Voletta Wallace, the devoted mother of legendary rapper The Notorious B.I.G. and a fierce guardian of his legacy, passed away on Friday morning at the age of 78.

Monroe County Coroner Thomas Yanac confirmed to Rolling Stone that Wallace died at her home in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, following hospice care. Her passing was attributed to natural causes.

A representative for The Notorious B.I.G.’s estate has not yet issued a statement.

The Notorious B.I.G., born Christopher Wallace, was tragically shot and killed in Los Angeles in 1997 at just 24 years old. His murder remains unsolved. He was survived by his wife, singer and actress Faith Evans, as well as his two children, Christopher Jordan Wallace and T’yanna Dream Wallace.

PRESERVING THE LEGACY OF CHRISTOPHER WALLACE

Throughout her life, Voletta Wallace remained committed to preserving her son’s legacy. Initially, she dismissed his music as mere “noise,” but after his passing, she gained a newfound appreciation for his artistry. In a 2017 interview with the AP, she reflected on the first time she truly listened to his lyrics:

“I cried so much that day just listening to the music. I remember I sat, I stood. I rested my head on the stereo and I just cried like a baby. And that was therapy for me. And I said, ‘Oh my God — that was a talented young man to put those words together.’ He had a beautiful voice. I love his voice.”

Determined to honor her son’s memory, Wallace founded the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation, which provides educational resources for children. In 2003, she organized “B.I.G. Night Out,” a benefit event where she paid tribute to the mothers of other artists who passed away too soon, including Aaliyah, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, Tupac Shakur, Jam Master Jay, Big Pun, Big L, and Freaky Tah.

Her unwavering dedication ensured that Biggie’s influence and impact lived on far beyond his years.