Watch New York congressman Hakeem Jeffries pay a tribute to the Notorious B.I.G.

The Democratic member rapped a verse from Juicy on the House Floor

Today (10 March), member of the Democratic leadership Hakeem Jeffries rapped a verse from Biggie Small’s track Juicy – the first single from the rapper’s 1994 debut album Ready To Die – on the House Floor.

While Diddy also made a tribute on his Twitter to the late rapper on the 20th anniversary of his death (9 March), what’s rather surprising about Jeffries’ tribute is the way he brings the hip-hop icon into the political arena.

As the Democratic member represents the Eighth Congressional District of New York which encompasses a large part of Brooklyn, he’s also a representative for the district where Biggie Smalls was raised. Paying homage to the icon, Jeffries makes a speech to honour his memory.

“He died 20 years ago today in a tragedy that occurred in Los Angeles. But his words live on forever.”

“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.”

Watch the video below and check out Diddy’s tribute, in which he urges fans to participate in his project.