There’s something about Biggie’s voice that still pulls a crowd, even decades after his last verse. The Notorious B.I.G.’s legacy continues to draw fans and artists together for public tributes that range from orchestral performances at Lincoln Center to commemorative nights at Barclays Center.
Born: May 21, 1972 (Rhino) ·
Died: March 9, 1997 (20th anniversary noted in Billboard) ·
Major tribute events: 5+ ·
First public tribute: 2016 Bad Boy Reunion (Rolling Stone) ·
Most recent: 2022 Lincoln Center orchestral tribute (Rhino)
Quick snapshot
- Lincoln Center hosted an orchestral tribute on June 10, 2022 (Rhino)
- Bad Boy Reunion concert held on May 20, 2016 at Barclays Center (Rolling Stone)
- Brooklyn Nets Biggie Night on March 12, 2017 (Brooklyn Nets)
- BET aired #Biggie20 tribute on March 9, 2017 (Billboard)
- Exact attendance figures for each event
- Whether future official tributes are planned
- Full set list details for the 2021 Celebrate Biggie event
- Whether the estate plans to release official recordings of the tributes
- 2016: Bad Boy Reunion for Biggie’s 44th birthday
- 2017: 20th anniversary of death triggers multiple events
- 2021: Prospect Park tribute
- 2022: Lincoln Center orchestral tribute for 50th birthday
- Potential for future anniversary events (e.g., 30th anniversary in 2027)
- Possibility of more orchestral tributes or museum exhibitions
Five events, one pattern: each tribute reflects a different facet of Biggie’s influence — from a full orchestra reimagining his beats to a reunion of his Bad Boy peers.
| Event | Date | Venue | Organizer | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bad Boy Reunion Concert | May 20, 2016 | Barclays Center, Brooklyn | Puff Daddy | Rolling Stone |
| Brooklyn Nets Biggie Night | March 12, 2017 | Barclays Center | Brooklyn Nets | Brooklyn Nets |
| BET #Biggie20 Tribute | March 9, 2017 | Television | BET | Billboard |
| Celebrate Biggie Tribute | August 2021 | Prospect Park, Brooklyn | BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival | Hudson Valley Press |
| Lincoln Center Orchestral Tribute | June 10, 2022 | Lincoln Center, NYC | Lincoln Center / Bad Boy / Atlantic / Rhino / Christopher Wallace Estate | GRAMMY, Lincoln Center |
| Livestream of Lincoln Center tribute | June 10, 2022 | Amazon Music Channel on Twitch | Lincoln Center | Lincoln Center (same as above) |
Biggie’s estate has partnered with major institutions (Lincoln Center, Barclays Center) to keep his music in the public ear, but the format varies widely — from a full orchestra to a hip-hop lineup.
Major Tribute Concerts and Memorials
Public tributes to The Notorious B.I.G. have taken multiple forms since his death in 1997. The earliest major event occurred in 2016 when Rolling Stone reported that Puff Daddy set a Bad Boy Reunion concert for May 20 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, coinciding with what would have been Biggie’s 44th birthday. The concert featured Lil Kim, Faith Evans, Mary J. Blige, and Jay Z according to The Jakarta Post.
The pattern: each anniversary milestone — 20th, 44th, 50th — has triggered a new wave of public remembrance.
- 2016: Bad Boy Reunion (Rolling Stone)
- 2017: Brooklyn Nets Biggie Night (Brooklyn Nets)
- 2017: BET #Biggie20 (Billboard)
- 2021: Celebrate Biggie at Prospect Park (Hudson Valley Press)
- 2022: Lincoln Center Orchestral Tribute (Rhino)
The implication: each event has drawn a different audience — from hip-hop purists to classical music fans — proving Biggie’s cross-generational appeal.
Lincoln Center Orchestral Tribute (2022)
The most ambitious tribute to date came on June 10, 2022, when Lincoln Center hosted an orchestral celebration of Biggie’s music as part of its Summer for the City series. The event was free to the public with limited advance reservation tickets, and Lincoln Center confirmed that fans could also watch via a livestream on the Amazon Music Channel on Twitch, or on the Hauser Digital Wall in the lobby of David Geffen Hall.
“This encore performance closes out Biggie’s 50th birthday celebration.”
— Lincoln Center listing
GRAMMY framed the event as part of celebrating Biggie’s 50th birthday, and noted that the show began at 7:30 p.m. The tribute was hosted in partnership with Bad Boy / Atlantic / Rhino Records and The Christopher Wallace Estate, according to Rhino.
Fans who couldn’t secure a reservation still had a free livestream option — but the in-person experience at one of New York’s premier cultural venues was a limited, ticketed affair.
The pattern: by pairing a highbrow venue with a hip-hop icon, Lincoln Center created a bridge between two musical worlds that rarely meet on stage.
Bad Boy Reunion Concert (2016)
Five years before the orchestral tribute, Puff Daddy (now known as Diddy) brought the Bad Boy family together for a reunion concert at Barclays Center on May 20, 2016. Rolling Stone reported that the show was set to coincide with what would have been Biggie’s 44th birthday. The lineup included Lil Kim, Faith Evans, Mary J. Blige, and Jay Z according to The Jakarta Post — a who’s who of 1990s R&B and hip-hop royalty.
For readers interested in the career of the man who organized this event, our detailed guide on Puff Daddy 2025: Where Is He, Legal Case, Net Worth provides context on his evolving role in hip-hop and business.
The implication: the Bad Boy Reunion concert was the only tribute organized entirely by Biggie’s label, setting the template for subsequent events.
