"B.I.G."は、"Business Instead of Games'(ゲームではなくビジネス)の略で、「ビー・アイ・ジー」と読むのが正しいようですが、「ビッグ」とも呼ばれていたようです。
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. --The MTA is honoring one of rap’s late (今は亡き)legends with a limited edition MetroCard on what would have been the star’s 50th birthday.
On Saturday, May 21, the MTA, in partnership with Rhino Entertainment, will release 50,000 limited edition MetroCards honoring Brooklyn rap legend Christopher Wallace, more commonly known as The Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie Smalls.
“The MTA is commemorating Biggie’s legacy with this special commemorative MetroCard,” said MTA Chair Janno Lieber. “I’m from Brooklyn, and he’s the man who coined (新しい言葉を作った)that amazing phrase, ‘spread love, it’s the Brooklyn way,’ and we want to thank the Notorious B.I.G. for his legacy, especially for Brooklyn, but for all of New York.”
The 50,000 MetroCards will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis at vending machines in the following four Brooklyn stations at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, May 21.
“That’s Biggie’s home turf, (縄張り)and that’s where we’re selling these commemorative Notorious B.I.G. MetroCards,” Lieber said. “I dare say, they’re not going to last long, so move quickly and get yours.”
Widely regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time, Biggie Smalls was raised in Bedford-Stuyvesant in Central Brooklyn. The talented lyricist(作詞家), known for popular songs like “Juicy” and “Big Poppa”, was tragically killed in a drive-by shooting (走行中の車からの銃撃)in Los Angeles at age 24.