Notorious B.I.G. on 20th Death Anniversary6 min read

The Notorious B.I.G, also known as Biggie Smalls and whose real name was Christopher Wallace, was killed in a drive-by shooting age 24 as he left a music industry party at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles on March 9, 1997.

The rapper’s death remains one of the most high-profile killings in music history. His killer was never found.

His friend Sean “Diddy” Combs wants fans to help him celebrate his life on the 20th anniversary of his death.

Meanwhile, the rapper’s widow Faith Evans says in a new interview that although she does not have closure, his voice will live on via a new record she is putting out to honor his legacy.

Many have speculated the shooting stemmed from a feud between the East and West Coast rap community. Diddy, then known as Puff Daddy, headed the New York-based record label Bad Boy Entertainment, to which Biggie was signed. He had also attended the party.

Recently Evans has been working on a duets album featuring B.I.G’s vocals. The record, The King & I, is due to drop on May 19, two days before what would have been his 45th birthday. It also features verses from the likes of Busta Rhymes, one of the rapper’s good friends, and Lil’ Kim, who had had an affair with him while he was married to Evans.