25th Anniversary of Notorious B.I.G.

Two weeks ago we remember the passing of Brooklyn's Notorious B.I.G. I took a tour of the murals dedicated to the rap artist synonymous with East Coast hip hop/rap culture. On March 9, 1997, Biggie Smalls was murdered in yet a still-unsolved case at the young age of 24. Six months after his rival in the rap game Tupac Shakur met a similar fate. March 9 marks the 25 anniversary of his untimely death.

The "King of New York" mural was nearly destroyed in 2017 when the landlord of the two-story building wanted to renovate it but local community members and even the Mayor's office banded together to prevent the destruction. The mural was created in 2015 by Naoufal “Rocko” Alaoui and Scott "Zimer" Zimmerman.

In addition, I strolled up to the very steps Christopher Wallace would have walked back and forth from. The building housed the apartment he grew up in. Just down the block is another mural on the side of a barbershop and a new mural on the corner pharmacy.

Also found in Bushwick Brooklyn the Biggie Smalls mural by Danielle Mastrion is outfitted with the iconic colorful sweater and dark shade fit.

Finally, I could not capture the anniversary murals located on the rolled-down gates of Fine Care Pharmacy located on Fulton Street. However, across the street, there is the black and white mural on the Respect For Life Beauty World barbershop.

Sources:

1. Alexandrauzik, "Street Art Candy: The Notorious B.I.G. by Danielle Mastrion", November 11, 2013, BushwickDaily
2. Walker, Ameena, "The Notorious B.I.G. mural in Bed-Stuy won't come down after all", May 23, 2017, NY Curbed
3. Quinn, Anna, "See: New Biggie Smalls Murals Unveiled in Brooklyn", March 10, 2022, Patch

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🎤 Did you photograph a Notorious B.I.G. mural in Brooklyn?

Brooklyn's murals of the Notorious B.I.G. stretch from Bed-Stuy to Bushwick, including the King of New York mural and the Danielle Mastrion mural. If you have photographs, videos or memories of these murals, I would like to hear from you. Full credit given to all contributors.

⬇️ Keep Reading

🎨 More Brooklyn Street Art and Tributes

Biggie and Pop Smoke murals, plus a Bushwick street corner in transition.

🎨 Brooklyn's Heartbeat: The Restoration of The Notorious B.I.G. Baby Mural The mural on Suydam Street in Bushwick was whitewashed, with a restoration announced for February 17, 2024. › 🔍 The Tale of a Hidden Mural and the Legacy of Rap Icons The East Coast West Coast Legends mural honored Tupac Shakur, Pop Smoke, Nipsey Hussle and the Notorious B.I.G. › 🎤 Pop Smoke Mural in Canarsie: The Redone Tribute to Brooklyn's Own (Photos) Three murals were planned around the Flatlands area in Canarsie, and only one was ever completed. › 🖌️ Pop Smoke Mural No. 2 Haitian artist Kenny Altidor painted the second Pop Smoke tribute and has also painted a mural of Chadwick Boseman. › 👑 Pop Smoke Mural No. 3: Kings of Brooklyn Homage The mural depicts other rappers besides Pop Smoke, including Biggie Smalls and Sean Price of Boot Camp Clik. › 🏚️ The Gentrification House A graffiti-covered building stands beside a modern multi-story apartment building in Bushwick. ›

🎤 The Pop Smoke Mural No. 3 post marks the third anniversary of his death and credits five artists.