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In his multi-platinum hit “Juicy,” The Notorious B.I.G. was kind enough to describe his mid-’90s man cave. “Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis/When I was dead broke, man, I couldn’t picture this/50-inch screen, money-green leather sofa…”
Now, if Biggie had gone ten bars deep into his luxurious abode, I’m willing to bet that he’d flaunt another creature comfort: toys.
After all, he was 22 years young when “Juicy” took the world by storm. How many adults in their 30s adorn their rooms with beautifully crafted figures to commemorate their favorite characters, living or otherwise?
I certainly wish that Biggie had been around longer to see all these cute little Funko Pops that bear his likeness. Though Brooklyn’s finest no longer walks and talks among us, his legacy lives on in tributes big or small. If you’re a Biggie fan, you can redefine the phrase “Life After Death” by filling your top shelf with Funko figures.
Collecting two or three Funko Pops is cool, but amassing a huge set? Now that prospect is juicy.
Bottom Line Up Front
The Notorious B.I.G. Funko figures illustrate the kingly stature of Biggie in the hip hop world. Whether the Funko figures show him chilling with a glass of champagne in his hand or flaunting a shiny crown and scepter, Biggie looks more royal than just about any other rapper, dead or alive. Currently, there are four official Biggie figures distributed by Funko, though more options can be found on Amazon and ebay.
Official Funko Pop Figures
The Funko Pop! that Screams “King of Hip Hop”
Funky Features
Ever heard of the Shakespearean line “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown”? Great quote, but it doesn’t apply to this particular Funko product. From what we can tell, Biggie is perfectly comfortable with that resplendent thing on his head. To complement the crown, there’s a huge gold chain on his neck and a, well, scepter in the firm grip of his right hand.
The title of Hip Hop King is a hotly contested topic in barbershops and recording studios all across the world, but one look at this regal Funko Pop! should be enough to silence all dissenters.
A Story to Tell
So why exactly does Biggie get to claim the throne? Simple: because he can claim to be better than anyone else who’s done it. The Notorious B.I.G. represents the apex of the hip hop craft—the most sublime poet to ever bless the mic with breathtaking flow, impeccable rhymes, and unparalleled wit.
I understand that there’s a handful of emcees who also have a strong case (Tupac Shakur and Biggie’s good friend Jay-Z come to mind). But if we’re going strictly by skill—rather than, say, length of discography or track record at the Grammys—I would gladly bend the knee to B.I.G.
Where Do I Purchase This?
- To order the official Funko figure, click here.
- If you want to explore the other options, check out the variations at Amazon and ebay.
When This Toy Arrives, Play This Song
Now that I look back at “Juicy,” I realize that Biggie was already taking a victory lap even before he finished the race. This track was the very first single off his debut album, and as it turned out, Biggie was right to be extremely confident about his future. “Damn right I like the life I live,” he gloated. “Cause I went from negative to positive…and if you don’t know, now you know.”
The Life after Death Funko Pop!
Funky Features
Two of the Biggie figures available on Funko bear a strong resemblance to each other. In both of these Funko Pops, Biggie is wearing a large black jacket and a dark fedora. Clearly, his attire is meant to evoke an ominous aura—one that is hardly mitigated by the differences that can be seen in the figures’ hands and feet.
In one version, Biggie is flaunting gold rings and cream-colored shoes; a gold crucifix can also be seen on his chest, since his jacket is unbuttoned. In the other version, Biggie’s jacket is closed up, his shoes are jet-black, and the possession in his hands is a cane. (I’m not going to lie—this second one is much more menacing.)
A Story to Tell
If the picture that was formed in your head is akin to an undertaker’s appearance, you’re on the right track. These two Funko figures are a callback to Biggie’s get-up on the cover of his second album Life After Death. Sadly, this title became somewhat of a self-fulfilling prophecy, as Biggie would tragically meet his demise before this album came out in 1997.
Be that as it may, I can find a somewhat more optimistic perspective for this funeral-themed cover. The reason why Biggie’s dressed like this? He just buried another hapless emcee who couldn’t hang with him.
Where Do I Purchase This?
- In terms of official Funko releases, there are two options. This one comes with an album frame, while this one is the stand-alone figure with the open jacket.
- If you want to explore your options, head over to Amazon and ebay.
When This Toy Arrives, Play This Song
Just like its predecessor, Life After Death is filled with several gems. “Hypnotize,” though, is on a different layer of the atmosphere. Anyone who listens to this track for the first time will definitely fall under the spell of its internal and multisyllabic rhymes. Before you know it, Biggie’s taking over your sanity and you can’t get enough of him.
The Vinyl Gold Funko Pop
Funky Features
From a dark motif to an all-white ensemble! Seriously, how does Biggie make everything look so fly? In this 5-inch Funko, he’s wearing a white three-piece suit, with white kicks and a white hat to match. I know that all toys tend to have the same generic expression, but the sullen look on Biggie’s face is a perfect match for what he’s wearing. Translation: do not mess with white-suit Biggie. Ever.
A Story to Tell
Biggie sounded the part and dressed the part. If you took into account the scope of his ambition, you’d understand why. In a 2019 episode of the HBO Canada series Hip-Hop Evolution, his partner-in-crime Puffy described how Biggie had big plans to become a mogul. Biggie didn’t intend to be some executive vice president for Bad Boy Records; he wanted to run his own thing!
With the assistance of Lance “Un” Rivera, Biggie went on to launch the record label Undeas, where he signed his Junior M.A.F.I.A. associates as his first wave of talent. How far could Biggie have gone with his lofty plans? Sadly, we’ll never know.
Where Do I Purchase This?
When This Toy Arrives, Play This Song
Biggie’s also rocking white gear in the music video for his 1994 track “One More Chance,” which features vocals from his wife Faith Evans. If you need an example of how Biggie seamlessly merged his outstanding rap skills with Puffy’s signature R&B sound, look no further than this song.
Other Funko Pop Options
The Ready to Die Funko Pop
Funky Features
This is the Biggie Funko Pop! that will make you go “Awwww”. Your Notorious B.I.G. collection won’t be complete without Baby Biggie! This figure proves that even the king of hip hop had to start in nappies. One key detail: Baby Biggie’s eyes are filled with innocence and curiosity. Clearly, this youngling is years away from the indelible impact of the streets and the rap game. For now, let young Biggie coo and burp the day away.
A Story to Tell
Baby Biggie, of course, graced the cover of the rapper’s debut album Ready to Die, which came out in 1994. This album made the entire hip hop community go gaga as Biggie immediately staked his claim as one of the most talented rappers in existence.
Though the baby on the album cover is undeniably adorable, the narrative of Ready to Die provides a rather dire backdrop for this image. The album follows key points in the personal and professional life of Biggie—from a child of the streets to hip hop megastar. However, in the final song of the album, Biggie meets a tragic end after a long bout of loneliness and guilt.
Where Do I Purchase This?
When This Toy Arrives, Play This Song
The second track of the Ready to Die playlist sees Biggie reflecting on how the streets have grown more dangerous than ever. This introspection is fueled by his own memories as a teenager dealing drugs in the late ’80s and mid-’90s—an endeavor that actually landed him in jail. “Things Done Changed” illustrates how the baby on the album cover was molded into the hustler that would eventually make it out of the streets and into stardom.
The Big Poppa Funko Pop
Funky Features
Biggie sure knows how to have a great time, huh? This Funko Pop! is a snapshot of the man right in the middle of his blissful partying. Here, Biggie’s wearing a red jacket, dark pants, and some sweet yellow shoes. That brown beret is as chill as you can get, the gold ring rests comfortably on his right hand, and the pink champagne in that glass looks rather tempting.
A Story to Tell
This party ensemble showed up in the music video for “Big Poppa,” one of the monster hits spawned by Ready to Die. Just like “Juicy,” this party banger went 6x platinum, giving Biggie and Puffy plenty of reason to open champagne bottles. On a personal note, “Big Poppa” is the song that made me a fan of Biggie.
How could I not fall madly in love with the man’s work after getting wowed by his masterful flow and rhymes on this track? “Big Poppa” proved Biggie could harness these poetic elements for any purpose that he so desired—whether it’s endearing himself to the ladies or slaughtering every last member of the opposition.
Where Do I Purchase This?
When This Toy Arrives, Play This Song
The best way to enjoy this song is with your eyes closed and a cold beverage nearby. This is one of the smoothest tracks that Puffy has ever produced, and if that instrumental doesn’t loosen you up for the weekend, nothing will. Biggie’s party imagery in this track is wildly colorful, and right off the bat, he tells you how naughty he can be: “To all the ladies in the place with style and grace/Allow me to lace these lyrical douches in your bushes.”
The Tupac and Biggie Combination
Funky Features
Biggie’s got a companion here, and if we’re being honest, it’s someone that he should have spent way more time with. Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. look great together, especially as they’re both rocking the jet-black gear. Pac has the dark bandana and bulletproof vest going on, while Biggie has the fedora and slightly oversized jacket.
What else do they have in common? All the ice, of course! The gold chains, rings, and watches are shining brighter than ever, and you can’t find any duo—human or Funko—that looks as fly as these two.
A Story to Tell
Once upon a time, the only heat between Tupac and Biggie was the fire that they spit on the mic as they stood side by side on the stage. The two first met in 1993, and their friendship grew to the point where Biggie asked Tupac to manage his career. Sadly, their relationship took a huge hit after Tupac’s shooting incident in 1994.
Pac’s speculations on Biggie’s involvement or prior knowledge of the shooting—which Pac miraculously survived—ignited the fierce animosity between the former friends. Their rivalry would eventually become the core of the East Coast-West Coast hip hop feud of the ’90s.
Where Do I Purchase This?
- To order at Amazon, click here.
When This Toy Arrives, Play This Song
After Tupac’s shooting incident in late 1994, it seemed next to impossible that he and Biggie would ever perform on the same stage again. Luckily for us, there are snippets of their live performances that survive to this day. In the clip above, you can hear Biggie and Pac having a great time as they entertain the hot Brooklyn crowd with their freestyles. Though they may have never had a formal reconciliation, we can at least enjoy the memories of a time when Biggie and Pac were thick as thieves.
Double the Biggie
Funky Features
If you’re loyal to Biggie and you firmly believe that no one deserves to be in the same box set as him, have it your way. There’s another Funko Pop! pair out there that’s all Notorious, which means double the fun! One of these figures is the kingly ensemble, complete with crown, scepter, and enormous bling-bling. The other figure looks like his more laid back self as depicted in the “Juicy” video. While we definitely want a life-sized Biggie jersey, we’ll have to settle for the one worn by this sporty Funko.
A Story to Tell
As mentioned earlier, Biggie had a fascinating duality. On the one hand, he was an exuberant presence at parties, which he lit up with his scintillating stories and rhymes. On the other hand, he was an imposing figure that neither street dealers nor rival emcees could contend with. Would you rather be dancing and grooving next to Biggie, or would you rather test your luck and see if you could inflict damage on him? Probably the former.
Where Do I Purchase This?
- To order at Amazon, click here.
When This Toy Arrives, Play This Song
Think Biggie is playing games? Listen closely to “Ten Crack Commandments” and realize how well he documented (not to mention upheld) the street code that governed drug dealings. Biggie even spelled out the consequences of compliance and non-compliance with these commandments: “Follow these rules, you’ll have mad bread to break up/If not, 24 years on the wake up”
The Gold Chrome Funko Pop!
Funky Features
It’s exactly as it sounds like. Since the crown and scepter apparently weren’t enough to demonstrate Biggie’s kingship, here’s a Funko Pop! that’s fully rendered in glorious gold. This gold chrome Biggie should be a sufficient reminder to anyone who still doubts his royal standing among the upper echelons of rappers over the years.
A Story to Tell
Funnily enough, gold doesn’t quite encapsulate the commercial success that Biggie attained in his career. Ready to Die, the only album released in his lifetime, went 6x platinum; while Life After Death, which came out shortly after his untimely passing, was eventually certified diamond. Our next question, then, should be this: is there a diamond version of the Biggie Funko? Because there probably should be a diamond version of the Biggie Funko.
Where Do I Purchase This?
When This Toy Arrives, Play This Song
Here’s yet another Biggie track that brought in boatloads of moolah. The chorus of “Mo Money Mo Problems” is an unadulterated truth in this world we live in: “I don’t know what they want from me/It’s like the more money we come across/The more problems we see”. Who among us hasn’t viewed money as an all-encompassing solution to life’s issues? Biggie and his crew are serving up a cold dish of reality in this platinum-certified song.
The Born again Funko Pop!
Funky Features
This Funko makes it look like Biggie is bestowing his blessing on all those that he left behind on this earth. While his get-up here is similar to other Funko variations, it’s his outstretched right hand that makes this figure look like, well, a savior. One can’t help but think of an otherworldly Biggie who has transcended all the senseless violence of his earlier life. Now, Biggie appears to be transmitting his newly found sense of peace to all of his fans.
A Story to Tell
The material released on Ready to Die and Life After Death was by no means the full extent of Biggie’s studio recordings. It was hardly a surprise, then, that a number of posthumous Biggie albums would see the light of day. The first of these was Born Again, which came out in 1999. Don’t you just love how these album titles tie into his legacy, as well as his favorite themes of life and death? As a testament to Biggie’s indefatigable drawing power, Born Again went on to be certified double platinum.
Where Do I Purchase This?
- To order at ebay, click here.
When This Toy Arrives, Play This Song
Speaking of legacy, this particular track was enhanced by another language-bending, multisyllabic rhyme-wielding fiend that Biggie would have loved to spar with. Just ten months prior to the release of Born Again, a blue-eyed blondie from Detroit released The Slim Shady LP, which generated millions of album sales to go with an immense uproar from parents and conservatives across America.
Make no mistake about it: the lyrical prowess of Eminem would have been vastly different if he hadn’t respected the genius of Biggie Smalls. In that sense, “Dead Wrong” sounds like a mentor demonstrating his expertise and a pupil showcasing what he’d learned.
FAQs
Answer: Sure! For starters, check out this 7-inch figure available on Big Bad Toy Store, as well as this 8-inch figure that you can get on Knuckle Bonz.
Answer: On Amazon, you’ll find different types of Biggie clothing, including—you guessed it—this nice yellow jersey reminiscent of his attire in the “Juicy” video! Surprisingly, there’s a bunch of child-oriented merchandise there, including multiple sets of Biggie-themed birthday decor. (Now that is some next-level fandom.)
Answer: Head over to biggiemerch.com to get official Biggie apparel, accessories, and memorabilia!
To Wrap Up…
Is there any fan who claims to know hip hop history and doesn’t put The Notorious B.I.G. in their top 5? Biggie didn’t even need to put out more than one album during his lifetime in order to cement his legacy as one of the greatest ever. If any aspiring emcee wants to make it in the hip hop business, they better study the masterpieces known as Ready to Die and Life After Death. And if any Biggie fan wants a concrete way to pay tribute to their idol, the Biggie Funko figures are a great place to start.