Biggie Smalls Total Album Sales
Sean 'Diddy' Combs led a standing ovation for his late 'friend, brother, and artist' Biggie Smalls on what would have been his 45th birthday at Sunday's Billboard Music Awards.
In 1993, the 47-year-old Bad Boy Records mogul signed the rap legend (born Christopher Wallace), who sold 25M records before being gunned down at the tender age of 24 in 1997.
'It all started with the Notorious B.I.G.,' said the three-time Grammy winner in a chic hat selected by stylist Derek S. Roche.
Scroll down for video
The rotund New York rapper, also known as Biggie Smalls, was one of the most influential hip-hop artists of the 1990s. His albums 'Ready To Die' and the posthumously released 'Life After Death' together sold nearly 8 million copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan.
'Get up out your seat!' Sean 'Diddy' Combs led a standing ovation for his late 'friend, brother, and artist' Biggie Smalls on what would have been his 45th birthday at Sunday's Billboard Music Awards
'Never seen before flick!' In 1993, the 47-year-old Bad Boy Records mogul signed the rap legend (born Christopher Wallace), who sold 25M records before being gunned down at the tender age of 24 in 1997
'His Ready to Die album, his Life After Death album - classics. He changed the game of hip-hop forever. Biggie was the best rapper I ever had a chance to work with. Watching him and seeing him work is something that words can't explain.'
The Harlem-born hip-hop star concluded: 'Happy birthday, Biggie. B.I.G. forever!'
Share this article
Diddy also gave a shout-out to Biggie's mother Voletta Wallace and then brought his son, CJ Wallace, onstage the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
'I know my father is looking down on all of us tonight and all of this love and support,' the 20-year-old actor-rapper - whose mother is R&B belter Faith Evans - said.
The three-time Grammy winner said: 'It all started with the Notorious B.I.G. His Ready to Die album, his Life After Death album - classics. He changed the game of hip-hop forever'
The Harlem-born hip-hop star added: 'Biggie was the best rapper I ever had a chance to work with. Watching him and seeing him work is something that words can't explain'
Twinning: Diddy also gave a shout-out to Biggie's mother Voletta Wallace and then brought his son, CJ Wallace (L), onstage the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
The 20-year-old actor-rapper - whose mother is R&B belter Faith Evans - said: 'I know my father is looking down on all of us tonight and all of this love and support. My sister [T'yanna] and I will continue to carry on his name with tremendous pride and live my life by his words'
'My sister [T'yanna] and I will continue to carry on his name with tremendous pride and live my life by his words.'
The 'extra emotional' Finna Get Loose rapper also flooded his 24.7M social media followers with never-before-seen posts honoring the Notorious B.I.G.
One grainy video showed a 17-year-old Biggie demonstrating his immense gift for freestyling on a street corner in his Brooklyn hometown of Bed Stuy.
Sunday marked the release of Invisible Bully's 15-style Notorious B.I.G. Birthday collection of clothing available online and at 12AM:RUN in Las Vegas.
'On the verge of crying!' The 'extra emotional' Finna Get Loose rapper also flooded his 24.7M social media followers with never-before-seen posts honoring the Notorious B.I.G.
'THE GREATEST!' One grainy video showed a 17-year-old Biggie demonstrating his immense gift for freestyling on a street corner in his Brooklyn hometown of Bed Stuy
'From the Bad Boy archives': Sunday marked the release of Invisible Bully's 15-style Notorious B.I.G. Birthday collection of clothing available online and at 12AM:RUN in Las Vegas
Diddy also unveiled the trailer for Daniel Kaufman's documentary Can't Stop, Won't Stop: The Bad Boy Story, which begins streaming June 25 on Apple Music.
The Howard University drop-out - who boasts an $820M fortune - plans on focusing on acting and retiring from music after the release and tour of his sixth studio album No Way Out 2.
However, Diddy - who has six children with three women - was without his on/off girlfriend of six years, Cassie Ventura.