Brooklyn Nets Biggie Night (2017)
The Brooklyn Nets turned a basketball game into a tribute on March 12, 2017, with Biggie Night at Barclays Center. The Nets announced that the event would commemorate the 20th anniversary of his passing, which fell on March 9 that year. The night included special performances, video tributes, and giveaways — a blend of sports and music that leveraged Biggie’s Brooklyn roots.
“Biggie Night will commemorate the 20th anniversary of his passing.”
— Brooklyn Nets official announcement
The catch: while the event was a one-night affair, it set a precedent for NBA teams to use their platform for hip-hop memorials.
BET and Other Tributes
On the same day as the 20th anniversary — March 9, 2017 — BET aired #Biggie20, a tribute special that Billboard reported as marking the 20th anniversary of his death. The broadcast included interviews with family, friends, and fellow artists, along with classic music videos.
Later, in August 2021, the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival hosted a “Celebrate Biggie” concert at Prospect Park. Hudson Valley Press reported that the lineup included Busta Rhymes, Lil’ Kim, Junior M.A.F.I.A., The LOX, DJ Stretch Armstrong, and DJ Steph Cakes — a strong Brooklyn-centric lineup that brought the energy back to Biggie’s home borough.
Timeline of Remembrance
Six events, one direction: each anniversary has pushed the tribute format further, from a standard concert to a full orchestral production.
- May 20, 2016 — Bad Boy Reunion Concert at Barclays Center (Rolling Stone)
- March 9, 2017 — BET #Biggie20 tribute (Billboard)
- March 12, 2017 — Brooklyn Nets Biggie Night (Brooklyn Nets)
- August 2021 — Celebrate Biggie at Prospect Park (Hudson Valley Press)
- June 10, 2022 — Lincoln Center Orchestral Tribute (Rhino)
The catch: the gap between 2017 and 2021 suggests that tributes are not annual — they follow milestone anniversaries.
What’s Still Unclear
While the events themselves are well-documented, several details remain unconfirmed:
- Exact attendance figures for each event — no official numbers have been released by any venue.
- Whether the Christopher Wallace Estate plans a recurring annual tribute, or only milestone-based events.
- Full performance details for the 2021 Celebrate Biggie show — the set list and which artists performed which songs.
- Whether any 2027 30th anniversary events are already in planning.
These gaps matter because they affect how fans plan their engagement — and how the estate measures the cultural impact of these tributes.
Quotes from the Events
“We wanted to celebrate the life and legacy of the Notorious B.I.G. in a way that felt true to his music.”
— A representative from the Christopher Wallace Estate (via Rhino)
“Biggie Night will commemorate the 20th anniversary of his passing.”
— Brooklyn Nets official announcement
“This encore performance closes out Biggie’s 50th birthday celebration.”
— Lincoln Center listing
Each quote reflects a different emphasis: the estate focuses on legacy, the sports venue on anniversary commemoration, and the cultural institution on a celebratory closing.
Related reading
- Puff Daddy 2025: Where Is He, Legal Case, Net Worth — Explore the career of Biggie’s close collaborator and Bad Boy Records founder.
- Hilltop Hoods: Members, Famous Songs & Net Worth Guide — For fans of hip-hop artist profiles, this guide covers the Australian group’s discography and career.
Summary
The Notorious B.I.G.’s tribute events have evolved from a single birthday concert to a multi-format commemorative tradition involving orchestras, sports teams, and television networks. For fans in New York and beyond, the choice is clear: attend the next milestone event — whether it’s a 30th anniversary show in 2027 or a smaller community tribute — or risk missing the communal experience that keeps his music alive in the public square.
For those interested in a deeper dive into the rapper’s career, the complete guide to his life and legacy offers extensive context beyond the tribute events.
Frequently asked questions
What was the first major tribute to The Notorious B.I.G.?
The first major public tribute was the Bad Boy Reunion Concert on May 20, 2016, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, organized by Puff Daddy for what would have been Biggie’s 44th birthday (Rolling Stone).
Was the Lincoln Center orchestral tribute free?
Yes, the event was free to the public with limited advance reservation tickets. A livestream was also available for free on the Amazon Music Channel on Twitch and on the Hauser Digital Wall at David Geffen Hall (Rhino).
Who performed at the 2016 Bad Boy Reunion Concert?
The lineup included Lil Kim, Faith Evans, Mary J. Blige, and Jay Z, as reported by The Jakarta Post.
When was the Brooklyn Nets Biggie Night?
It took place on March 12, 2017, at Barclays Center, commemorating the 20th anniversary of Biggie’s passing (Brooklyn Nets).
What was the BET #Biggie20 tribute?
BET aired a special tribute on March 9, 2017, marking the 20th anniversary of Biggie’s death, featuring interviews and classic music videos (Billboard).
Was there a tribute in 2021?
Yes, the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival hosted a “Celebrate Biggie” concert at Prospect Park in August 2021, with performances by Busta Rhymes, Lil’ Kim, Junior M.A.F.I.A., The LOX, and others (Hudson Valley Press).
Are there plans for future Notorious B.I.G. tributes?
No official announcements have been made for future events, but the pattern of milestone anniversaries suggests potential for a 30th anniversary tribute in 2027.
Who organized the Lincoln Center tribute?
The tribute was hosted in partnership with Lincoln Center, Bad Boy / Atlantic / Rhino Records, and The Christopher Wallace Estate (Rhino).
Daniel Harper is Editor-in-Chief at Australia Current, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.