It’s been close to two decades since Biggie Smalls was gunned down in a murder that still remains unsolved to this day – but we have now received confirmation of long-standing rumours that the Brooklyn G.O.A.T will be brought back in hologram form.
According to Billboard, ARHT Media – which stands for ‘Augmented Reality Holographic Technology’ – have secured the digital rights needed to produce a hologram of Biggie. The late rapper’s estate is handled by ByStorm Entertainment in conjunction with Faith Evans and his mother Voletta Wallace, who have all given the project the green light.
The hologram is set to make an appearance in an upcoming Faith Evans music video. According to ARHT founder Rene Bharti, there are subsequent plans for the hologram to hit the road, although it’s still unclear in what capacity this would take place. “What we’re gonna start with is a video with the first single from The King & I then I think Faith wants to do a little tour,” Bharti said.
As highlighted by Billboard, Puff Daddy and Bad Boy are reuniting for a colossal reunion show at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn come May 20 – which happens to stand on Biggie’s birthday. With these new revelations from ARHT, it’s easy to see how Biggie’s hologram would partake in such a monumental celebration of his life and talents.
As for the hologram itself, ARHT CEO Paul Duffy has also outlined the “very sophisticated transmission technology” used to make their holograms. “We’ll use input from virtually anywhere so we’ll talk to people, we’ll obviously look through existing footage… We’ll meet with family members and just look to alternately capture the essence of Biggie. Then we’ll have their eyes on all the content and material that’s being built. Of course, nothing would be released until they felt comfortable and signed off on it,” he said.
Meanwhile, Biggie’s mother said that “this project has been a long-time coming, and it is very special to me. Words can’t even capture how elated I am for the world to finally see my son again on stage and beyond. Christopher’s impact and legacy will not only live through his past work, but also the new experiences which have been made possible through ARHT Media.”
While holograms remain an ever-controversial project when dealing with the deceased, it doesn’t look like they’ll be slowing down anytime soon. Now, excuse us while we listen to ‘Gimme The Loot’ on repeat:
