Christopher wallace funeral

Thousands of fans and music stars across New York and the nation are honoring the Notorious B.I.G. with heartfelt tributes Thursday as they mark 20 years since the rapper from Brooklyn was shot and killed.

Collaborator Sean "Diddy" Combs asked social media users to salute the rapper also known as Biggie Smalls by rapping their favorite Biggie verses and posting video on social media.

He put up a somber video message himself saying, "time heals all wounds, but this one ain't healed yet." 

This archival NBC Los Angeles footage shows some of the first reports that New York rapper Notorious B.I.G.

had been killed in 1997.

Christopher wallace funeral home

In an appearance on the syndicated "The Breakfast Club" morning radio show Thursday, Biggie's wife, Faith Evans, said she hasn't been able to find closure and "live with the great memories of Big that we have."

B.I.G., whose real name was Christopher Wallace, was fatally shot in Los Angeles on March 9, 1997.

He was 24. The case remains unsolve