Diddy also unveiled the trailer for Daniel Kaufman's documentary Can't Stop, Won't Stop: The Bad Boy Story, which begins streaming June 25 on Apple Music
Sequel to his 1997 debut: The Howard University drop-out - who boasts an $820M fortune - plans on focusing on acting and retiring from music after the release and tour of his sixth studio album No Way Out 2
MIA: However, Diddy - who has six children with three women - was without his on/off girlfriend of six years, Cassie Ventura (pictured Tuesday)
Billboard Music Awards Winners
Top Artist
Adele
Beyoncé
Justin Bieber
The Chainsmokers
Drake - WINNER
Ariana Grande
Shawn Mendes
Rihanna
Twenty One Pilots
The Weeknd
Top New Artist
Alessia Cara
Desiigner
Lil Uzi Vert
Lukas Graham
Zayn - WINNER
Billboard Chart Achievement Award
Luke Bryan
The Chainsmokers
Nicki Minaj
Twenty One Pilots - WINNER
The Weeknd
Top Male Artist
Justin Bieber
Drake - WINNER
Future
Shawn Mendes
The Weeknd
Top Female Artist
Adele
Beyoncé - WINNER
Ariana Grande
Rihanna
Sia
Top Duo/Group
The Chainsmokers
Coldplay
Florida Georgia Line
Guns N' Roses
Twenty One Pilots - WINNER
Top Billboard 200 Artist
Beyoncé
Drake - WINNER
Prince
Twenty One Pilots
The Weeknd
Top Hot 100 Artist
The Chainsmokers
Drake - WINNER
Rihanna
Twenty One Pilots
The Weeknd
Top Song Sales Artist
The Chainsmokers
Drake - WINNER
Prince
Justin Timberlake
Twenty One Pilots
Top Radio Songs Artist
Justin Bieber
The Chainsmokers
Drake
Rihanna
Twenty One Pilots - WINNER
Top Streaming Songs Artist
The Chainsmokers
Desiigner
Drake - WINNER
Rihanna
Twenty One Pilots
Top Social Artist
Justin Bieber
BTS - WINNER
Selena Gomez
Ariana Grande
Shawn Mendes
Top Touring Artist
Justin Bieber
Beyoncé - WINNER
Coldplay
Guns N' Roses
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Top R&B Artist
Beyoncé - WINNER
Bruno Mars
Frank Ocean
Rihanna
The Weeknd
Top R&B Tour
Beyoncé - WINNER
Lionel Richie
Rihanna
Top Rap Artist
J. Cole
Desiigner
Drake - WINNER
Future
Rae Sremmurd
Top Rap Tour
Drake - WINNER
Future
Kanye West
Top Country Artist
Florida Georgia Line
Blake Shelton - WINNER
Keith Urban
Chris Stapleton
Jason Aldean
Top Country Tour
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney - WINNER
Dixie Chicks
Top Rock Artist
Coldplay
The Lumineers
Metallica
Twenty One Pilots - WINNER
X Ambassadors
Top Rock Tour
Coldplay - WINNER
Guns N' Roses
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Top Latin Artist
J Balvin
Juan Gabriel - WINNER
Los Plebes Del Rancho De Ariel Camacho
Maluma
Nicky Jam
Top Dance/Electronic Artist
The Chainsmokers - WINNER
Calvin Harris
Major Lazer
DJ Snake
Lindsey Stirling
Top Christian Artist
Lauren Daigle - WINNER
Hillsong Worship
Hillary Scott & The Scott Family
Skillet
Chris Tomlin
Top Gospel Artist
Jekalyn Carr
Kirk Franklin - WINNER
Travis Greene
Tamela Mann
Hezekiah Walker
Top Billboard 200 Album
Beyoncé - Lemonade
Drake - Views - WINNER
Rihanna - Anti
Twenty One Pilots - Blurryface
The Weeknd - Starboy
Top Soundtrack/Cast Album
Hamilton: An American Musical - WINNER
Moana
Purple Rain
Suicide Squad: The Album
Trolls
Top R&B Album
Beyoncé - Lemonade - WINNER
Bruno Mars - 24K Magic
Frank Ocean - Blonde
Rihanna - Anti
The Weeknd - Starboy
Top Rap Album
J. Cole 4 Your Eyez Only
Drake Views - WINNER
Kevin Gates Islah
DJ Khaled Major Key
A Tribe Called Quest We Got It From Here…Thank You 4 Your Service
Top Country Album
Jason Aldean - They Don't Know
Florida Georgia Line - Dig Your Roots
Blake Shelton - If I'm Honest
Chris Stapleton - Traveller - WINNER
Keith Urban Ripcord
Top Rock Album
The Lumineers - Cleopatra
Metallica - Hardwired…To Self-Destruct - WINNER
Radiohead - A Moon Shaped Pool
Red Hot Chili Peppers -
The Getaway
Twenty One Pilots - Blurryface
Top Latin Album
J Balvin 'Energia'
CNCO 'Primera Cita'
Juan Gabriel 'Los Dúo 2' - WINNER
Juan Gabriel 'Vestido De Etiqueta: Por Eduardo Magallanes'
Los Plebes del Rancho de Ariel Camacho 'Recuerden Mi Estilo'
Top Dance/Electronic Album
The Chainsmokers 'Bouquet (EP)'
The Chainsmokers 'Collage (EP)'
Flume 'Skin'
Kygo 'Cloud Nine'
Lindsey Stirling 'Brave Enough' - WINNER
Top Hot 100 Song
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey 'Closer' - WINNER
The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya 'Don't Let Me Down'
Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla 'One Dance'
Justin Timberlake 'Can't Stop The Feeling!'
