Biggie mural in Bed-Stuy to be destroyed

A 38-foot high, two story mural of Brooklyn’s finest, The Notorious B.I.G., will be destroyed if the owner of the building it’s painted on follows through with his plans to renovate and add windows. The mural was painted in 2015 by Spread Art NYC artists Naoufal “Rocko” Alaoui and Scott “Zimer” Zimmerman at the intersection of Bedford Avenue and Quincy Street, a place that was a hangout of Biggie’s, according to Rocko. It has since drawn hip hop fans and tourists.

DNAInfo spoke with building landlord Samuel Berkowitz about the mural’s impending removal:

“Let me rephrase the question: Why should I keep it?” he said. “I don’t even see the point of the discussion. I could demolish the building if I wanted to, I don’t need no permission from anyone except the DOB.”

After turning down a $5000 offer from Spread Art NYC to preserve the mural, Berkowitz asked the collective for $1250 per month to keep it up.

There is also a petition on change.org trying to save the mural by making it into a landmark.

The 20 year anniversary of Biggie’s death passed in March. Among the many tributes, Brooklyn congressman Hakeem Jeffries recited Biggie lyrics on the House floor.