One of the late US rapper The Notorious B.I.G. worn plastic crown has been auctioned for nearly $ 600,000.
One of the hip-hop scene's most famous memorabilia has been auctioned. A plastic crown made by rapper The Notorious B.I.G., who was killed around 23 years ago. (1972-1997, "Hypnotize"), fetched almost $ 600,000 at auction by the long-established auction house Sotheby's. The highest bidder pays the equivalent of almost 510,000 euros for a crown that, according to media reports, was supposed to have cost just six dollars to buy at the time. The auction house had previously estimated today's value at between $ 200,000 and $ 300,000.
The plastic crown was worn by the rapper during the famous "King of New York" photo session, in which the photographer Barron Claiborne was responsible for the shoot. The crown now sold was also signed by Claiborne and Biggie, real name Christopher Wallace.
The King of New York
The Notorious B.I.G. was then portrayed for the cover of the US magazine "Rap Pages". Claiborne wanted to portray the rapper as "King of New York". Sean Combs (50), also known as rapper P. Diddy and Puff Daddy, the boss of Biggie's label "Bad Boy Records" at the time, was also there, fearing that Wallace might look more like the "Burger King". The Notorious B.I.G. However, dared a try and thus became the motif for one of the most famous hip-hop recordings of all time. It is also the last portrait of Biggie, who was shot three days later in Los Angeles.