Biggie Mural Will Not Be Destroyed, Artists Announce

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — The iconic Biggie mural that was slated to be removed by its building’s landlord will not be destroyed, artists announced on Monday.

Spread Art NYC — the street arts organization that represents the Biggie mural artists — announced the mural would be spared after a public outcry persuaded the landlord to preserve it.

“A very very special thanks to the landlords for recognizing the importance of Biggie in this neighborhood,” the organization wrote on its Instagram announcement Monday.

“PLEASE if you see the landlords, THANK them for this generous gift to our community!!”

Spread Art NYC first alerted their followers last week that the two-story painting of the Notorious B.I.G. at 1091 Bedford Ave. would be destroyed so that landlord Solomon Berkowitz could renovate the building and raise rents.

"Landlord always calls us and Claims that the neighbors are complaining about the mural and the crowds it attracts," the group wrote, adding that the landlord wanted a $1,250 monthly payment — which Spread Art NYC professed it could not afford — to keep the Biggie mural unchanged.

"At this point, there is nothing Spread Art NYC can do to save this mural."

The outrage that followed on social media spurred action — both Mayor Bill de Blasio and Congressman Hakeem Jeffries sent messages of support to Spread Art NYC and a Brooklyn Nets representative provided resources, the group said in its announcement.

When Spread Art NYC announced on Monday that the mural would be spared destruction, the group’s followers took to Instagram to express their relief.

“Thank you from us real #Biggie fans!!” wrote love_jones44. “Things like this besides his music is exactly why this man is one of my top 5.”

“It is the last piece of the Brooklyn that I grew up in and love,” wrote jolai. “So glad it gets to stay.”

Image via Kathleen Culliton