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New York Congressman Hakeem Jeffries Paid Tribute to Biggie Smalls on the House Floor

"His rags to riches life story is the classic embodiment of the American dream."

The outpouring of tributes to the late legendary Notorious B.I.G. was to be expected, as it was the 20th anniversary of the legendary rapper's death. What was more unexpected was that Biggie entered the political arena yesterday as well, when New York congressman Hakeem Jeffries honored him on the House floor by reciting the opening lines of "Juicy": "It was all a dream, I used to read Word Up! magazine/Salt-n-Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine/Hangin' pictures on my wall/Every Saturday Rap Attack, Mr. Magic, Marley Marl."

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Congressman Jeffries, who is also a Brooklyn native, went on to eulogize B.I.G. afterwards: "Those were the words of the late great Notorious B.I.G., Biggie Smalls, Frank White, the King of New York. He died 20 years ago today in a tragedy that occurred in Los Angeles. But his words live on forever. I've got the privilege of representing the district where Biggie Smalls was raised. We know he went from negative to positive and emerged as one of the world's most important hip hop stars. His rags-to-riches life story is the classic embodiment of the American dream. Biggie Smalls is gone but he will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, Notorious B.I.G. Where Brooklyn at?"

Though Biggie is no longer here to witness his work reaching Congress, it's amazing to see his legacy live on and reach new heights. It isn't common for an artist whose work spent so much time covering the anxiety, brutality, and desperation caused, in-part, by political decision makers to be honored by them. Watch the video below, which was posted to Hakeem Jeffries' Twitter account.

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