Holograms may be an increasingly popular form of tribute to dead icons, but Brooklyn-based artist Tanda Francis is looking to memorialize slain rapper Notorious B.I.G. with something a little more permanent. According to NME, Francis has started work on a bronze statue of the Brooklyn rapper, whose real name was Christopher Wallace, in conjunction with the Hip Hop Hall Of Fame Museum. Biggie’s Bed-Stuy neighborhood—specifically, the Putnam Triangle Plaza in Clinton Hill—will be home to the bronze statue when it’s completed. And now fans can contribute to a GoFundMe page for the project, which has a goal of $35,000.
The money raised will cover the building and materials of the statue, as well as the required city permits, mounting, etc. Dennis R. Mathis, CEO of Down Lo Music, is also working with the artist and the HHHOF Museum, as well as coordinating a donation to the Christopher Wallace Foundation in care of his mother, Voletta Wallace. ‘This project is special, to team up with the HHHOF to assist artists Tanda Francis realize her dream and remember a true hip hop icon,” Mathis said. The team hopes the Biggie landmark will serve as “a bold reminder of the hip hop and music history which has helped form the creative and cultural landscape of New York City and around the world.”