Sean 'Diddy' Combs pays tribute to Biggie on death anniversary

Sean 'Diddy' Combs is honoring his friend Notorious B.I.G. on the 18th anniversary of his death by encouraging fans to cover tribute song I'll Be Missing You.

The Hypnotize hitmaker was shot and killed in Los Angeles on 9 March, 1997, and on Monday (09Mar15), his protege and best friend Combs took to social media to remember his tragic pal.

Combs took to Instagram and posted a photo of Biggie, real name Christopher Wallace, sitting on a couch in his living room as a young boy, adding the caption, "18 years ago today we lost one of my best friends in the greatest rapper of all time the B I G. #RIPBIG post your favorite BIG picture. And how you feel about him... We miss you playboy."

In addition to sharing memories of the rapper, Combs also launched the #MissingYou challenge, urging fans to cover I'll Be Missing You, the Grammy-winning tribute track featuring himself, Biggie's wife Faith Evans, and R&B group 112.

Combs reposted the videos submitted by fans and celebrity followers, including rappers Ray J and Vic Mensa, who both shared clips of them singing along to the track while blowing smoke into the camera.

The hip-hop mogul kicked off the challenge at midnight, while he was partying at LIV nightclub in Miami, Florida, and he posted videos on Instagram of himself pumping up the crowd as Biggie's music played in the background.