Voletta Wallace, the mother of hip-hop icon Notorious B.I.G., has passed away at the age of 78. She died on Friday in hospice care at her home in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. While the cause of her death is not yet known, her legacy lives on through her son.
Voletta came to the U.S. from Jamaica and raised her son, Christopher Wallace, a.k.a. Biggie Smalls, as a single mother. Her life changed drastically when Biggie was murdered in a drive-by shooting in 1997 at just 24 years old. This tragedy followed the violent killing of another renowned rapper, Tupac Shakur, just six months earlier, intensifying the rivalry in the East Coast-West Coast rap scene.
The murders of both Tupac and Biggie remain unsolved to this day, captivating true-crime enthusiasts and spawning numerous books, documentaries, and articles. In 2023, a significant development occurred when Duane Keith Davis, a former gang leader, was charged with Tupac’s murder and is awaiting trial.
After Biggie’s death, Voletta took charge of his artistic legacy. His second album, “Life After Death,” was released only two weeks after he was killed. In a moving tribute, she accepted the MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video for “Hypnotize,” stating that Biggie would have celebrated Brooklyn in his acceptance speech.
Ms. Wallace’s fierce dedication and love for her son played a crucial role in keeping his memory alive. Her efforts helped solidify Notorious B.I.G. as a timeless figure in hip-hop history. The impact of her work will continue to resonate among fans and music lovers for generations to come.
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Wallace, Voletta,Deaths (Obituaries),Rap and Hip-Hop,Wallace, Christopher G
