Biggie Smalls (Notorious B.I.G.) by Chi Modu

Photographer Chi Modu wanted to get a photograph of Biggie that “could show how, in the rap world at the time, he was the king of New York.”

The shoot was postponed several times because Biggie was on the road touring and it was difficult to coordinate schedules. “I even went by his apartment in Bed Stuy Brooklyn to try to get him motivated,” Chi recounts. “I tried to wake Biggie up but he asked me if I could come back another day.

“I had a lot of respect for him and although I really needed to get the shot done, I knew it would be best if I could postpone it one more time. Biggie was grateful to me for recognizing that he needed a break that day.

“When we finally did get the photo shoot done, little did I know that within a period of five years, both Biggie and the World Trade Center Towers would be gone.”