ECNETNews, New York, NY, Fri. Feb. 21, 2025: Voletta Wallace, the Jamaican-born mother of rap legend The Notorious B.I.G., has passed away at the age of 78. She died of natural causes while in hospice care at her home in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, as confirmed by the Monroe County Coroner’s Office.
Born in Trelawney, Jamaica, Wallace was a devoted mother who significantly influenced her son, Christopher Wallace, known to the world as Biggie Smalls. A former pre-school teacher, she raised him as a single parent in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, closely supporting his pursuit of music. Biggie often referenced his mother in his songs, including the iconic 1994 hit ‘Juicy’ and ‘Things Done Changed.’
A Legacy of Strength and Dedication
After Biggie’s tragic murder in 1997, Wallace took on the responsibility of preserving his legacy, managing his estate to ensure his profound impact on music and culture continued. Just months after his passing, she accepted the award for Best Rap Video at the MTV Video Music Awards, honoring her son’s Brooklyn roots with heartfelt words: “If my son was here tonight, the first thing he would have done is say… big up to Brooklyn.”
Determined to share her son’s story, Wallace authored the memoir ‘Biggie: Voletta Wallace Remembers Her Son, Christopher Wallace, aka Notorious B.I.G.’ in 2005. In a poignant reflection, she expressed, “That cannot take my pain away… He was my baby. I am a mother and I will always be a mother.”
In 2009, she was a producer for the biopic ‘Notorious,’ where the portrayal of her by Angela Bassett was a deeply emotional experience for her. “It made me angry, made me sad. I learned a lot about my son – a lot that I never knew. But I still love him because he was from here,” she noted.
Honoring Biggie’s Legacy
Wallace actively celebrated her son’s contributions to hip-hop, participating in numerous tributes. In 2022, she joined Biggie’s children and hip-hop artists to illuminate the Empire State Building in red and white to commemorate what would have been his 50th birthday, part of a series of events celebrating his legacy.
Tributes Pour In
Hakeem Jeffries, Congressman and Democratic House Minority Leader representing Brooklyn, paid tribute to Wallace, describing her as an “intelligent, strong, and dignified Queen Mother who raised a legend.”
“We mourn her loss but celebrate her life, finding comfort that she is now reunited with her beloved Notorious B.I.G. in heaven. May she forever rest in peace,” he stated.
Voletta Wallace’s enduring love for her son has ensured that his legacy remains alive. She will be remembered not only as the mother of one of hip-hop’s greatest icons but also as a strong matriarch who shaped the world of music.
