Voletta Wallace, Mother of The Notorious B.I.G., Dies at 78
Voletta Wallace, the matriarch of the Wallace family and the mother of the late rap icon The Notorious B.I.G., passed away on Friday at the age of 78. The Monroe County Coroner’s Office released a statement announcing her death, confirming that she succumbed to natural causes while under hospice care at her home in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.
The Notorious B.I.G., also known affectionately as Biggie Smalls, was gunned down in a tragic shooting in 1997 at the tender age of 24. Following the devastating loss of her beloved son, Voletta Wallace dedicated her life to preserving his legacy and advocating for social justice.
The Unsolved Deaths of Biggie and Tupac
Months before Biggie’s untimely demise, another legendary rapper, Tupac Shakur, met a similar fate in a drive-by shooting in 1996. Both murders remain unsolved, casting a long shadow over the hip-hop community.
In a poignant moment at the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards, Voletta Wallace and Afeni Shakur, mother of Tupac, embraced on stage after being introduced by actor and rapper Will Smith. This powerful display of compassion and unity served as a testament to the enduring bonds that transcended their sons’ rivalry.
Voletta Wallace’s Advocacy and Activism
Voletta Wallace was a tireless advocate for her son’s posthumous recognition. In 2020, she witnessed the induction of The Notorious B.I.G. into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, an accolade that filled her with immense pride.
"As a mother, I’m extremely proud of his accomplishments," she told Billboard. "I still see such a young man at a young age, and sadly, he’s not here to witness all this. But it’s an astute honor, and as a mother, I’m just elated for that."
Wallace praised her son’s lyrical honesty and authenticity. "Many of his songs speak truth," she observed. "It might be gritty, and maybe the language is so out there, but he was honest. There was nothing fake about what he was doing. I think for such a young man to resonate such honesty in his lyrics is awesome."
Portrayal in "Notorious" and Personal Controversies
Voletta Wallace’s life was brought to the big screen in the 2009 biopic "Notorious," with Academy Award nominee Angela Bassett portraying her. The film, produced by Wallace and executive produced by Sean "Diddy" Combs, chronicled the life and career of Biggie Smalls.
In recent years, Wallace had expressed her disapproval of Diddy, who is currently facing federal sex crimes charges. Speaking to Rolling Stone in 2021, she revealed that she wanted to "slap the daylights" out of him.
"I’m sick to my stomach," she said of Diddy’s legal troubles. "I’m praying for Cassie. I’m praying for his mother. I don’t want to believe the things that I’ve heard, but I’ve seen (the hotel video). I pray that he apologizes to her."
Legacy and Impact
Voletta Wallace’s passing marks a significant loss for the hip-hop community and beyond. As the matriarch of the Wallace family and the guardian of The Notorious B.I.G.’s legacy, she dedicated her life to preserving his memory and promoting his message of authenticity and social justice. Her unwavering love for her son and her unwavering commitment to his legacy will forever inspire generations to come.
