The Notorious B.I.G. was in Los Angeles to promote his sophomore album Life After Death on March 9, 1997, when he was killed in a drive-by shooting at the young age of 24. 

Although Biggie’s murder remains unsolved, retired Los Angeles Police Department Officer Greg Kading believes former Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight orchestrated the murder in revenge for the September 1996 killing of Tupac Shakur.

Twenty-five years later, Biggie is highly regarded as a hip-hop icon, and his work is celebrated all over the world. On Wednesday (March 9), Diddy shared a throwback video of Biggie on the mic, encouraging young fans to follow their dreams.

“There will NEVER be another,” he wrote in the caption. “The GREATEST RAPPER OF ALL TIME. Today we celebrate and honor you, king. Love and miss you!!”

Biggie released only one studio album while he was alive, his 1994 debut Ready To Die. The album featured several classic singles, including. “Juicy,” “Big Poppa,” and the DJ Premier-produced “Unbelievable.”

Life After Death arrived only 16 days after Biggie's death, making the album one of the most successful posthumous albums in hip-hop history. Guest contributors included 112, JAY-Z, Lil’ Kim, Mase, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Too $hort, D.M.C. of Run-D.M.C., R. Kelly, The LOX, and Diddy.

At the 40th Annual Grammy Awards, the album was nominated for Best Rap Album, while “Hypnotize” was nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance, and “Mo Money Mo Problems” earned him a trophy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.

Stay tuned for more on this and other hip-hop news.