As part of a collection of NFTs, a well-known photograph featuring the iconic late rapper The Notorious B.I.G. is currently up for auction, presenting a unique opportunity where the physical photo is linked to an Ethereum NFT.
Photographer Barron Claiborne took the picture of the rapper known as The Notorious B.I.G, born as Christopher Wallace, in 1997 and named it “The King of New York,” with the image being captured only days before the artist was tragically killed by a drive-by shooting.
According to culture journalist and author Vikki Tobak, the photograph titled “The King of New York” featuring the rapper wearing a tilted crown on his head is regarded as one of the most iconic and easily recognizable images in the history of hip-hop, symbolizing greatness.
An auction will feature a 6 x 7-centimeter cut out of the original contact sheet containing the photograph as well as a one-of-a-kind Ethereum NFT or “digital twin” that provides proof of ownership and provenance on the blockchain.
The auction for the photograph commenced today on the Kairos platform and will continue for a duration of 30 days. Bidding starts at 50 ETH ($93,500), and the fortunate bidder will not only acquire the prized artwork but also have the opportunity to engage in a phone conversation with Claiborne, the photographer, to delve into the details surrounding this iconic image.
In addition to the original contact cutout, the King of New York (KONY) series will offer a limited edition collection of NFTs that showcase an animated digital rendition of the Biggie portrait. There are a total of nine editions of this artwork available for purchase, with each edition priced at 1 ETH ($1,865).
Additionally, an open edition drop for a digital collectible based on the crown that is worn in the photo is available for purchase at 0.03 ETH (approximately $55) per NFT. Since it is an open edition drop, there is no limit to the number of NFTs that can be bought. Furthermore, in a separate auction, fans can also place bids on a digital bust of Notorious B.I.G.
Beginning on July 26, Claiborne will put up for sale a hundred editions of a digital version of the initial photograph in conjunction with a physical print. Each edition of the set can be obtained at 1 ETH. Furthermore, in the succeeding month of August, he will also hold an auction for one of the scarce limited edition Notorious B.I.G. New York City MetroCards that were distributed to select subway stations last year. The card will be autographed and matched with an NFT.
At a Sotheby’s auction in 2020, the initial physical crown adorned by the rapper and autographed by him fetched a staggering price of almost $595,000.
Claiborne expressed his gratitude for having the opportunity to capture the image of the Notorious B.I.G. as The King Of New York, shortly before his untimely demise in 1997. Reflecting on the immense significance of the portrait, Claiborne mentioned that he never could have imagined its iconic status. He made this statement in relation to the timing coinciding with the 50th anniversary of hip-hop.
The Keiyo Art Association, an organization committed to making art more accessible to the general public, will receive 35% of the profits earned from the KONY collection. Meanwhile, 5% of the earnings generated from the collection will go to Charity: Water, an organization that provides access to clean water for people in need.
