Today, March 9, is the 26th anniversary of legendary rapper Biggie Smalls’ (aka Christopher Wallace) death, and Brooklyn is honoring the late rapper in the best way possible–through art.
New Yorkers and Biggie fans alike gathered together today on Fulton Street and St. James Place, the intersection which was named “Chrostopher Wallace Way” back in 2019.
The area, which is already colored with Biggie murals, just unveiled its latest one to honor the late rapper.
Created by artist John Sears, the new mural is comprised of colorful glass depicting the rapper standing with his arms crossed, with a mirror taking the place of his face.
“This will help define the community even more. It will make people believe in their dreams,” said Sears, according to the Brooklyn Paper.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams was among those who attended the event, and he shared some words of his own regarding Biggie’s legacy.
“I grew up on hip hop, everyone in politics from Brooklyn grew up listening to Biggie,” The Brooklyn Paper reports Adams saying. “He helped define the borough. I want this piece of art to reflect that every little kid in this community can see themselves in Biggie and they can make it anywhere.”
Born on May 21, 1972, Biggie grew up in the Clinton Hill neighborhood before his untimely death on March 8, 1997, when he was shot and killed in Los Angeles at age 24.
Last year limited-time Biggie MetroCards were released for the NYC rap legend’s 50th birthday. We can imagine NYC will honor him once again for his 51st birthday in the coming weeks.
A 9-foot-tall sculpture of Biggie also stands tall near the Brooklyn Bridge. It was unveiled last December by the DUMBO Improvement District and the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership (DBP).