Notorious B.I.G.’s mother, Voletta Wallace, passes away at 78 remembering her life and impact
Voletta Wallace, mother of The Notorious B.I.G., has died at 78 in her Pennsylvania home. A former teacher and dedicated protector of her son’s legacy, she was instrumental in managing his estate and preserving his lasting impact on hip-hop
Legacy keeper of Biggie Smalls, Voletta Wallace, has died at 78. A guiding force in her son’s life and career, she devoted herself to preserving his heritage after his tragic death in 1997. Managing his estate, she ensured his music and influence continued shaping hip-hop culture. Beyond the industry, she contributed to documentaries and projects that honored his impact.
Born in Jamaica, Wallace moved to the U.S. and built a career as a teacher before her son, Christopher Wallace, rose to fame. After his murder, she played a key role in posthumous releases of his work and co-founded the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation. She remained a vocal advocate for justice in his case while fostering bonds with rap figures, including Afeni Shakur, Tupac’s mother.
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How did The Notorious B.I.G.’s mother preserve his legacy?
After the tragic murder of Big Poppa in 1997, Voletta Wallace took on the responsibility of managing her son's estate and preserving his impact. She played a key role in the release of posthumous albums like Born Again (1999) and Duets: The Final Chapter (2005), ensuring his music continued reaching audiences worldwide. Wallace also co-founded the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation, which supports educational initiatives and community programs in his honor.
Beyond art, Wallace was instrumental in keeping Biggie’s name alive through films and documentaries. She co-produced Notorious (2009), a biopic about her child's life, and later worked on Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell (2021), a Netflix documentary offering deeper insights into his journey. Her dedication helped solidify his legacy in hip-hop history while continuing to fight for fairness in his unsolved murder case.
What led to Biggie’s estate navigate industry betrayals under his mother’s watch?
Voletta Wallace played a crucial role in managing her son’s estate, approving projects like the first authorized documentary and his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2020. As The Notorious B.I.G.'s children took on more responsibility in preserving his name, she remained a guiding force, ensuring his influence endured across generations.
Voletta Wallace always believed that Sean 'Diddy' Combs betrayed her son, a truth that weighed heavily on her. Photo: The Independent
However, she was outspoken about those she believed had failed her son’s legacy, particularly Sean “Diddy” Combs. She stated, “I hope that I see Sean one day and the only thing I want to do is slap the daylights out of him. And you can quote me on that.” Once a central figure in Christopher´s career, Combs faced allegations that Wallace found deeply troubling. While she initially supported him, she later expressed shame and disappointment, marking a turning point in her perception of the Bad Boy Records founder.