This then-and-now photo comparison of The Notorious B.I.G. is one of several of him that I took while in Brooklyn in the summer of 2024.

This specific photo was taken on January 24th, 1997 by photographer Michael Lavine at the Cypress Hills Cemetery in Brooklyn for the Life After Death cover art photo shoot.

Michael has stated that Christopher Wallace “was the nicest guy you would ever want to meet. So friendly, with the softest handshake”

Life After Death was Big’s second album and this photo shoot took place in the heat of the East-Coast-West Coast feud. Tupac had been killed less than 4 months earlier and Bad Boy Records wanted to turn up the drama.

Biggie wore a suit that was made to look like an undertaker, they drove through the cemetery looking for locations that would suit the vibe that Puffy was looking for.

Just 6 weeks after this photo was taken, on March 9th, 1997 – Christopher Wallace was shot dead after leaving a party in L.A.

The album, Life After Death came out 2 weeks later on March 25th, 1997.

This photo was used as the cover for the 25th anniversary of Life After Death.