Pepsi MAX® is continuing its 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop celebrations by unveiling a series of murals across London in honour of one of the genre’s most prolific icons: The Notorious B.I.G. The unveiling of these tributes follows last month’s announcement that Pepsi MAX has teamed up with The Notorious B.I.G. Estate to mark the music genre’s landmark milestone, and pay homage to Biggie’s enduring legacy that is still revered and loved today.
Pepsi MAX has enlisted the bold and energetic stylings of some of the UK’s finest street artists, Mr Cenz, Gent 48 and Joey Green to bring the vibrance of Biggie’s rhythms and rhymes to the streets of Brixton, Peckham and Shoreditch respectively through their own creative lens. Inspired by quotes from the rap legend’s family and some of his notable lyrics, each mural delves into unique elements of Biggie’s identity, including his Jamaican heritage, his love of fashion, and his laid back approach whilst edging towards the height of his success. Featured amongst the vivid colours and detailed brush strokes of the three unique murals, is the brand’s campaign title ‘One More Time’ which signifies Biggie’s timeless return to the forefront of cultural conversation once more through creative tributes to his lasting impact.
Mr Cenz, muralist who brought Biggie to Shoreditch said: “While it’s no secret that The Notorious B.I.G. is one of the most immortalised musicians through street art, getting to hone in on a specific element of his identity while partnering with Pepsi MAX, a brand that champions music and culture, has been truly special. Collaborating on a mural that’s truly unique, my piece explores Biggie’s influence on hip hop culture outside of music, as his style undoubtedly shaped how fans of the genre dressed.”
Gent 48, whose mural can be found in Peckham, said: “It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with Pepsi MAX to commemorate one of the most recognisable faces in hip hop during this monumental milestone for the genre. Biggie was known for taking a chilled approach to his hustle to the top of his game, despite his massive presence in hip hop, so my mural plays on that notion. I wanted to portray him in his element enjoying the tropical sun around a hot tub, quietly basking in his success – and rightly so!”
Joey Green, whose Biggie tribute has taken over Brixton, said: “Biggie’s family has been instrumental in continuing his legacy over the years, so I was thrilled to create a piece inspired by an anecdote from his mother, Ms. Voletta Wallace about his childhood and Jamaican roots. My piece is heavily inspired by themes of his home island which he visited every summer as a child and which I imagine would have influenced the man and legend he grew up to become.”
Born Christopher Wallace in Brooklyn, New York, the iconic rapper, better known by his stage name ‘The Notorious B.I.G.’, is widely considered one of the greatest rappers of all time and most influential of the 1990s rap era. Biggie’s music still feels as fresh and current as it did back then, and his impact on music and broader culture continues today.
So, why has Pepsi MAX teamed up with The Notorious B.I.G. Estate? Well, an old freestyle was unearthed that highlighted Biggie was a ‘B.I.G.’ fan of Pepsi. The track, recorded in 1997, features the lyrics, “Nothing can beat the P-E-P-S-I, yes I drink it constantly / Something ’bout the taste feels great, less filling / Tell ’em Biggie said to drink it all, don’t test me / Nothing else beats a Pepsi / If it is, let’s see/ I’m thirsty.” The track was remastered and released as part of Pepsi’s tribute to Biggie when he was posthumously inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Pepsi Freestyle not only highlighted Biggie’s love of Pepsi, but also forged a trusted partnership between the wider brand including its no-sugar variation and his Estate, coming together in the 50th year of Hip Hop to honour his impact internationally.
