The crypto platform OneOf has unveiled a new NFT partnership with the Notorious B.I.G’s Christopher Wallace Estate, Sky’s the Limit: The Notorious B.I.G. Collection, after teasing the team-up back in March.
The set will feature unique 3D NFT figurine characters inspired by Biggie’s life, lyrics, and style. Anyone who purchases an NFT will also be given the rights to license audio of an iconic B.I.G. freestyle delivered on a street corner in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn when he was just 17 years old. The audio has never been released or made available for sample or download until now.
“Biggie’s music is a very important part of hip-hop culture and it’s global impact,” said Wayne Barrow, manager of Voletta Wallace/the Notorious B.I.G.’s estate. “Our business partner, Elliot Osagie of Willingie Inc, came up with the concept of coming together with OneOf to share the infamous freestyle that showcased to the world the icon that Biggie would soon become through an NFT, and sharing it with his fans in this way we are certain would make him proud.”
Joshua James, OneOf Co-Founder & COO, added that this NFT collection represented a “watershed” moment in cryptocurrency.
“We named this collection Sky’s the Limit because we believe this is a watershed moment in NFTs where seminal artists like Biggie and their truest fans can drive culture and drive value together,” he said. “We’re thrilled to work with The Christopher Wallace Estate to honor Biggie’s enduring legacy, in web3 and beyond, and we have some amazing surprises for NFT holders along the way.”
The collection is available at OneOf’s website starting July 25, and comes after Biggie’s hometown pulled out all the stops to celebrate what would have been the rap legend’s 50th birthday last month. On May 21, the Empire State Building lit up in red and white and included a spinning crown around its mast to pay homage to Biggie’s debut Ready to Die. Barclays Center in his home borough of Brooklyn also played a massive broadcast above the arena’s entrance that included montages of some of B.I.G.’s biggest tracks.
To cap off the celebrations, Diddy’s Bad Boy Records dropped a limited edition vinyl of the diamond-certified, Grammy-nominated album Life After Death. Dubbed the 25th Anniversary Super Deluxe, the box set features eight LPs and a dense booklet full of rare photos from the album’s cover shoot. It is currently available for $179.98.
Revisit the legendary freestyle below.
