Mother of the late rapper Notorious B.I.G. Voletta Wallace poses during a photocall for the film “Notorious” by US director George Tillmann and presented in competition of the 59th Berlinale Film Festival on February 11, 2009 in Berlin. (Getty)
Today marks the 20th anniversary of Biggie Smalls’ death.
The rap artist was shot dead on March 9, 1997, in Los Angeles, California. Voletta Wallace, Smalls’ mother, recently spoke to The New York Post about the pain she experiences on a daily basis. “It still hurts that nothing has been done.”
Read on to learn more about Voletta Wallace, Christopher Wallace’s mother.
1. Voletta Says She Has a ‘Very Good Idea’ Who Killed Her Son
Biggie Smalls’ murder remains unsolved 20 years after he was shot and killed, but Voletta Wallace told the Daily Mail she has a “very good idea” who killed her son.
She also said she thinks the LAPD knows who the killer is, but a conspiracy is keeping the case from ever being closed.
“They’ve done their investigation, but they just refuse to move forward. I don’t know why they haven’t arrested who was involved,” Voletta told the Daily Mail. “It seems to me that it’s one giant conspiracy, and someone is definitely being protected somewhere down the line.
“There’s no closure for me until that murderer is behind bars and sentenced,” she said.
2. She Was Born in Jamaica & Worked as a Preschool Teacher During Biggie’s Childhood
Voletta Wallace and Wayne Barrow attend the “Notorious” premiere during the 59th Berlin International Film Festival at the Berlinale Palast on February 11, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Voletta Wallace was born in Trelawny, Jamaica, in 1953. Biggie’s father, George Latore, was a Jamaican welder. Latore left the family when Wallace was about two-years-old.
Voletta worked as a preschool teacher during Biggie’s childhood.
In 2005, Voletta penned a memoir titled “Biggie: Voletta Wallace Remembers Her Son, Christopher Wallace, aka Notorious B.I.G.”. Speaking to NPR about the book, Voletta said, “He has touched so many people and so many people loved him and, you know, still do. That cannot take my pain away. What I am feeling inside is like a 100-pound lead weighing down in my chest. It’s very cold and it’s very heavy and I am so dying to get rid of it. But it’s not something you can get rid of, because that was my son. He was my baby. I am a mother and I will always be a mother.”
2. She Has an Estimated Net Worth of About $40 Million
Christopher “The Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace’s mother Voletta Wallace rings the opening bell of the NASDAQ stock market on January 8, 2009 in New York City. (Getty Images)
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Voletta has an estimated net worth of about $40 million. The outlet states that she became the manager of Biggie’s estate after his death, and founded the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation, which “serves as a vehicle for giving back to the community.”
When it comes to making decisions about her son’s estate, Voletta tells Billboard.com, “If I see something that’s going to belittle his integrity or his memory, I won’t do it. It has to do with principles, morality and honesty.”
What’s next in the lineup? According to the outlet, Voletta and her team are planning a number of Biggie projects, including a documentary and a companion album featuring duets, remixes, and unreleased verses.
4. She Produced ‘Notorious’ and Came to Set Almost Every Day
Director George Tillman Jr, Anthony Mackie, Angela Bassett, Angelique Smith and producer Voletta Wallace attend the premiere for ‘Notorious’ as part of the 59th Berlin Film Festival at the Berlinale Palast on February 11, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Voletta served as a producer on the film “Notorious,” and went to set everyday but one. Speaking with ABC News on the night before the movie’s release, Voletta said, “About six years ago, the final script was done. It was not an easy process. It was an arduous one, finding the right people, finding Fox Searchlight. It was tough to find people to believe in the project. Searchlight believed in us.”
She explains that in casting her son, she was looking for someone who was right in both stature and personality. Once Jamal Woolard came into the room, Voletta said, “There were so many up-and-coming rap artists with the same bio. Looking at his picture, I didn’t think he was right. But the first day I actually met him. … He came in for an audition; he walked in with the Biggie attitude. He was dressed the part, he knew his lines, he was very sure of himself. When he was leaving, I said to myself, ‘That’s my son.'”
Sean Combs also served as a producer on the film, along with Biggie’s former managers, Wayne Barrow and Mark Pitts.
5. She Has a Close Relationship With Tupac Shakur’s Mom
Afeni Shakur, Tupac Shakur’s mom. (Getty)
In the same interview with ABC News, Voletta revealed that she’s close with Afeni Shakur, Tupac’s mom. She says that days after Biggie’s death, she reached out to Afeni. “Today, to this moment, [we] have a wonderful relationship. We talk, we compliment each other, we bless each other. The relationship is as smooth as a baby’s bottom.”
Tupac Shakur, born Lesane Parish Crooks, was shot on September 7, 1996. His murder remains officially unsolved.