S. Samuel
In light of news about late rapper Notorious B.I.G.'s childhood Brooklyn, New York home hitting the real estate market, fellow BK hip-hop artist Skyzoo has offered his take on what should be done.
In Sky’s opinion, the iconic apartment should be made into a historic site.
“[If] possible, it should be turned into some sort of museum or gallery. Not the entire brownstone, just his actual apartment. The issue though, becomes who’s gonna pay the $1800 a month plus lights to keep it open.” (Coalmine Records)
The rapper also recalled meeting the late hip-hop icon during his teenage years.
“I met B.I.G. when I was 13. His road manager Hawk, who’s a good friend of mine, lived directly across the street from me, so B.I.G. would be there pretty often. One day he was out there and I went out there and said what’s up to him and he was real cool. But as a kid I saw B.I.G. all the time in passing, as well as Kim, Cease, etc. They were the older kids in the neighborhood before they were Biggie and Junior M.A.F.I.A., and my friends and I were the little bad kids playing basketball and running out of the corner store with pockets full of candy. Good times, man. Good times.” (Coalmine Records)
Buzz behind the apartment hitting the market surfaced online earlier this month.
The Clinton Hill apartment where the Notorious B.I.G. grew up went on the market yesterday for $725,000, the Intelligencer reports. The decor looks more like it suits an elderly couple than a hip-hop all-star, but remember he hasn’t lived there in decades–even though tour buses of devotees regularly make pilgrimages to the site. Located in a multi-family townhouse surrounded by others just like it, 226 Saint James Street #3L is a 3BR/1BA unit on a tree-lined street. Back in 2004, it sold for $424,866, according to Streeteasy, making this a hefty flip if buyers jump at the chance to live where a small Biggie Smalls (before he was even called that) hung his hat. (Curbed)
Listing agent Judith Lief provided details on the crib’s former occupants following the news.
Asked if she was aware of the condo’s significance in music, listing agent Judith Lief said this morning, “You must be kidding. I am.” Lief told Daily Intelligencer that “very lovable people” own the place and she wouldn’t want its past to affect its future. “The tour buses that come by regularly are enough,” she said. “I don’t really know yet what impact, if any, [Biggie’s looming presence] will have on the sale. I think it’ll be notable, but I don’t know if novelty translates to a purchase.” (NY Mag)
