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The Legend Of The Biggie Belt
Twenty-three years ago, The Notorious B.I.G. left his 52-inch belt at ‘The Source’ magazine weeks before he died. Nine Keepers of the Belt kept it safe and secret. Why was this accessory so important?
Update 6/7/22: Level has a new home. You can read this article and other new articles by visiting LEVELMAN.com.
I feel silly telling this story. I mean, it’s just a belt. But it matters to me.
The story begins in 1997 at The Source magazine.
And it starts with Rigo “Riggs” Morales.
Last week, Riggs was named senior VP, A&R and artist development at Atlantic Records. Over the past 20 years, Riggs has signed and guided dozens of platinum-selling acts, from Eminem to Wiz Khalifa and Janelle Monae.
He is an accomplished executive, respected by his peers and musicians. But 23 years ago, he was a writer and editor at The Source magazine. And he was over it.
After a few years at the red-hot center of hip-hop journalism, he felt like he wasn’t getting…
