Diddy paid tribute to his late friend The Notorious B.I.G. at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas on Sunday (21.05.17).
The music mogul made a surprise appearance at the annual awards show alongside the rapper's son, CJ Wallace, and during an on-stage appearance, Diddy credited Biggie's influence for helping to jump-start the success of his Bad Boy label over the last 20 years.
Reflecting on the success of his brand, Diddy told the crowd at the T-Mobile Arena: "It all started with the Notorious B.I.G. B.I.G. sold over 25 million records worldwide; his 'Ready to Die' album, his 'Life After Death' album, classics...
"Biggie was the best rapper I ever had the chance to work with. Watching him and seeing him work is something that words can't explain."
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Diddy then led the audience into a standing ovation for the rapper and a video clip of him presenting a special award to Voletta Wallace, Biggie's mother, shortly after the rap star died in March 1997.
Then, CJ – who is an aspiring actor and artist – delivered a tribute to his dad. He said: "I know my father is looking down on all of us tonight."
undefinedDiddy – whose real name is Sean Combs – also used the opportunity to debut the trailer for 'Can't Stop Won't Stop', a documentary that charts his record label's rise to the top of the music industry.
He shared: "In 1993, it was all a dream. That's when God blessed me with the opportunity and the vision to start Bad Boy Records."
THE GREATEST!!! #HappyBirthdayBIG #ItWasAllADream pic.twitter.com/2Qh65aIQjJ
— Sean Diddy Combs (@diddy) May 22, 2017
Diddy added that because of the talent of Biggie, "it became one of the most successful hip-hop and R&B labels in history".
Biggie, whose real name was Christopher Wallace, would have celebrated his 45th birthday on the day of the awards in Las Vegas.