Voletta Wallace, the mother of the legendary rapper The Notorious B.I.G., passed away on February 21, 2025, at the age of 78. She died of natural causes at her home in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, while under hospice care.
As the matriarch of one of hip-hop’s most influential figures, Voletta dedicated her life to honoring her son’s memory and ensuring his legacy endured.
Early Life and Career
Born in Jamaica in 1946, Voletta Wallace immigrated to the United States in search of better opportunities. She settled in Brooklyn, New York, where she worked as a preschool teacher. As a single mother, she raised her only son, Christopher Wallace, in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood. Despite the challenges, Voletta was committed to providing a stable and nurturing environment for her son.
Life as Biggie’s Mother
Christopher Wallace, known professionally as The Notorious B.I.G., rose to fame in the early 1990s with his distinctive voice and storytelling prowess. Voletta, initially unfamiliar with rap music, referred to her son’s music as “noise.” However, after his untimely death, she immersed herself in his work, finding solace and pride in his artistic achievements. She once recounted, “I cried so much that day just listening to the music… He had a beautiful voice. I love his voice.”
Preserving Biggie’s Legacy
Following Biggie’s tragic murder in 1997, Voletta became the steward of his estate. At the time of his death, the estate was valued at approximately $10 million. Through Voletta’s diligent management, it grew to an estimated $160 million.
blackenterprise.com She was instrumental in various posthumous projects, including serving as a producer for the 2009 biopic “Notorious,” where Angela Bassett portrayed her.
blackenterprise.com In 2021, she co-executive produced the Netflix documentary “Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell,” further cementing her son’s enduring influence in music history.
Advocacy and Legal Pursuits
Voletta was unwavering in her quest for justice regarding her son’s unsolved murder. She filed multiple lawsuits against the Los Angeles Police Department, alleging their involvement in a cover-up. Her relentless pursuit highlighted the systemic issues within law enforcement and kept the case in the public eye. Despite the challenges, she remained hopeful, stating in 2021, “I’ll never give up. And I hope when I’m not in this world anymore, my friends and family will carry on the fight.”
Personal Reflections and Legacy
Beyond her public endeavors, Voletta cherished her role as a mother and grandmother. She took pride in the accomplishments of her grandchildren, T’yanna Wallace and Christopher “C.J.” Wallace Jr., ensuring they were well-supported through the estate’s success. Her dedication to preserving Biggie’s legacy extended to various charitable efforts, including the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation, which provides educational resources to inner-city youth.
Voletta Wallace’s unwavering commitment transformed personal tragedy into a mission of cultural preservation and advocacy. Her efforts not only honored her son’s memory but also contributed significantly to the recognition of hip-hop as a profound cultural force. As the music world mourns her passing, her legacy endures through the continued celebration of The Notorious B.I.G.’s life and artistry.