when did i'll be missing you come out
"I'll Be Missing You" by Puff Daddy (now Diddy), Faith Evans, and 112 was released as a single on May 27, 1997.
This iconic hip-hop tribute to The Notorious B.I.G., who was tragically killed earlier that year on March 9, sampled The Police's "Every Breath You Take" and exploded onto the charts, debuting at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Release Timeline
Here's the detailed rollout across formats and regions, drawn straight from official records:
| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | May 20, 1997 | Rhythmic radio | Bad Boy/Arista |
| United States | May 27, 1997 | CD single | Bad Boy/Arista |
| United Kingdom | June 16, 1997 | Vinyl/CD/Cassette | Arista/Puff Daddy |
| Japan | July 2, 1997 | CD | Bad Boy/Arista |
Chart Dominance & Legacy
- Held #1 on Billboard Hot 100 for a record-breaking 11 weeks —longest for any rap song until Eminem topped it years later.
- Won Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 1998 awards.
- Sold millions worldwide: 3M+ in the US, 1M+ each in Germany and UK, making it one of the best-selling singles ever.
- Still charting echoes: Re-entered UK Top 40 in 2007 at #32, a decade post-release.
Cultural Backstory
Crafted amid raw grief after Biggie's murder, Puff Daddy (with producer Stevie J) flipped Sting's brooding police hit into a heartfelt eulogy. Faith Evans, Biggie's widow, delivered the soulful chorus that hooked the world. The music video, shot at Chicago's O'Hare Airport, dropped around May 1997 too.
Nearly three decades later in 2026, it remains a staple—think anniversary streams, covers (like BTS in 2021), and endless "90s hip-hop" playlists. No major new releases tied to it lately, but its streaming numbers prove timeless appeal.
TL;DR at bottom: Dropped May 27, 1997; topped charts globally as Biggie tribute.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.