“Can I Speak to Biggie” Sent to Radio Stations Across the
Country To Coincide with 11th Anniversary of Biggie’s Death
Just days before the 11th anniversary of the death of the Notorious B.I.G., rapper Bizzy Bone has joined a host of other rap superstars in recording a special tribute to the slain New York rapper.
The song, “Can I Speak to Biggie,” also features 50 Cent, Chingy, Maino, Bobby Valentino, R&B singer Chris Notez, and New York rapper H.B. “Hav-Boy” Monte, who also executive produced the project.
Monte said “Can I Speak to Biggie” is the first tribute of its kind. “This is the first tribute that has not been affiliated with Bad Boy Records and everyone that I reached out to was happy to do it,” he says. “Nobody even wanted any money for doing this.” Monte said the idea for the song, which promotes a positive message and features artists from every coast, was born out of a conversation he had with Ma$e and Jadakiss during which they discussed the idea of doing a song that would pay homage to Biggie. “I had the vision,” he said. “The studio that I work out of is in Bed-Stuy where Biggie was raised, the block that he was on everyday and that conversation between Ma$e and Jadakiss just kept running through my mind so I called a bunch of people that I thought would be great for the record – people who had meaning whether it meant past, present or future.”
Bizzy Bone said his participation in the recording was a “no brainer.” “I didn’t even have to think about it,” he said. “How could I not want to pay tribute to such an amazing spirit and talent as Biggie. It is an honor to be a part of this.”
Monte said he will continue to do Biggie tributes each year using different artists. He added that the song is being released to radio stations nationwide today and tomorrow and he hopes to tie the song into “Notorious,” the upcoming Fox Searchlight biopic on Biggie. He said he also plans to release exclusive behind-the-scenes video footage from the recording sessions.
