In the last few decades, the New York borough of Brooklyn has undergone a complete transformation, becoming almost unrecognisable to those who grew up there. One person who would likely turn in his grave at the gentrification is Biggie Smalls, whose ‘one-room shack’ is now up for rent... for a cool $4,000 a month.
As reported by the New York Post, the rapper’s old residence is listed as an “amazing furnished three-bedroom home” in the “desired neighborhood of Clinton Hill historic district”. The listing is in stark contrast to Notorious B.I.G.’s description of his childhood home in “Juicy”, with the property boasting high ceilings, a dining room, living room, and office space.
“It’s so calm and residential now,” estate agent Kathleen Perkins told the New York Post, “it’s hard to imagine it’s the same street that he sang about with all the drugs and gunfire. It couldn’t be more different.”
Despite its overhaul, the area still holds an affinity for Biggie, with the block the late rapper grew up on renamed ‘Christopher “Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace Way’ earlier this month. “They (gentrifiers) want to erase the history”, New York City councilwoman Laurie Cumbo said at a ceremony at the time. “They want to put up new cafes and boutiques and to push us out of our history. That’s why the sign is important today… so that the struggle of Brooklyn continues to be told again and again.”
Biggie’s house was initially sold in 2013 – for $825,000 – to the person who’s now put it up for rent. For hip hop fans with cash to splash, it is all a dream (sorry).
View the full property listing here.