Well, we all know that the B.I.G. vs. Tupac beef didn’t start off between enemies. According to author Ben Westhoff, the two even entertained the thought of being business partners.

In Westhoff’s book entitled Original Gangstas: The Untold Story Of Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Tupac and the Birth of West Coast Rap, it has been alleged, reportedly by Biggie’s old road manager, that the Brooklyn lyrical wunderkind wanted the late rapper/actor to manage him in the early stages of his career. It’s being reported that Shakur told him to “stick with Puffy” before the fallout known as the East Coast vs. West Coast beef was even a concept.

Westhoff’s book was drawn from interviews with Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, MC Ren, Snoop Dogg, Ice-T, D.O.C., Michel’le, Warren G, Mopreme Shakur, Cold 187um, Greg Mack, Alonzo Williams, Sir Jinx, and more. Check out his interview with the “Murder Master Music Show” below.