Hip hop fans, the old school is coming back, with two of the movement's Biggie-est stars back together on record again. Faith Evans and The Notorious B.I.G. - who famously met at a photo shoot in 1994 and were married days later - became one of the most legendary love stories in hip-hop history, and Evans has now, 20 years after B.I.G.’s still unsolved murder, announced the May release of The King & I, a new duets album that tells the story of their life together.

The album’s 25 tracks feature newly recorded vocals by Evans melded with vocals by Biggie Smalls, some well-known but also a selection of rare and unheard rhymes from the Biggie vault. Guest appearances are appropriately over the top - with features by some of the biggest names in rap including Busta Rhymes, Jadakiss, Lil’ Cease, Lil’ Kim, Sheek Louch, Styles P and Snoop Dogg. Evans has also brought on some of hip-hop's most acclaimed producers, many of whom produced some of B.I.G.’s most famous tracks back in the day, including DJ Premier, Just Blaze, Salaam Remi, Stevie J and Chucky Thompson.

“I remember telling Ms. Wallace years ago that one day it would be really dope if I could do something similar to Natalie & Nat King Cole’s Unforgettable,” says Evans. “Knowing the love that B.I.G. had for Tyanna & Ceejay, I feel it's my duty to uphold & extend his legacy, especially his musical contributions. This project is my creative reflection of the love we had & the bond we will always have. I'm elated to share this musical journey with our fans!”

The King & I will be released on May 19, just two days before Biggie’s birthday, and will be available on CD, download and streaming before coming to vinyl in June. Pre-orders are up now.

For a taste of what's to come, listen to the album’s first two singles - "NYC", Evans’ love letter to New York featuring Jadakiss, and "When We Party", the West Coast party anthem featuring Snoop Dogg.

In addition to the hiphop stars who appear on The King & I, there is one other very special guest: Biggie’s mother, Voletta Wallace. Her voice is featured on multiple tracks and offers a poignant narration of the album.

Faith Evans has enjoyed worldwide success over the years - as a singer, songwriter, actress and writer. She has recorded eight studio albums, including the back-to-back platinum smashes Faith (1995) and Keep The Faith (1998). "I’ll Be Missing You" (with Puff Daddy), her tribute to Biggie, debuted at #1 in 1997, stayed there for 11 weeks, and won a Grammy Award.

The Notorious "Biggie" B.I.G. is widely recognised as one of the world’s most influential rappers and has sold more than 17 million albums in the US alone. Before his murder in 1997, Christopher Wallace recorded two classic albums as The Notorious B.I.G. His debut Ready to Die arrived in 1994 and helped revitalise the East Coast rap scene with massive hits like "Big Poppa" and "Juicy". Life After Death was released in March 1997 just weeks after he was shot and killed in Los Angeles. The record topped the album charts in the US and featured the hits "Hypnotize" and "Mo Money Mo Problems".

The King & I collaboration will be a welcome return of two of hiphop's greatest stars, back together in duet.

Take a look at The King & I tracklisting:

1. A Billion
2. Legacy
3. Beautiful (Interlude)
4. Can’t Get Enough
5. Don’t Test Me
6. Big/Faye (Interlude) – featuring Jamal Woolard
7. Tryna Get By
8. The Reason
9. I Don’t Want It – featuring Lil’ Cease
10. I Got Married (Interlude) – featuring Mama Wallace
11. Wife Commandments
12. We Just Clicked (Interlude) – featuring Mama Wallace
13. A Little Romance
14. The Baddest (Interlude)
15. Fool For You
16. Crazy (Interlude) – featuring 112 & Mama Wallace
17. Got Me Twisted
18. When We Party – featuring Snoop Dogg
19. Somebody Knows – featuring Busta Rhymes
20. Take Me There – featuring Sheek Louch & Styles P
21. One In The Same
22. I Wish (Interlude) – featuring Kevin McCall & Chyna Tahjere
23. Lovin You For Life – featuring Lil’ Kim
24. NYC – featuring Jadakiss
25. It Was Worth It