The Notorious B.I.G.'s estate is celebrating what would have been his 50th birthday on May 21st by releasing G.O.A.T., a new single that sees the King of New York flexing alongside smooth contributions from Ty Dolla $ign and Bella Alubo. It's the first piece of new music from Biggie since 2005!
The song samples Biggie's beloved track I Love The Dough, which featured on his 1997 classic album Life After Death. The song's Afrobeats-inspired production is a testament to the legendary MC's global impact, and hearing Ty and Bella glide on the beat alongside Biggie is a reminder of his impact on the artists of today. Ty's verse pays homage to the late rapper, while Bella's hook is silky-smooth.
Speaking about featuring on the track, Ty says, “Being on a song with Biggie has been a dream of mine since I was a kid. The song title is fitting of him…the GOAT. Happy Birthday, Big. We miss you!” His respect for Biggie's music is evident in his lyrics on G.O.A.T.. Ty brought his A-game for this one.
Biggie's mum, Voletta Wallace, spoke glowingly about the track, explaining, “It’s wonderful to witness my son’s music reimagined for his fans and today’s generation of young men and women to embrace his art. I appreciate the hard work of all involved in bringing together the perfect blend of voices and music to this song, G.O.A.T.”
His hometown of New York is set to mark Biggie's 50th birthday in style. The Empire State Building will light up on May 21st to celebrate his monumental debut album, Ready To Die. The colours of the lights on the historic building will be changed to red and white, while a crown will spin on the building's mast.
The tribute will be preceded by a ceremony at the Empire State Building on May 20th, which will see his mother, children and dear friends and collaborators attend the commemoration of a G.O.A.T.. There are also other plans to honour his birthday, including a video montage that will play atop the entrance of the Barclays Center.
READ MORE: Why The Notorious B.I.G.'s 'Ready To Die' Is Still Profound 25 Years Later
You can check out G.O.A.T. below. It's a reminder of Biggie's legendary flow and it's proof that legends never really die. Their memories and their contributions to the world will always live on.
