The Notorious B.I.G., born Christopher Wallace in Brooklyn on May 21, 1972, remains one of hip-hop’s most enduring figures. Often hailed as “The King of New York,” his catalog produced 16 entries on the Billboard Hot 100, including two No. 1s and five top 10 hits, and sold more than 28 million albums in the U.S. alone. Beyond his own success, Biggie helped shape the careers of artists like Lil’ Kim and Junior M.A.F.I.A., extending his influence far beyond his own recordings.
His landmark albums Ready to Die, Life After Death and the posthumous Born Again collectively spent over three years on Billboard’s top album sales chart, with the latter two both reaching No. 1. Even decades after his death in 1997, Biggie’s cultural impact continues to grow, cemented by his 2020 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
That lasting influence — in music, fashion, and Brooklyn’s cultural identity — is exactly why the Nets are turning to Biggie as a central figure this season. For the Brooklyn Nets, the 2025–26 season will be about more than basketball. It will be about identity, culture, style and legacy. Specifically, the legacy of one of Brooklyn’s greatest icons: The Notorious B.I.G.
As part of the NBA’s City Edition Remix program, the Nets are bringing back the fan-favorite Brooklyn Camo uniform, first unveiled in 2018 as a celebration of Biggie’s indelible mark on music, fashion, and the borough itself. But this season, the homage goes deeper. The partnership with the Estate of The Notorious B.I.G. has expanded into an entire season of “Biggie Nights,” curated halftime experiences, a custom Biggie-inspired court, and collaborations that extend far beyond the hardwood.
At its core, this campaign is rooted in what Elliott Osagie of The Biggie Estate calls being “Fly.” For him, that phrase captures Biggie’s style, spirit, and influence. “Biggie was unapologetically fly,” Osagie said. “And his impact on the people that followed him was: whoever you are, wherever you come from, whatever you look like — just be unapologetically fly.”
Brooklyn has always been synonymous with style. From streetwear to high fashion, the borough has a reputation for individuality and creativity. So did Biggie. Whether rocking Coogi sweaters, Timberlands, Kangol hats, or tailored suits, Biggie curated a style all his own — one that influenced generations.
That sentiment is part of why this uniform, with its multi-color Brooklyn Camo pattern and BED-STUY jock tag designed by renowned local artist Eric Haze carries such weight. It’s not just apparel; it’s a cultural statement.
“Biggie started a clothing line called Brooklyn Mint,” said Osagie. “He was really a pioneer in fashion. Biggie, even in his early twenties, had a fashion repertoire as someone in their late fifties. He really was a fashion forward individual. A Brooklyn Nets jersey with Biggie? If he was here, he would’ve taken it even further on the creativity.”
For Andrew Karson, Head of Nets Marketing, that connection between fashion and culture is central to the jersey’s story. “There’s so much connection between basketball, art, and fashion,” Karson said. “NBA players have become iconic for the fits that they wear to games, and out of games and generally at cultural events. So, we see this as a moment to bring the best of Brooklyn culture to the world.”
The 2025–26 rollout builds on a history of collaboration between the Nets and the Biggie Estate that began in 2017. But this season’s tribute will be the most immersive yet. It launches with “Practice in the Park” on Sept. 27 at Potomac Playground in Bed-Stuy, the heart of Biggie’s Brooklyn, and continues with 11 games featuring the Brooklyn Camo uniforms, including the first official “Biggie Night” on Nov. 11.
Karson emphasized the depth of planning behind the tribute: “We’ve had many rounds of meetings and conversations for over a year… to understand what’s authentic to them, what they’ve built, how Biggie positioned himself, and how they continue to bring his legacy to the world.”
The Brooklyn Camo design is intentional. It nods to Biggie’s fashion sensibility, from his love of bold patterns to his influence on streetwear. “The jersey represents the subtle integrations of Biggie within culture,” Osagie explained. “The whole jersey doesn’t have all the references or the style of Biggie, but it has the hints.”
Karson reinforced the idea that style can tell a story. “Biggie’s story and legacy go way beyond the Brooklyn Nets and have already resonated globally for over 30+ years,” he said. “For us, we’re looking to tell the story of Brooklyn’s unique place in the world and in music culture.”
For both the Nets and the Biggie Estate, the collaboration is more than a campaign. It’s a statement about Brooklyn’s identity, basketball’s culture, and the enduring influence of Biggie’s style.
“It’s part of our DNA,” Karson said. “We talk about programming around the brand, around basketball, community, and culture. What is so unique is how much of a global presence our community has in world culture.”
Osagie put it plainly: “Talk your talk, walk your walk, recognize yourself as who you are, and just be unapologetic and fly. I think when people look at The Notorious B.I.G. as a brand, it makes them feel more comfortable. When you’re walking around rapping Biggie, you’re like the most unapologetically fly version of yourself.”
As Brooklyn’s basketball team steps into another season, they’ll do so wearing more than a uniform. They’ll wear a statement — stitched with the rhythm of Brooklyn, the beats of hip-hop, and the enduring legacy of Christopher Wallace, The Notorious B.I.G.
