If it’s one thing that you’ll learn while listening to a song by The Notorious B.I.G., it’s exactly where he was from. The late Brooklyn legend made sure that whomever was listening to his music knew that Brooklyn, N.Y.C. was his home! May 21st marks the 50th birthday of Christopher Wallace known to the world as The Notorious B.I.G. and known to many as the greatest rapper of all time. To commemorate the Hip-Hop giant on his Golden 50th, his hometown will host a series of special events.

On Friday, May 20th, the Empire State Building will host a lighting ceremony to honor the iconic rapper. Visitors will be able to take pictures with a life-size photorealistic avatar of Biggie on the building’s 80th floor conservatory. The lighting ceremony will also include appearances by singer Faith Evans, rappers Lil Kim, Jada Kiss and Lil Cease as well as Biggie’s daughter T’yanna Wallace. Well known protégé of The Notorious B.I.G., Lil Kim also announced via Instagram that she will be hosting her 2nd annual B.I.G. Dinner Gala on Friday, May 20th to honor her late mentor.

The Barclays Center wil display images of Biggie’s records on their screens throughout the weekend. Finally on Saturday May 21st, shortly after sunset, the Empire State Building will light up with the colors red and white with a rotating crown and the number “50.” The colors red and white will symbolize the colors of The Notorious B.I.G.’s 1994 debut album Ready to Die.

In addition to all of this, the MTA will be releasing a limited edition MetroCard to commemorate the Hip-Hop giant. The MetroCard will only be available at three Brooklyn train stations including Lafayette Avenue; Clinton-Washington Avenue and Atlantic Avenue on the A, C & G train lines. So while fans are traveling to all these special events, they can also have a little piece of Christopher Wallace with them!

What a way to celebrate the greatest rapper to ever grace the microphone. #BrooklynGirlCode™ will be celebrating privately like we do every year for The Notorious B.I.G’s birthday by turning up the volume on our speakers as high as it can go and blasting Biggie’s timeless hits all weekend long. That’s how we show our love for Biggie because it’s the Brooklyn way! -xoxo #BrooklynGirlCode™ <3