While some of hip-hop's newer figures think the Notorious B.I.G. is overrated, there are plenty of listeners clamouring for new music from the hip-hop icon. Now, the late rapper's wife, R&B singer Faith Evans, has announced an album of duets with him will soon see the light of day.
Evans revealed that the long-awaited album, titled The King & I, will see release on May 19. The release date marks two days before what would have been Biggie's 45th birthday.
The King & I is said to tell "the story of their life together" through 25 tracks, featuring newly recorded vocals from Evans and "vocals by Biggie Smalls, some well-known but also a selection of rare and unheard rhymes from the B.I.G. vault." The two first met at a photo shoot in 1994 and were married only nine days later.
The King & I also includes a star-studded list of feature artists such as Busta Rhymes, Jadakiss, Lil' Cease, Lil' Kim, Sheek Louch, Styles P and Snoop Dogg, in addition to production from DJ Premier, Just Blaze, Salaam Remi, Stevie J, and Chucky Thompson. Additional narration will come courtesy of Biggie's mother, Voletta Wallace.
"I remember telling Ms. Wallace [Biggie's mother] years ago that one day it would be really dope if I could do something similar to Natalie & Nat King Cole's 'Unforgettable,'" Evans said in a statement. "Knowing the love that B.I.G. had for Tyanna & Ceejay, I feel it's my duty to uphold & extend his legacy, especially his musical contributions. This project is my creative reflection of the love we had & the bond we will always have. I'm elated to share this musical journey with our fans!"
The King & I will see release on May 19 through Warner, with pre-order information for CD, LP and digital editions available here. Read through the tracklisting to hear the Snoop Dogg-assisted "When We Party" and the Jadakiss-assisted "NYC" in the players below.
The King & I:
1. A Billion
2. Legacy
3. Beautiful (Interlude)
4. Can't Get Enough
5. Don't Test Me
6. Big/Faye (Interlude) (feat. Jamal Woolard)
7. Tryna Get By
8. The Reason
9. I Don't Want It (feat. Lil' Cease)
10. I Got Married (Interlude) (feat. Mama Wallace)
11. Wife Commandments
12. We Just Clicked (Interlude) (feat. Mama Wallace)
13. A Little Romance
14. The Baddest (Interlude)
15. Fool For You
16. Crazy (Interlude) (feat. 112 & Mama Wallace)
17. Got Me Twisted
18. When We Party (feat. Snoop Dogg)
19. Somebody Knows (feat. Busta Rhymes)
20. Take Me There (feat. Sheek Louch & Styles P)
21. One In The Same
22. I Wish (Interlude) (feat. Kevin McCall & Chyna Tahjere)
23. Lovin You For Life (feat. Lil' Kim)
24. NYC (feat. Jadakiss)
25. It Was Worth It
Evans revealed that the long-awaited album, titled The King & I, will see release on May 19. The release date marks two days before what would have been Biggie's 45th birthday.
The King & I is said to tell "the story of their life together" through 25 tracks, featuring newly recorded vocals from Evans and "vocals by Biggie Smalls, some well-known but also a selection of rare and unheard rhymes from the B.I.G. vault." The two first met at a photo shoot in 1994 and were married only nine days later.
The King & I also includes a star-studded list of feature artists such as Busta Rhymes, Jadakiss, Lil' Cease, Lil' Kim, Sheek Louch, Styles P and Snoop Dogg, in addition to production from DJ Premier, Just Blaze, Salaam Remi, Stevie J, and Chucky Thompson. Additional narration will come courtesy of Biggie's mother, Voletta Wallace.
"I remember telling Ms. Wallace [Biggie's mother] years ago that one day it would be really dope if I could do something similar to Natalie & Nat King Cole's 'Unforgettable,'" Evans said in a statement. "Knowing the love that B.I.G. had for Tyanna & Ceejay, I feel it's my duty to uphold & extend his legacy, especially his musical contributions. This project is my creative reflection of the love we had & the bond we will always have. I'm elated to share this musical journey with our fans!"
The King & I will see release on May 19 through Warner, with pre-order information for CD, LP and digital editions available here. Read through the tracklisting to hear the Snoop Dogg-assisted "When We Party" and the Jadakiss-assisted "NYC" in the players below.
The King & I:
1. A Billion
2. Legacy
3. Beautiful (Interlude)
4. Can't Get Enough
5. Don't Test Me
6. Big/Faye (Interlude) (feat. Jamal Woolard)
7. Tryna Get By
8. The Reason
9. I Don't Want It (feat. Lil' Cease)
10. I Got Married (Interlude) (feat. Mama Wallace)
11. Wife Commandments
12. We Just Clicked (Interlude) (feat. Mama Wallace)
13. A Little Romance
14. The Baddest (Interlude)
15. Fool For You
16. Crazy (Interlude) (feat. 112 & Mama Wallace)
17. Got Me Twisted
18. When We Party (feat. Snoop Dogg)
19. Somebody Knows (feat. Busta Rhymes)
20. Take Me There (feat. Sheek Louch & Styles P)
21. One In The Same
22. I Wish (Interlude) (feat. Kevin McCall & Chyna Tahjere)
23. Lovin You For Life (feat. Lil' Kim)
24. NYC (feat. Jadakiss)
25. It Was Worth It