J. Cole Performs The Notorious B.I.G.'s 'Hypnotize'

J. Cole honored the spirit of The Notorious B.I.G. on Saturday (Feb. 20), with a performance of Biggie’s 1997 classic “Hypnotize” off the legendary double album Life After Death.

During his Air + Style festival set at Los Angeles’ Exposition Park, Jermaine seemed to be gearing up for a performance of his own early hit “Who Dat.” But Frank White’s Herb Alpert-inspired beat dropped and Cole went in with Biggie’s rhymes.

This homage comes nearly two decades after Biggie’s death in Los Angeles. In March of ’97, the rapper was shot and killed in a still-unsolved murder just days before his second studio album, Life After Death, was released.

With that tribute, the 2014 Forest Hills Drive MC headlined Air + Style’s first of two nights in L.A. this weekend. Action Bronson, A$AP Ferg, A-Trak, Bas, Cozz, and Omen also performed on Saturday. Meanwhile, Sunday included sets from Incubus, Flatbush Zombies, Travis Barker, Danny Brown, and Migos.

Check out Cole’s best Biggie impression below.