David McIntyre shot Biggie Smalls.

Before the release of The Notorious One’s seminal debut, Ready To Die, Christopher Wallace was just an up-and-coming rapper, albeit one with a bit of a buzz. The hip hop heavyweight was being written up in Interview magazine, and McIntyre was the photog handling the shoot.

Interview magazine ended up using one of those images, and it would end up being the only one from the shoot ever to see the light of day.

McIntyre lost the negatives.

After a frantic search, the photographer who would go on to have his photos shown in iconic magazines such as Vogue and Elle, gave up.

Twenty-one years later, thanks to an apartment move, the negatives, once thought to be gone forever, were found in a jacket pocket.

Even Walter Mitty would be impressed.

After shopping the idea of a grand reveal to a music-friendly art gallery, McIntyre was shocked to be told there “was not a lot of interest” in Biggie Smalls. Knowing different, McIntyre has decided to take it to the people, and has launched an ambitious Kickstarter campaign to reveal the long-lost images in an exhibit fitting a Hip Hop King.

With perks including prints, clothing adorned with the images, and VIP access to the exhibition, McIntyre hopes that the images of one of rap’s fallen icons will be displayed with the reverence many feel is deserved.

For more information on the photos, and to learn about, and contribute to the campaign, visit Biggie Smalls: The Man Who Would Be King.

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