1995 was such an interesting year in the life of The Notorious B.I.G. In the year following Ready To Die, Biggie Smalls transitioned from the Bed-Stuy rapper on the stoop kickin’ it with DJ Premier, R.A. The Rugged Man, and Organized Konfusion to a mafiaso-dressing MC who wore shades, carried a cane, and celebrated his sales. The skills remained in tact, but you can see (and hear) the transformation around Junior M.A.F.I.A.’s debut.

egotrip put us onto this unearthed 1995 video by Passengers. They traveled just near Fulton Street to meet Biggie, and understand what propelled him to rap with such an intensity and soul that so many related, and later crowned him. Like 2Pac, so much Biggie footage has been seen and re-purposed in the stream of documentaries and posthumous features on the icon… so this is a welcomed treat, especially given when it was filmed.

Related: DJ Finesse – B.I.G. over Premier (Biggie Tribute Blend Mix)