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The Notorious B.I.G. Lives on Through Groundbreaking Ringtone Venture: Entire Mobile Community Joins Forces to Launch Unprecedented Campaign Featuring Array of Exclusive, Made-For-Mobile Content, Including New "Duets" Tracks and Catalog Hits; "Notorious B.I.G. Duets: The Final Chapter" Out Dec. 20th

The late Notorious B.I.G. is about to become a massive presence in the ringtone world, as the entire mobile community has joined forces for an unprecedented campaign starring the legendary rapper. In anticipation of the eagerly awaited December 20th Bad Boy Records release of "NOTORIOUS B.I.G. DUETS: THE FINAL CHAPTER," today, December 1st, marks the launch of "B.I.G. Mobile Month" -- as both the new album and B.I.G.'s biggest catalog hits have been transformed into a remarkable array of over 60 ringtones custom-tailored for the wireless world.

Highlighting this groundbreaking event is a huge selection of exclusive made-for-mobile content. Contrary to the vast majority of ringtones, which are often simply excerpts of the original track, the B.I.G. ringtones have been constructed through hours and hours of meticulous selection and editing. The result is a menu rich with the Notorious B.I.G.'s most compelling rhymes, classic verses, and instrumental hooks, all picked and designed specifically with the mobile user in mind.

In addition to ringtones from the new "DUETS" album, there is a vast selection of ringtones culled from his previous albums -- "READY TO DIE," "LIFE AFTER DEATH," and "BORN AGAIN." Custom ringtones have been created from 26 different Notorious B.I.G. songs.

The Notorious B.I.G. ringtones, including ringback tones and video ringers, will be available across multiple carriers -- including all wireless partners, ringtone portals, and Premium SMS services. Each carrier has developed its own unique marketing roll-out in support of "B.I.G. Mobile Month" -- including multiple contests; online and email campaigns; print, radio, television advertising; street marketing; and numerous special promotions. The result is a groundbreaking, industry-wide campaign of unprecedented scope and consumer exposure.

"Big was and still is a huge presence who has had a major influence on modern music and culture," said Bad Boy Entertainment founder and CEO Sean "Diddy" Combs. "It is only fitting that his music now takes on a new life with ringtones, the newest use of music made popular by our kids. Ringtones are all about making personal statements and personal connections, and with this new ringtone catalog, Big's millions of fans will be able to select the moments that have meant the most to them. Big came up from the streets, and his presence will now be felt on the streets more than ever, as he becomes part of the fabric of people's daily lives. The fact that competing mobile companies have come together as never before to be part of the Notorious B.I.G. ringtone campaign just proves how powerful and charismatic he and his music remain. Once again, Big has become bigger than life."

"Big gave so much of himself to hip-hop that it changed the way we walked, talked, and stereotyped the typical rap artist. Everything he did was B.I.G., and now his music is transforming the way the mobile platform can be used to reach fans and herald the release of a new album," said Kevin Liles, Executive Vice President, WMG. "This unique musical offering is another milestone in WMG's efforts to provide consumers with the widest array of music products in the mobile space. It's a fitting tribute to the stature of Big's legacy that the wireless world is providing a launch of such magnitude."

"THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G. DUETS: THE FINAL CHAPTER" is the most eagerly anticipated album in hip-hop history. Over two years in the making, the 22-track collection features rhymes recorded by B.I.G. throughout his career, melded with newly recorded performances by some of contemporary music's greatest vocalists and MCs. Dozens of superstars have come together to perform with and pay homage to the legendary rapper on this unprecedented, history-making release. In addition, "THE FINAL CHAPTER" incorporates posthumous appearances by 2Pac, Bob Marley, and Big Pun.

Featured with the Notorious B.I.G. on "THE FINAL CHAPTER" are, in order of appearance: Diddy, Eminem, Obie Trice, Twista, Bone Thugs N Harmony, Jay-Z, Nate Dogg, Redman, Big Pun, Fat Joe, Freeway, Snoop Dogg, Ludacris, Faith Evans, Cheri Dennis, Bobby Valentino, The Game, Nelly, Jagged Edge, Avery Storm, 2Pac, Mary J. Blige, Nas, Mobb Deep, Lil Wayne, Juelz Santana, Jim Jones, Scarface, Akon, Big Gee, T.I., Slim Thug, Missy Elliott, R. Kelly, Charlie Wilson, Bob Marley, and KoRn.

The music tracks are all brand-new, created by many of the industry's top producers, including: Eminem, Swizz Beatz, Danja, Timbaland, Jazze Pha, Sean C "Sean Cane," Sean "Diddy" Combs, LV, Coptic, Lesette Wilson, Andre Harris, Vidal Davis, Just Blaze, Havoc, Stevie J, D. Dot, Reefa, Mike "Suga Mike" Allen, Mario Winans, J-Dub, Scott Storch, DJ Green Lantern, Clinton Sparks, Jonathan Davis, and Atticus Roff.

"Nasty Girl," the first single from the album, was the #1 most-added track at Urban and CHR/Rhythmic radio nationwide last week. Produced by Jazze Pha, it features The Notorious B.I.G. with Diddy, Nelly, Jagged Edge, and Avery Storm. Another song from the album, "Hold Ya Head," was the first music to be released from "THE FINAL CHAPTER." The dramatic and poignant track pairs B.I.G. with a moving sample from "Johnny Was" by Bob Marley, another legendary artist who died before his time.

Other highlights of the project include "Get Your Grind On," which brings together for the first time B.I.G., Big Pun, Fat Joe, and Freeway; and "Spit Your Game," which pairs Twista with Bone Thugs N Harmony's Krazie Bone, a long-awaited collaboration that hip-hop fans will go wild for. R. Kelly and Charlie Wilson join B.I.G. on the soulful groove "Mi Casa," and the group KoRn rocks with B.I.G. on "Wake Up Now." B.I.G.'s mom, Voletta Wallace, makes an appearance on the album's closing track, "Love Is Everlasting," with the recital of an original poem about her son Christopher Wallace. Diddy and Notorious B.I.G. are the album's Executive Producers, while Voletta Wallace is Co-Executive Producer along with Faith Evans, Harve Pierre, and B.I.G.'s managers Wayne Barrow and Mark Pitts.

Born in Brooklyn, the Notorious B.I.G. was Bad Boy Records' flagship artist. From his earliest verses on tracks like Craig Mack's "Flava In Your Ear Remix" and Mary J. Blige's "Real Love," it was clear to the hip- hop world that a new king had been crowned. B.I.G. solidified his position with his now classic 1994 debut, "READY TO DIE." Through the combination of Sean Combs's powerful production and B.I.G.'s vivid rhymes, the disc brought Bad Boy to the forefront of East Coast hip-hop, and went on to be certified 4x platinum by the RIAA.

Tragically, the superstar's life was cut short in March 1997, when he fell victim to a shooting. His already completed second set, a double album entitled "LIFE AFTER DEATH," was released soon after his death, and featured the smash hits "Hypnotize" and "Mo' Money Mo' Problems." A true masterpiece, it is considered by many to be the greatest hip-hop album of all time, with an unforgettable track list crafted by Notorious B.I.G. It entered the charts at #1 and went on to be certified 10x platinum, earning a rare Diamond Award from the RIAA.

1999 saw the release of "BORN AGAIN," an album of previously unreleased B.I.G. material. It also entered the charts at #1 and was certified RIAA double platinum. "THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G. DUETS: THE FINAL CHAPTER" marks the first release of new B.I.G. material in six years.

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