With the passing of Voletta Wallace at age 78 on Feb. 21, questions arise over who will take control of The Notorious B.I.G.’s $160 million estate. While initial reports suggested that his eldest daughter, T’yanna Wallace, could take the lead, the estate’s official succession plan remains uncertain as the Wallace family determines the next steps.
Inside the Estate
Since Christopher Wallace’s tragic death in 1997, his mother transformed a $10 million estate into an eight-figure powerhouse. Some sources, tough not verified, place the estate’s value as high as $160 millifion. A former preschool teacher with no prior experience in entertainment, Voletta Wallace demonstrated a sharp business sense that ensured her son’s legacy remained intact.
Rolling Stone reports that the estate is administered by the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation, which was set up by the late mother shortly after his untimely demise.
She worked closely with Biggie’s widow, Faith Evans, and merchandising manager, Wayne Barrow, to manage licensing, merchandise, and media projects while keeping the estate free from the public feuds and financial mismanagement that have plagued other celebrity estates.
Her influence extended beyond estate management. She executive produced the 2009 biopic “Notorious” and the 2021 Netflix documentary “Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell.”
She also authored the 2005 memoir “Biggie” and oversaw the release of posthumous music that has generated over 28 million RIAA-certified album sales and 5 billion music streams worldwide.
In 2021, according to The Hollywood Reporter, she secured a management deal with WME Legends Group, positioning Biggie’s estate alongside other high-profile brands. Through it all, she remained dedicated to balancing business growth with protecting her son’s artistic legacy.
The Key Players in Succession
Biggie’s firstborn, T’yanna Wallace, has already built a strong entrepreneurial foundation.
While attending Penn State University, she launched Notoriouss Clothing, a fashion line inspired by her father’s legacy. In 2024, she expanded her efforts with The Biggie Experience, an interactive project designed to connect fans to her father’s life and cultural influence.
Speaking with Forbes about the activation, she emphasized her commitment to keeping his memory alive, stating, “I always wanted his legacy to be available to his fans.”
His son, CJ Wallace, has taken a different approach, blending business with advocacy. Through his company, Frank White, he promotes the Think BIG initiative, which focuses on cannabis legalization and criminal justice reform, People reports.
When accepting Biggie’s 2020 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, he recognized his father as “one of the founding fathers of hip-hop,” signaling his deep appreciation for the impact left behind.
A longtime steward of the estate, Barrow has been instrumental in shaping its business strategy. According to Forbes, as Biggie’s former manager and the estate’s merchandising director, he helped launch major projects, including the 2022 NFT collection “The Sky’s The Limit,” which gave fans the chance to license a rare Biggie freestyle.
His extensive industry experience and close collaboration with Voletta Wallace position him as a key figure in ensuring a smooth transition, including helping to produce with Ms. Wallace, Saban Films’ City of Lies, starring Johnny Depp and Forest Whitaker.
Evans, an accomplished singer and Biggie’s widow, brings both personal and professional insight to estate decisions. As a Grammy-winning artist and CJ’s mother, she is important because she understands the importance of maintaining artistic integrity while navigating commercial opportunities. Her involvement over the years has reinforced a commitment to preserving Biggie’s legacy through music and media.
Navigating the Transition
The estate has multiple options moving forward. Leadership could be passed to one family member, managed collectively by the family, or handled by a professional management team with family oversight. While speculation has surrounded T’yanna Wallace’s potential leadership role, no official announcement has been made.
Regardless of who steps up, the foundation Voletta Wallace built remains strong. Her careful stewardship ensured Biggie’s legacy thrived, and her approach serves as a roadmap for the estate’s next chapter. Recent ventures, such as NFT collections, interactive exhibitions, and possible metaverse projects, indicate the estate will continue evolving to engage younger fans while honoring Biggie’s cultural impact.
Then, there is the “Juicy” artist’s positioning in The Hip Hop Museum that is soon to be opened in 2026.
Whoever assumes leadership will not just manage a lucrative estate but a cultural institution that has kept Christopher Wallace’s legacy alive and relevant for nearly three decades.
