Diddy, Usher, Lin-Manuel Miranda and More Honor Notorious BIG on 20th Anniversary of His Death
Biggie Smalls was a hip-hop legend.
Stars in the music community and at large took to social media on Thursday to pay their respects to the Notorious B.I.G. -- the "Hypnotize" artist widely credited as one of the most influential rappers of all time -- on the 20th anniversary of his death, when he was shot and killed in Los Angeles on March 9, 1997. He was only 24.
Sean "Diddy" Combs posted several tweets remembering the late rapper, writing, "20 years ago today we lost the greatest rapper of all time, The Notorious B.I.G. #WeMissYouBIG."
WATCH: Diddy Gets 3rd Knee Surgery in a Year, Was Told He'd 'Never Run Again'
Diddy also shared a heartfelt video honoring Biggie (real name: Christopher Wallace), whom he acknowledges, "has fed a lot of families, made a lot of people dance."
Shortly thereafter, the rapper and producer encouraged fans to post their favorite Biggie lyrics, writing, "Share your favorite BIG verses using the hashtag #WeMissYouBIG."
Usher was among those who participated, quoting lyrics to Biggie's song, "Sky's the Limit," writing, "'...only make moves when your heart’s in it, and live the phrase 'sky's the limit.'"
Meanwhile, Busta Rhymes remembered Biggie on Instagram, writing, "Miss u KIng... 20yrs ago from today they took one of our Gods from us. Gone but never forgotten beloved. Rest easy KING!! #RIPBIG."
And Biggie's widow, Faith Evans, went on the Breakfast Club radio show to remember the late star.
"We just have to move on and live with the great memories of B.I.G. that we've had," Evans said. "I still feel like there's a huge part of my life that's gone."
The R&B singer is also releasing a duets album, titled The King & I on May 19, just before what would have been the rapper's 45th birthday.
LL Cool J remembered Biggie, tweeting, "Gone but never forgotten. #RIPBIG #BiggieSmalls."
"Why so many Biggie references in Hamilton?" the Broadway production's creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda, tweeted on Thursday. "Because as a storyteller, he's unmatched. He set the bar: we're all reaching for it. #RIPBig."
R.I.P. Biggie Smalls.