A new track featuring verses from The Notorious B.I.G. kicks off a celebration of what would have been the rap icon's 50th birthday.
"G.O.A.T.," released May 20 (the day before his birthday), is an Afrobeat-inspired song that combines new performances from rapper Ty Dolla $ign and Nigerian singer Bella Alubo with samples of Biggie's verses from "I Love the Dough," as heard on Life After Death, the studio album released only days after his still-unsolved murder in 1997.
“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," Voletta Wallace, the rapper's mother, said in a statement. “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.'”
The song's release is all part of a bigger celebration of The Notorious B.I.G.'s life and legacy. Also on May 20, Voletta Wallace, Biggie's two children, Lil Kim and Lil' Cease will be present to pay tribute to the rapper at a special ceremony at the Empire State Building in New York City. (The building's lights will change over to red and white a day later, with a spinning crown projected against the skyscraper's mast.)
READ MORE: The Notorious B.I.G.'s 'Life After Death': Five Tracks to Know
On June 10, a new deluxe edition of Life After Death will be released on vinyl, featuring the album alongside repressings of original 12" singles. That same day, a free public orchestral tribute to Biggie will take place at Lincoln Center in New York City. The concert will be simulcast on Twitch.