Notorious B.i.g. Cried When He Heard R. Kelly's I Believe I Can Fly

The singer had only come up with a few lyrics for the 1996 tune when he decided to give the rapper a preview - and his pal instantly recognised its hit potential.

Recalling the moment in his new memoir, Soulacoaster: The Diary of Me, Kelly writes, "He came over to the piano, and I started to play it for him: 'I believe I can fly, I believe I can touch the sky...' but so far that's all I had. (He said), 'I'm gonna tell you right now, B, that's a smash. That's a big hit right there. That's a Grammy winner, Rob.'

"When I was playing it for him, I was thinking - he's a hardcore rapper; this is gonna be too soft for him - but when I got through and looked up, his face was wet with tears. 'My brother,' he said, 'They gonna be playing that when you and I have moved on to the other side of time.'"

Biggie's prizewinning prediction was spot on - I Believe I Can Fly went on to win Kelly three Grammy Awards in 1998, including honours for Best R&B Vocal Performance - Male and Best R&B Song.