual worlds, buy tickets to and attend virtual concerts, purchase virtual and physical merchandise, buy virtual real estate, and buy, sell and trade NFTs. The platform will launch with The Notorious B.I.G. and then spread to other activations and talent.

The project, developed in partnership with ZOAN, Surreal Events, and Hyperreal, is tied to his hometown in Brooklyn, to deliver Biggie into a new media for his fans and give provide a new platform to experience the culture of Hip-Hop.

Watch the trailer below. Share your thoughts with us on social media.

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