Sean Combs Shifts the Cost of Notorious B.I.G.'s Funeral to Rapper's Estate, Reveals Bad Boy Co-Founder

Following the tragic murder of the Notorious B.I.G. in March 1997, Sean Combs organized an extravagant funeral for the Brooklyn rapper. However, according to a new Netflix documentary, Combs later decided to charge the entire expense to Biggies estate. The documentary, Sean Combs: The Reckoning, features co-founder Kirk Burrowes revealing that Combs initially gave the impression he was personally covering the funeral costs.

He intended for the funeral expenses to be recoverable from Biggies estate, Burrowes explained. While a lavish funeral reflected well on Sean, he didnt want anyone to know Biggie was technically footing the bill.

Christopher Wallace, known professionally as the Notorious B.I.G., was fatally shot in Los Angeles on March 9, 1997, just six months after Tupac Shakur was killed in Las Vegas. Wallaces murder remains unsolved, though Duane Keefe D Davis faces trial next year for his alleged involvement in Shakurs death.

On March 18, 1997, thousands of fans gathered in Brooklyn to honor Wallace. The funeral, held at the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel on the Upper East Side, included his wife Faith Evans, members of Junior M.A.F.I.A., and numerous figures from the Bad Boy label.

Burrowes also claimed that Combs attempted to modify some terms of Wallaces recording contract after his death without informing his family. Sean wanted the contract revised to benefit Bad Boy, keeping Wallaces family unaware, Burrowes said. I refused to make the changes. A few months later, I was let go.

Additionally, Burrowes recounted a 1997 Rolling Stone cover decision where Combs prioritized himself over Wallace. I suggested featuring Biggie, but Sean insisted on promoting his debut album, No Way Out, instead, Burrowes stated.

Author: Connor Blake