The late Christopher “Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace was honored with the ASCAP Founders Award at performance rights organization’s Rhythm & Soul Music Awards in Los Angeles on Thursday (June 22). The year marks the 30th anniversary of the annual ceremony and the 20th anniversary of Notorious B.I.G.’s March 9, 1997 murder. Faith Evans, the rapper’s widow, accepted the award from Puff Daddy’s sons, Justin and Christian Combs, on Wallace’s behalf along with his children, and former managers and estate consultant, Wayne Barrow and Mark Pitts.

Songwriting and production duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis also received the ASCAPVoice of Music Award, presented by industry icon Clarence Avant and Jon Platt, Chairman and CEO of Warner/Chappell Music. They join previous recipients Mary J. Blige, Diane Warren, Jimmy Webb, and Garth Brooks, among others.

 

Notorious B.I.G. Honored by ASCAP on 20th Anniversary Year of His Death