Although, according to Pollstar, software engineer and tech entrepreneur Elliot Osagie has roots in the music industry, indicated by Rhino Records as the Founder and Chairman of record label Benin City Entertainment, “who has worked closely with Voletta Wallace and the Biggie Estate for just under a decade,” it was not until The Notorious B.I.G. record “G.OA.T.” (feat. Ty Dolla $ign & Bella Alubo) hit million streams that Osagie could objectively add hit producer to his repertoire. The song, since its release on May 20, 2022, one day before what would have been the rap legend’s birthday, has been streamed over 12 million times on Spotify alone.
Before this, much of Osagie’s work could be seen behind music artist Rebel Rae’s catalog, a soulful singer from the District of Columbia, in the U.S., under the imprint of Benin City Entertainment, whose debut album released in partnership through Sony Music’s Orchard as indicated by Singer’s Room. In the case of The Notorious B.I.G.’s “G.O.A.T. (feat. Ty Dolla $ign & Bella Alubo),” Osagie put his production to work on the release to honor what would have been Biggie’s 50th birthday, where he was quoted by COMPLEX, saying, “‘one of the things that I’ve learned building Biggie’s audience all these years is his global impact,’ Elliot Osagie, the founder of Benin City Entertainment, who’s worked with Biggie’s estate over the years, said about the track. ‘We wanted to create a song that paid homage to that impact, hence the Afrobeats theme.’”
Osagie partnered with Nigerian producer, Kayomusiq, as named by Rollingstone to build the track. Biggie’s vocals were added to create the single, where REVOLT reports that the song “incorporates Biggie’s verses from the Life After Death standout “I Love The Dough,” which saw him rapping about his extraordinary lifestyle.”
Ty dolla $ign talked about the collaboration being a dream realized, when he was quoted by Rhino Records, “Being on a song with Biggie has been a dream of mine since I was a kid. The song title is fitting of him…the G.O.A.T. Happy Birthday, Big. We miss you!”
According to Complex, the song also features ”Nigerian R&B singer Bella Alubo,” where “the Afrobeat-inspired track repurposes Biggie’s lyrics from Life After Death cut ‘I Love The Dough,’ his 1997 collaboration with fellow Brooklyn rapper Jay-Z.”
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The song was received with praise by Billboard saying the song “commemorating the 50th birthday of the gone-too-soon legend, ‘G.O.A.T.’ serves as a reminder of the timelessness of the Notorious B.I.G.’s music.” It continues, saying, the release has been “repurposed around new-school stars and still [sounds] fresh. Biggie’s verses come from 1997’s ‘I Love The Dough,’ while Ty Dolla $ign and Nigerian R&B artist Bella Alubo stop by and pay homage — and instead of sounding patched together, ‘G.O.A.T.’ sizzles, with all three artists making sense when placed next to each other.”
Rollingstone said the song “boasts a contemporary Afrobeats vibe,” taking “The Notorious B.I.G.’s verses from ‘I Love the Dough’ [and flipping them] into a new song.” They also quoted Biggie’s mother, Ms. Voletta Wallace, saying, “It’s wonderful to witness my son’s music reimagined for his fans and today’s generation of young men and women to embrace his art. I appreciate the hard work of all involved in bringing together the perfect blend of voices and music to this song, ‘G.O.A.T.’”
According to Spotify the song, in both the explicit and the non-explicit versions, has been streamed over 12 million times, and that is not included the data on all other streaming platforms. The song has also been featured in the hugely popular game, Fortnite, according to The Notorious B.I.G.
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