Twenty One Pilots 'Heathens'
Top Selling Song
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey 'Closer'
The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya 'Don't Let Me Down'
Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla 'One Dance'
Justin Timberlake 'Can't Stop The Feeling!' - WINNER
Twenty One Pilots 'Heathens'
Top Radio Song
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey 'Closer'
The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya 'Don't Let Me Down'
Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla 'One Dance'
Sia Featuring Sean Paul 'Cheap Thrills'
Justin Timberlake 'Can't Stop The Feeling!' - WINNER
Top Streaming Song (Audio)
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey 'Closer'
Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla 'One Dance' - WINNER
D.R.A.M. Featuring Lil Yachty 'Broccoli'
Rihanna 'Needed Me'
The Weeknd Featuring Daft Punk 'Starboy'
Top Streaming Song (Video)
Desiigner 'Panda' - WINNER
Zay Hilfigerrr & Zayion McCall 'JuJu On That Beat (TZ Anthem)'
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey 'Closer'
Rae Sremmurd Featuring Gucci Mane 'Black Beatles'
Twenty One Pilots 'Heathens'
Top Collaboration
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey 'Closer' - WINNER
The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya 'Don't Let Me Down'
Biggie Smalls Total Album Sales
Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla 'One Dance'
Sia Featuring Sean Paul 'Cheap Thrills'
The Weeknd Featuring Daft Punk 'Starboy'
Top R&B Song
Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla 'One Dance' - WINNER
Bruno Mars '24K Magic'
Rihanna 'Needed Me'
Rihanna Featuring Drake 'Work'
The Weeknd Featuring Daft Punk 'Starboy'
Top R&B Collaboration
Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla 'One Dance' - WINNER
PARTYNEXTDOOR Featuring Drake 'Come And See Me'
Rihanna Featuring Drake 'Work'
The Weeknd Featuring Daft Punk 'I Feel It Coming'
The Weeknd Featuring Daft Punk 'Starboy'
Top Rap Song
Desiigner 'Panda' - WINNER
Drake 'Fake Love'
D.R.A.M. Featuring Lil Yachty 'Broccoli'
Migos Featuring Lil Uzi Vert 'Bad And Boujee'
Rae Sremmurd Featuring Gucci Mane 'Black Beatles'
Top Rap Collaboration
D.R.A.M. Featuring Lil Yachty 'Broccoli'
Zay Hilfigerrr & Zayion McCall 'JuJu On That Beat (TZ Anthem)'
Machine Gun Kelly & Camila Cabello 'Bad Things'
Migos Featuring Lil Uzi Vert 'Bad and Boujee'
Rae Sremmurd Featuring Gucci Mane 'Black Beatles' - WINNER
Top Country Song
Kenny Chesney Featuring P!NK 'Setting The World On Fire'
Florida Georgia Line 'H.O.L.Y.' - WINNER
Florida Georgia Line Featuring Tim McGraw 'May We All' - WINNER
Little Big Town 'Better Man'
Keith Urban 'Blue Ain't Your Color'
Top Country Collaboration
Dierks Bentley Featuring Elle King 'Different For Girls'
Kenny Chesney Featuring P!NK 'Setting The World On Fire' - WINNER
Eric Church Featuring Rhiannon Giddens 'Kill A Word'
Florida Georgia Line Featuring Tim McGraw 'May We All'
Chris Young Featuring Vince Gill 'Sober Saturday Night'
Top Rock Song
Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa & Imagine Dragons with Logic & Ty Dolla $ign Feat. X Ambassadors 'Sucker For Pain'
Twenty One Pilots 'Heathens' - WINNER
Twenty One Pilots 'Ride'
Twenty One Pilots 'Stressed Out'
X Ambassadors 'Unsteady'
Top Latin Song
Daddy Yankee 'Shaky Shaky'
Enrique Iglesias Featuring Wisin 'Duele El Corazon'
Nicky Jam 'Hasta El Amanecer'
Shakira Featuring Maluma 'Chantaje'
Carlos Vives & Shakira 'La Bicicleta'
Top Dance/Electronic Song
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey 'Closer' - WINNER
The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya 'Don't Let Me Down'
Calvin Harris Featuring Rihanna 'This Is What You Came For'
Tupac Total Album Sales
Major Lazer Featuring Justin Bieber & MØ 'Cold Water'
DJ Snake Featuring Justin Bieber 'Let Me Love You'
Top Christian Song
Hillary Scott & The Family 'Thy Will' - WINNER
Lauren Daigle, 'Trust In You'
Skillet, 'Feel Invincible'
Ryan Stevenson Featuring GabeReal, 'Eye Of The Storm'
Zach Williams, 'Chain Breaker'
Top Gospel Song
Travis Greene, 'Made A Way' - WINNER
Jekalyn Carr, 'You’re Bigger'
Tasha Cobbs, Featuring Kierra Sheard 'Put A Praise On It'
Biggie Smalls Total Album Sales 2017
Kirk Franklin, 'Wanna Be Happy??'
Hezekiah Walker, 'Better'