NEW YORK -- Voletta Wallace, the devoted mother of the late rapper The Notorious B.I.G., passed away on Friday morning at the age of 78. According to Monroe County Coroner Thomas Yanac, she died of natural causes at her home in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, after spending time in hospice care.
Wallace was not just known as the mother of Christopher Wallace, but as the passionate keeper of his legacy, helping to build and maintain his estate following his tragic murder. After her son was shot to death at the young age of 24, she became the steward of his estate, which she grew from $10 million to approximately $160 million. This remarkable transformation reflects her dedication and business acumen.
Reflecting on her relationship with her son and his music, Wallace once shared, "I remembered my son said, 'Don't listen to my music.' And I never listened to his music. I heard it on the radio and it sounded good..." This deep personal connection took time to nurture; she initially resisted listening to his songs, which she once deemed as just "noise." Yet over the years, as she embraced his artistry, it became evident how much pride and pain music could evoke.
She played a pivotal role as an executive producer for the Netflix documentary "Biggie: I Got A Story To Tell" and was also one of the producers of the 2009 biopic "Notorious," where she was portrayed by Angela Bassett. Reflecting on her experience with these works, she noted, "Today, I’m feeling great... I still see such a young man at a young age... I’m just elated for [his accomplishments]." Her pride for her son was palpable even years after his sudden departure.
Voletta Wallace was born as a Jamaican immigrant and raised her son as a single parent after his father left the family when Christopher was just three. Despite the challenges of single motherhood, she worked as a schoolteacher and instilled values of hard work and faith, nurturing Biggie’s immense talent along the way.
Despite the rollercoaster of fame, Biggie remained close to his mother throughout his meteoric rise to superstardom, known for classics like "Ready to Die" and "Life After Death." Voletta maintained her commitment to her roots, having brought him up as a Jehovah's Witness, and upheld her faith as the foundation of their lives.
Following her son's unsolved murder on March 9, 1997, Voletta took on the formidable task of sustaining his legacy. Though the wounds of his death inflicted lasting grief, she tirelessly worked to immortalize his name and his contributions to music. She addressed the importance of preserving her son’s memory at numerous events, sharing emotional reflections about his life and the state of hip-hop. "It still hurts...nothing has been done..." she expressed poignantly during one such gathering.
Wallace often spoke candidly about her feelings toward Sean 'Diddy' Combs, Biggie's longtime friend and collaborator. Following allegations against Combs, she shared her personal frustrations, stating, "I hope to see Sean one day and the only thing I want to do is slap the daylights out of him..." While complex, her relationship with Combs highlighted the many layers of grief and admiration she held for those her son embraced.
A devoted and proud mother, she used her influence not only to amplify her son’s legacy but also advocate for those who needed it. She once described her son as generous, saying, "If I could sum up Christopher in one word the word would be generous..." This sense of giving defined Biggie’s spirit, and through Voletta, it continues to resonate with fans around the world.
Since her passing, tributes from friends, family, and fans have flooded social media, showcasing the enduring impact she and her son left within the hip-hop community. One fan poignantly wrote, "RIP to a legend who birthed another legend," epitomizing the gratitude felt by many who grew up loving Biggie's music and the memories stirred by Voletta’s efforts.
Today, as we mourn the loss of Voletta Wallace, we celebrate her life and the remarkable legacy she preserved for her beloved son, reminding us all of the potent bond between motherhood and artistry.