The legendary 90s rapper The Notorious B.I.G., also known as Biggie Smalls, has been digitally revived in a groundbreaking collaboration with The Sandbox, a leading metaverse gaming platform.
This partnership, which includes The Notorious B.I.G.’s estate and Warner Music Group, introduces an immersive experience called “Breakin’ B.I.G.” in The Sandbox, enabling fans to interact with the rapper’s legacy in a novel and engaging way.
A Virtual Homage to Biggie Smalls
Set against the backdrop of a Brooklyn-inspired environment, “Breakin’ B.I.G.” offers players a unique journey through the life and challenges of an aspiring rap artist in the metaverse.
Participants will encounter the non-playable character (NPC) of The Notorious B.I.G., embarking on quests that pay tribute to his music and the era he symbolized.
These tasks range from contributing to the virtual community to facing off against the rapper’s rivals, encapsulating the spirit of Biggie’s Brooklyn.
Elliot Osagie, Chief Strategy Officer for The Notorious B.I.G. Estate, expressed enthusiasm for the project, highlighting its significance in preserving the rapper’s cultural impact:
“No artist represents the style of the 90s more than Biggie,” said Osagie. “By bringing the appeal of the 90s style side-scrolling game, starring Biggie’s music, to an innovative Web3 platform, we are ensuring that the world he built will continue to be enjoyed by day-one fans and discovered by today’s new generation of fans in fresh innovative ways that remain authentic to Biggie’s brand and goals as an artist.”
🎤 @thenotoriousbig enters The Sandbox! 👑 Celebrate the rap legend with 1,500 unique avatars.
Join the allowlist for The Big Poppa Collection – inspired by Biggie's iconic style and legacy 💎 Starts Dec 5 pic.twitter.com/DhUu2B7TlI
— The Sandbox (@TheSandboxGame) December 4, 2023
Expanding Biggie’s Legacy in the Digital Realm
In addition to the metaverse experience, the collaboration will introduce an exclusive NFT avatar collection and an update to Warner Music Group’s social hub within The Sandbox.
This move further solidifies the estate’s and Warner Music’s commitment to exploring and integrating blockchain technology into their legacy preservation strategies.
Sebastien Borget, COO and Co-Founder of The Sandbox, shared his excitement about the project, emphasizing its unique contribution to the platform’s diverse offerings:
“I’m excited for our players to explore a rich Brooklyn environment with an arcade-inspired feel unlike anything we’ve done before,” Borget stated. “Fans will interact with Biggie in entirely new ways as they immerse themselves in a throwback 90s adventure.”
Notorious B.I.G. Among Stars in The Sandbox
The addition of The Notorious B.I.G.’s likeness to The Sandbox places him among other celebrities and iconic figures who have ventured into the metaverse, including Elvis Presley, Snoop Dogg, Paris Hilton, Deadmau5, and Steve Aoki.
This initiative follows previous efforts by Biggie’s estate to engage with digital platforms, such as the release of NFTs inspired by the rapper and the announcement of another Biggie-inspired metaverse world called The Brook.
As The Sandbox continues to forge partnerships across various industries, from fashion giants like Gucci to fast-food chains like McDonald’s, Warner Music is also advancing its blockchain endeavors, including collaborations with Ready Player Me for branded character skins and Polygon Labs for a music blockchain accelerator.
