Voletta Wallace, the devoted mother of legendary rapper The Notorious B.I.G. and the fierce protector of his legacy, passed away on Friday morning at her home in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. She was 70 years old.
Monroe County Coroner Thomas Yanac confirmed her passing, stating that she died of natural causes after receiving hospice care. A representative for the rapper’s estate has not yet issued an official comment.
A Mother’s Love and Lifelong Dedication
Born in Jamaica, Voletta Wallace was known for her strength, resilience, and unwavering love for her son, Christopher Wallace, better known by his stage name, The Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie Smalls. Though she initially dismissed his music as “noise,” his death in 1997 at just 24 years old reshaped her understanding of his work and impact on the world.
In a 2017 interview, marking 20 years since Biggie’s death, Voletta recalled the emotional moment she truly listened to her son’s music for the first time:
“I cried so much that day just listening to the music… That was therapy for me. And I said, ‘Oh my God — that was a talented young man to put those words together.’ He had a beautiful voice. I love his voice.”
Keeping Biggie’s Legacy Alive
After her son’s tragic death—an unsolved murder that shocked the music world—Wallace became the guardian of Biggie’s legacy. She established the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing educational resources for children, particularly those in underprivileged communities.
In 2003, she organized “B.I.G. Night Out”, a benefit event honoring mothers of other musicians who died too soon, including Aaliyah, Tupac Shakur, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, and Jam Master Jay.
“It’s the foundation’s way just to let these parents know that we love them,” she said at the time.
Fighting for Justice
Wallace also fought tirelessly for justice in her son’s unsolved murder. In 2002, she filed a wrongful death lawsuit accusing David A. Mack, a former LAPD officer, of orchestrating Biggie’s killing and hiring Amir Muhammad (also known as Harry Billups) as the shooter. Though she later dropped the lawsuit in 2004, her pursuit of justice remained a key focus throughout her life.
Preserving Biggie’s Story Through Film
Wallace also worked as an executive producer on the 2021 Netflix documentary “Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell.” The documentary offered a deeper look at Biggie’s life, rise to fame, and the man behind the music. Despite her deep involvement in honoring her son’s legacy, Wallace often highlighted her private nature:
“I was thrust into this environment after he passed away because I’m a very private person.”
The Lasting Legacy of The Notorious B.I.G.
The Notorious B.I.G. remains one of hip-hop’s most influential artists. His 1994 debut album, “Ready to Die,” featured iconic hits like “Big Poppa” and “Juicy,” and has sold over 6 million units according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
His posthumous album, “Life After Death,” released just two weeks after his murder, sold more than 11 million units and featured timeless tracks like “Mo Money Mo Problems” and “Hypnotize.” Wallace accepted the MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video for “Hypnotize” on behalf of her late son in 1997.
A Final Farewell
Voletta Wallace’s passing marks the end of an era for those who admired both her strength as a mother and her dedication to preserving Biggie’s legacy. She leaves behind her son’s two children, Christopher Jordan Wallace and T’yanna Dream Wallace, as well as a lasting impact on the hip-hop community and charitable efforts in her son’s name.
Her legacy, like her son’s music, will continue to inspire fans and families alike for generations to come.
