The Notorious B.I.G. estate share 'Goat', the late icon's first single in 17 years

In time for what would have been The Notorious B.I.G.’s 50th birthday, the hip hop icon’s estate has shared his first single in 17 years, ‘G.O.A.T.’ Featuring Ty Dolla $ign and Nigerian R&B singer Bella Alubo, the new offering takes a sample of ‘I Love The Dough’ from Life After Death and transforms it into an Afrobeat freak out.

Opening up about the track in a press release, Ty Dolla $ign said: “Being on a song with Biggie has been a dream of mine since I was a kid. The song title is fitting of him…the GOAT. Happy Birthday, Big. We miss you!”

Biggie’s friends and family were all involved in the release of ‘G.O.A.T.’ The rapper’s mother, Voletta Wallace, said: “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. I appreciate the hard work of all involved in bringing together the perfect blend of voices and music to this song.”

Elliot Osagie – founder and chairman of Benin City Entertainment – has been working with Wallace and the Biggie Estate for nearly ten years. Of the new single, he said: “One of the things I’ve learned building Biggie’s audience all these years is his global impact. We wanted to create a song that paid homage to that impact, hence the Afrobeats theme.”

To honour Biggie’s 50th birthday, the Empire State Building in his hometown of New York will change its lights to red and white with a crown spinning in its mast, echoing the late rapper’s debut multi-platinum album Ready to Die

The celebrations will continue on June 10th, when the Lincoln Center will host a free orchestral tribute to The Notorious B.I.G featuring special guests. The same day, Bad Boy, Atlantic and Rhino Records will release a 25th Anniversary Super Deluxe boxset version of Life After Death.