Voletta Wallace, the mother of the legendary Brooklyn rapper Notorious B.I.G., has passed away at 78. Her death took place on Friday while she was in hospice care at her home in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. The Monroe County coroner, Thomas Yanac, has confirmed her passing, though the cause of death has not been provided.
Voletta Wallace was a significant figure in the world of hip-hop, notably for her role in managing and preserving the legacy of her son, Christopher Wallace, who was murdered in 1997 at the young age of 24. Known as Biggie Smalls, he became a pivotal figure in the genre and is celebrated as one of the greatest rappers of all time. Following Biggie’s tragic death, which occurred just six months after the murder of his rival Tupac Shakur, Voletta worked tirelessly to ensure her son’s influence and contributions to hip-hop music continued to be recognized.
As a middle-class immigrant from Jamaica, Voletta navigated her son’s meteoric rise in the music industry while also dealing with the personal grief of his loss. Her determination not only highlighted her love for her son but also played a crucial role in shaping how future generations would remember him amid the enduring East Coast-West Coast rivalry in hip-hop.
Her passing marks the end of an era, but her legacy, as well as Biggie’s iconic status in the music world, will continue to resonate with fans and artists alike. Voletta’s life and work remind us of the strong bonds of family and the importance of preserving artistic legacies.