Never-Before-Seen Photos of the Late Notorious B.I.G.
Photos from the personal archive of Rob Stone
This past week, The Fader, released never-before-seen photos of the late Notorious B.I.G., as May 21st marked what would have been the rapper's 42nd birthday. The photos are from the personal archive of The FADER's co-founder Rob Stone, who served as VP of promotion during the promotional run for Biggie’s debut album, Ready to Die.
The article includes an excerpt where Stone recalls memories with Biggie, specifically in the early days when they were first trying to get the rapper's music played on a mainstream radio station in LA. The rare photos take you back in time to B.I.G.'s early era in the industry, in true 90's fashion, including other friends and artists such as Craig Mack, Sway and Funkmaster Flex.
Check out the following photos and be sure to check out The Fader's Notorious B.I.G. Icon issue here.
[Via The Fader]
Outkast Announces Over 40 Festival Dates
Outkast is gearing up for one hell of a 2014. On the heels of the announcement that the duo, preparing to celebrate their 20 year anniversary, would headline this year's packed Coachella, Big Boi and Andre 3000 announced a tour of over 40 festival dates that are expected to run the course of the year via their social networking accounts earlier today. No word yet on the precise locations or dates of the announced sets, but expect that to roll out soon.
The Atlanta duo has gotten music fans buzzing with the recent news of their reunion, after stopping work together after their 2006 movie Idlewild and just after their last album, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, which went eleven times platinum and sold over 11 million copies. None of the reunion news has come with a promise of new music, but we can all hope. In the mean time, there is a disturbing amount of Belieber Kool-Aid-drinking Twitter fiends who don't have any idea who Outkast is, which has (thankfully) since been taken down.
The announcement was also made on Outkast's personal website, with the following message:
“Ingenious and iconic recording artists and performers, Antwan “Big Boi” Patton and André “3000? Benjamin today announced via Outkast’s social media platforms that their return to the stage celebrating their 20th anniversary will include festival dates around the world. After headlining performances at Coachella in April, the influential group will be the marquee act at over 40 festivals around the world throughout the Spring/Summer of 2014 (dates to be announced).
“It’s truly an honor to celebrate 20 years and still be free to do music the way we choose,” said Big Boi. “Don’t just think outside the box, know that there is no box. I’m looking forward to rocking the stage with my Bro Ski and to all the fans – stank you smelly much, this is for y’all!”
“And imagine, all we wanted to do was rap! I am thankful to have been a part of a group that allowed me to explore anything that came to mind and have fun doing it. Returning to the stage together is the most exciting way for us to thank everyone for their 20 years of supporting Outkast,” said André 3000.”
