Voletta Wallace Dies

Image credits: Andy Kropa / Invision / Associated Press

Voletta Wallace, the dedicated mother of the late great rapper The Notorious B.I.G, has passed away at the age of 78. She died of natural causes in hospice care at her home in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. Wallace was a devoted keeper of her son's legacy, working tirelessly to preserve his memory and advocate for justice in his unsolved murder case. The Notorious B.I.G, one of the most influential rappers in hip-hop history, was shot to death at the age of 24 in Los Angeles in 1997.

After her son's death, Wallace launched the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation, an organization that provides educational resources for children. She also worked as an executive producer on the Netflix documentary "Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell" and published a memoir, "Biggie: Voletta Wallace Remembers Her Son, Christopher Wallace, aka Notorious B.I.G." The book included never-before-published photographs and a foreword from Biggie's widow, singer Faith Evans. Wallace's efforts to keep her son's legacy alive have been instrumental in cementing his place in hip-hop history.

Wallace's son, The Notorious B.I.G, released his debut album "Ready to Die" in 1994, which has sold over six million units to date. His sophomore album, "Life After Death," released two weeks after his death, sold more than 11 million units and launched multiple hits, including the timeless No. 1 hits "Mo Money Mo Problems" and "Hypnotize." Some of his notable works include:

• "Ready to Die" (1994)
• "Life After Death" (1997)
• "Big Poppa"
• "Juicy"
• "Mo Money Mo Problems"
• "Hypnotize"

Wallace accepted the MTV Video Music Award for best rap video for "Hypnotize" on behalf of her son in 1997. Her dedication to her son's legacy has been unwavering, and her work has ensured that his music and memory continue to inspire and influence new generations of fans.

Wallace's family has asked for space and time to grieve this monumental loss, and fans and fellow artists have been paying tribute to her memory on social media. The news of her passing has sent shockwaves through the music industry, with many expressing their condolences and gratitude for her tireless efforts to preserve her son's legacy. As the mother of one of hip-hop's greatest performers, Voletta Wallace's legacy will continue to be felt for years to come.

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