last night family and friends of The Notorious B.I.G. joined Optimo in Brooklyn for the “Biggie Inspires” mural unveil, art exhibit and epic Ready To Die 25th anniversary celebration. The contest and events honored Biggie -on the 25th anniversary of his debut album “Ready To Die”-.
Created by Optimo, “Biggie Inspires” was a one-of-a-kind art contest where more than 170 artists created and submitted art inspired by B.I.G., his music and style.
The culmination of the contest featured the announcement of the winners at an unveiling of Hong’s mural on display in Biggie’s old Brooklyn neighborhood of Bed-Stuy (176 Flushing Ave, Brooklyn).
Hong is an artist and curator based in Seattle, WA whose work has been exhibited in New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Seattle. Her paintings emphasize the fine line between abstraction and realism, and celebrates the vibrancy of cultures and communities through the hip-hop icons she admires.
Commenting on the Biggie Inspires contest, Hong said, “Music is a sonic form of art that allows you to see all the beautiful colors in the life we live in. If The Notorious B.I.G was alive today, he would be smoking the biggest blunt or fattest cigar and most importantly, he would continue his legacy of making colorful and influential music. His music is a constant push to my own hustle and drive in my own creative world. In my artwork, I try to honor that legacy.”
The other winning artist, Cinque Smith, also had his work on display for public view in Williamsburg (100 N 10th St, Brooklyn). Smith is from Dayton, OH and is a self-taught artist who has been drawing since the early age of three, inspired by illustration, film and music. His work is a combination of different techniques with a strong emphasis on the human condition, through color texture and symbolism.
This ultra private event included attendees: Faith Evans, Lil’ Kim, Rick Ross, Voletta Wallace, Christopher Jordan Wallace, T’yanna Wallace, Christian Combs, Damion “DRoc” Butler, James “Lil Cease” Lloyd, Kevin ’50 Gran’ Griffin’,
Dj Enuff Swisher International Executives including Dave Untiedt, Vice President of Consumer Marketing; Cherie Lee, Vice President of Creative and Consumer Engagement; and Michelle Burgstiner, Director of Creative Consumer Engagement, and more.
Through out the night B.I.G.’s presence was felt around the room however it was when his art was projected onto a building below -and everyone instructed to head out to the balcony to watch while ‘Juicy’ was blasting out of the speakers that- that something changed. The event suddenly transitioned from an art exhibit and album celebration to a very intimate loving remembrance of an artist we all missed dearly. It was also at this point that everyone let their hair down, partied hard and spread love the Brooklyn way, biggie baby! (uh)
