Mother of Biggie Smalls, Voletta Wallace attends the Lincoln Center orchestral tribute to Notorious B.I.G at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts on June 10, 2022 in New York City. Source: John Lamparski / Getty
The hip-hop community is mourning the loss of Voletta Wallace, the mother of hip-hop icon, The Notorious B.I.G.
According to TMZ, Voletta passed away early morning on Feb. 21 in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, where she was in hospice care. Monroe County Coroner, Thomas Yanac, said that the 78-year-old’s death was due to natural causes.
An emotional eulogy was posted to the matriarch’s Instagram page Friday afternoon in which the Wallace family promised to give more detail about how fans could mourn Voletta’s legacy in the coming days.
“We suffered a tremendous loss today. Our mother, our matriarch, the woman who dedicated herself to uplifting her son, Christopher Wallace, and preserving his legacy has passed,” the post read. “It is with immense sadness that we share this news with you, and ask that you give our family the space and time needed to grieve this monumental loss. Thank you for your continued outpouring of love, prayers and condolences in this difficult time.”
The family added, “Please know that we will reach out in the coming days to share how we can all honor Ms. Wallace. Thank you for your extraordinary support and love.”
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Voletta was Biggie’s number 1 supporter.
Voletta has played a pivotal role in preserving and carrying on the legacy of her son, the late Notorious B.I.G., after his tragic death. Biggie, whose real name was Christopher Wallace, died on March 9, 1997. He was tragically shot in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles at the age of 24. As the overseer of his estate, she ensured that his wealth was passed down to his family, including his daughter, T’yanna Wallace, TMZ noted.
Voletta has also been her son’s biggest supporter, tirelessly championing his memory and contributions to the music world. In September, she took to Instagram to express her gratitude to fans for reaching a record number of streams for Biggie’s songs on Apple Music, a testament to his impact and influence.
“2.5 Billions on @applemusic ðð¾ðð¾ Thank you!!!” she penned
Voletta’s dedication also extended beyond music. She was the head of The Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation, a charity she established to enhance the lives of inner-city youth through education and the arts. In August 2024, Voletta and the foundation’s team visited A Lovely Trip to the Sound Theater in Pennsylvania, where they posed in front of a mural honoring Biggie. This visit marked another meaningful moment in her ongoing effort to keep her son’s spirit alive.
The 78-year-old was also instrumental in managing Biggie’s estate. After his tragic death, his estate was initially valued at around $10 million. Under her leadership, however, it has grown exponentially, now estimated to be worth $160 million, according to TMZ.
Rest in peace to Voletta Wallace.
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