The son of late rap icon The Notorious B.I.G. has challenged changes made to his grandmother Voletta Wallace’s will shortly before her death, arguing that the amendment should be investigated by the court.
Christopher Jordan “C.J.” Wallace filed legal documents seeking to invalidate an amendment that was signed just 15 days before Voletta died in February 2025. According to the filing, the earlier 2020 will largely left personal possessions and other assets to C.J. and his sister, Ty’anna Wallace.
The disputed amendment allegedly removed C.J. and his sister from key positions and named Wayne Barrow, a former manager of The Notorious B.I.G., as executor and sole trustee of Voletta’s estate.
C.J. has questioned the circumstances surrounding the late change. He claims his grandmother was in declining health at the time, taking several medications and frequently confined to bed.
He has also raised concerns about the signatures on the amendment, describing them as appearing inconsistent and arguing that they should be examined by an expert.
The legal dispute is particularly significant because Voletta controlled a stake in the business interests connected to her son’s musical legacy.
Voletta and Biggie’s widow, singer Faith Evans, had established Notorious B.I.G., LLC in 2007 to manage the rapper’s intellectual property. Voletta’s interest eventually became part of her trust.
The latest dispute follows a separate legal battle involving Barrow and Evans.
A Delaware judge recently ruled in Barrow’s favour in a case concerning control of the trust and the late rapper’s intellectual property. The court confirmed that Barrow currently has authority to act on behalf of Voletta’s trust, although C.J.’s separate Pennsylvania challenge remains pending.
C.J.’s Pennsylvania lawsuit alleges that Barrow improperly influenced Voletta before she changed her estate plans.
The challenge means the dispute over control of Voletta Wallace’s estate and part of The Notorious B.I.G.’s enduring music legacy is far from over.
Biggie, whose real name was Christopher Wallace, was killed in Los Angeles in March 1997 at the age of 24. His mother subsequently became one of the key figures responsible for protecting and promoting his legacy.
