9-Foot Biggie Smalls Sculpture Unveiled In Brooklyn

BROOKLYN, NY — Biggie Smalls now looks over Downtown Brooklyn — and his music will boom through the borough for months.

A 9-foot statue of the Brooklyn native was unveiled Wednesday at Cadman Plaza, launching a temporary interactive installation including daily beats played through a solar powered speakers.

“It was Biggie who said the words that I live and lead by: ‘Spread love, it’s the Brooklyn way,’” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.

The massive statue, made of bronze, resin, stainless, winterstone and wood depicts a famed photo of Christopher ‘The Notorious B.I.G.’ Wallace in a crown, with odes to his music and style — like the Coogi sweater he always wore and lyrics from his songs.

Biggie will sit at the plaza until November and the music, curated by DJ Mister Cee, will play from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays.

"Downtown Brooklyn is an introduction to a unique history, sophistication and culture within Kings County. The Notorious B.I.G.'s connection to Downtown Brooklyn runs deep," artist Sherwin Banfield said.

Odes to Biggie are all over Brooklyn. On Bedford Avenue and Quincy Street, a massive mural names him "King of New York," and on Fulton Street and South Portland Avenue, a mural depicts him like South American leader Che Guevara.

In Clinton Hill, the corner of St. James Place and Fulton Street is known as "Christopher 'Notorious B.I.G. Wallace' Way."

The hip hop legend was born in Bed-Stuy and the 50th anniversary of hip hop offered the perfect opportunity for another homage, Reynoso said.

"Hip hop is more than a genre, it’s a way of creating community, and this public art installation reflects that," Reynoso said.