CJ Wallace, son of the late Biggie Smalls, beams with pride after New York City announced a proclamation honoring the legendary rapper, recognizing his influence on the music industry. Wallace accepted the honor on behalf of his father Thursday as the city celebrated Biggie Smalls, who would have turned 50 this weekend.
“Ever since I was 14, 15, when I really needed to realize how important this family legacy is, I’ve made it my life. That’s all I can do. I can’t go a day without thinking about who my dad is and the impact he was able to make, and it inspires me to continue doing the same thing in my own way but still obviously keeping Brooklyn first, New to keep York first,” Wallace said, according to CBS News.
While he now resides in Los Angeles, Wallace said his connections will forever remain in his hometown.
“I know I’m being told to get out of here as soon as possible,” he said while accepting the proclamation. “But yeah man, that’s a lot for me to really process and absorb. I wish my sister was here, obviously to be here, she couldn’t make it. I just want to thank you guys. Thank you, thank you.”
The proud son also expressed his excitement on Instagram while posing with the proclamation he accepted.
“MAY 21 is a BIG DAY,” he wrote.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams gushed about Biggie Smalls’ inspiring life as he presented the proclamation.
“He was raised by a single mother. That’s why so many of us could relate to it. Just the love his mother showed. But what he did, which I thought was so much more significant, was that he was able to turn pain into meaning. He used his music to define what’s happening in everyday life,” Adams said.
The mayor also highlighted the rapper’s influence on Brooklyn.
“He put Brooklyn on the map and no matter where you go, he loved Brooklyn and Brooklyn loves him. And so does his son, CJ Wallace, his daughter, Tiana, and everyone who is here, the Junior Mafia present. The whole crew, everyone who’s here. And so we just want to spend the day celebrating an icon in New York City and the music,” Adams said. “We know he is one of the greatest rappers of all time and his music continues to inspire so many who listen and play it. Here you used to hate saying the 5-0. But we’re happy to say 5-0 today for brother Biggie Smalls and what he represents.”
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As Blavity previously reported, New York continued to honor Biggie on Saturday when the MTA released limited-edition MetroCards featuring the hip-hop icon’s face.
“Biggie Smalls, Notorious BIG, at least the greatest rapper in New York history, some would say the greatest rapper of all time,” Janno Lieber, chairman and CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, said during a news conference in Grand Central Terminal on Thursday. amNY reported.
Biggie, real name Christopher Wallace, died in 1997 at the age of 24 when he was shot dead in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles.