Biggie Smalls‘ estate is partnering with Budweiser to honor the hip-hop legend … and to bring back Word Up! magazine for a short run.
Both parties are releasing a limited-edition revival of the popular magazine, which ran from 1987 to 2012, highlighting hip-hop’s biggest stars.
According to HipHopDX, the relaunch will include an excerpt from Biggie’s mother, Voletta Wallace. The magazine will also feature words from Gerrie Summers, Word Up!’s founding editor-in-chief. Additionally, the publication will include handwritten lyrics, rare photos and untold stories.
Smalls’ estate and Budweiser said in a statement that the publication will “share innumerable stories of grit and resilience exemplified by Biggie himself, as well as his lasting legacy that continues to inspire hip-hop artists to this day.”
The special issue is scheduled to be released on Sept. 13, coinciding with the 29th anniversary of Biggie’s debut studio album, Ready to Die. About 5,000 copies will be available at select locations across New York City, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Detroit and Chicago. A digital copy will also be available on Budweiser’s website.
As fans know, Biggie gave a shoutout to Word Up! in his 1994 hit “Juicy.”
“It was all a dream; I used to read Word Up! magazine,” he rapped.
The late MC was also honored in July when his loved ones partnered with Pepsi to celebrate hip-hop’s 50th anniversary.
“As we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of hip-hop and its cultural impact on our world, we’re excited to honor Christopher’s legacy and continue bringing his music to a new generation of fans,” Voletta Wallace said in a press release as she reflected on the legacy of her late son, according to HipHopDX. “While his art is timeless, we’ve been working with Pepsi to commemorate my son’s artistry and connect his music with the sounds and artists of today. We hope fans will enjoy it as much as we do.”
Biggie’s son, C.J. Wallace, also issued heartwarming words about his father, Vibe reported.
“In this pivotal year of music, hip-hop cannot be discussed without my dad,” he said. “My dad is synonymous with rap, and his influence is unmatched. Taking one of his most well-kept secret flows out of the vault and working directly with Pepsi, the brand he cites, is pretty dope.”
