Notorious BIG was killed six months after his rival Tupac Shakur

The announcement follows a trial into his wrongful death that collapsed last year after the LAPD withheld documents.

Earlier this year authorities to pay the rap star's family $1.1m (�589,000) for errors made during the trial. A new trial is set for early next year.

Notorious BIG, also known as Biggie Smalls, was shot and killed in March 1997 while leaving a party.

The rapper's relatives have claimed two former police officers were involved in his shooting.

It has also been claimed the performer - real name Christopher Wallace - was killed in a hip-hop feud that resulted in the death of fellow rap star Tupac Shakur six months earlier.

'Credible evidence'

An LAPD spokeswoman told the Associated Press news agency no new evidence has been discovered but any findings could help the police fight the family's claims.

Earlier this month, the LAPD issued a press release attributing the allegations regarding its handling of the investigation to false information supplied by a disgruntled former employee.

"The investigation is ongoing and the department remains committed to conducting [it] in a professional and thorough manner," it said.