The Sandbox, one of the premier decentralized metaverses, announced yesterday a new experience with a decidedly hip-hop flair. Called “Breakin’ B.I.G.,” the permanent activation celebrates the life and music of Notorious B.I.G. (Christopher Wallace), a rapper who rose to fame in the 1990s before his untimely death in 1997.
In the activation, players can interact with a 2D nonplayable version of Biggie, complete quests as an up-and-coming rap star, and face off against B.I.G.’s virtual adversaries. The experience takes place in a metaverse representation of Brooklyn, where Notorious B.I.G. grew up. The Sandbox is also debuting an avatar collection in Biggie’s honor, a 1,500 set that is inspired by the rapper’s legacy.
Sebastien Borget, The Sandbox co-founder, said in a statement that he is excited players will be able to explore a “rich Brooklyn environment” that has an arcade-feel, something the metaverse has never done before. He added that fans will be able to interact with Biggie in an entirely new way, complete with a throwback 90’s adventure.
The Notorious B.I.G. experience comes in partnership with the late rapper’s label, Warner Music Group, and the rapper’s estate. B.I.G. will join other music legends such as Elvis Presley, Snoop Dogg, Deadmau5, and Steve Aoki who have all either built experiences or lent their (virtual) likenesses to the platform.
This isn’t the first time Warner Music Group has partnered with The Sandbox. Early in 2022, it announced the purchase of a land parcel on the metaverse platform, on which it will hold concerts and experiences featuring the label’s artists.
The Sandbox Makes News in Web3
Many metaverse enthusiasts consider The Sandbox one of the top decentralized virtual worlds, realms that use non-fungible tokens for assets and cryptocurrency for transactions. It has formed partnerships with some of the top names in the space, including many celebrities and companies looking to establish themselves in Web3.
The platform made quite a bit of news in the bear market, with headlines appearing every month about a new collaboration, often with a big name buying land or creating an experience for the game’s users. Here is a quick sample of headlines from the stories Rarity Sniper has covered:
- The British Museum Enters the Sandbox Metaverse
- The Sandbox Partners With Celebs, Brands on Metaverse LAND Sale
- Care Bear NFTs Arrive In The Sandbox Metaverse
- Forbes Hosts Web3 Event in The Sandbox Metaverse
- Paris Hilton Hosts Metaverse Cryptoween Party in The Sandbox
- Gucci Vault Land Metaverse Debuts in The Sandbox
- The Sandbox Hosts Its First Metaverse Wedding
- The Irish Shebeen Opens in The Sandbox for St. Patty’s Day
As you can see, The Sandbox specializes in partnerships, the kind that make news in crypto and outside of it. While its cryptocurrency has struggled in the bear market, there are signs that it may be due for a rebound. With the space heating up again, the platform is one to watch. Rarity Sniper certainly will be, and we’ll report back if we hear anything.