Rest in Power, Voletta Wallace 

A mother. A guardian. A visionary.

Voletta Wallace, mother of Christopher Wallace — better known to the world as The Notorious B.I.G. — has peacefully passed away at the age of 78. But her legacy stretches far beyond her years. It is carved into the continued story of hip-hop, of Black entrepreneurship, and of a mother’s unbreakable love.

When Biggie was tragically taken from us in 1997, his estate was valued at around $10 million — a number that could have quietly faded with time. But under Ms. Wallace’s stewardship, it became something far greater. Through licensing deals, brand partnerships, documentaries, biopics, and cultural collaborations, she turned that $10 million into an estimated $160 million, creating generational wealth for her grandchildren and ensuring her son’s name would never be forgotten.

But it was never just about the money.
Ms. Wallace was fiercely intentional about how her son’s image, voice, and name were used. She said no more often than she said yes — protecting Biggie’s essence from exploitation while opening doors for new generations to discover his genius with respect and reverence.

From producing the acclaimed 2009 film Notorious to co-authoring books, to helping bring Biggie’s music to global streaming platforms and cross-genre collaborations, she moved with quiet force. And just before her passing, she completed a historic deal with Primary Wave, transferring part of the rights to Biggie’s catalog and likeness — ensuring that the next chapter of his legacy would continue to evolve with care.

Her work wasn’t loud, but it was profound. She didn’t just preserve a legacy — she expanded it. She took tragedy and built a future out of it, brick by brick.

“You never stop being a mother,” she once said in an interview.
Even after death, her devotion echoes.

Today, we honor not only the matriarch of one of hip-hop’s greatest icons — but a woman who quietly redefined what it means to protect and grow an artist’s legacy.

Rest well, Ms. Voletta Wallace.
Your strength lives on.