The business surrounding The Notorious B.I.G.’s legendary music catalog has taken another major turn.
Wayne Barrow, Biggie’s longtime former manager and the trustee of his late mother Voletta Wallace’s trust, has secured an important court victory in the ongoing dispute involving Faith Evans, Biggie’s estate and profits connected to the rapper’s valuable music catalog.
A Delaware court sided with Barrow in the dispute, strengthening his authority over Voletta Wallace’s interests and ordering previously withheld funds to be released.
Wayne Barrow Wins Biggie Catalog Court Battle
The dispute centers around Notorious B.I.G. LLC, the company created to manage intellectual property connected to Christopher Wallace, better known around the world as The Notorious B.I.G.
According to reports, Delaware Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick ruled in Barrow’s favor regarding Voletta Wallace’s financial interest in the business.
Barrow serves as trustee of Voletta Wallace’s trust following her death in February 2025. The court determined that he is entitled to receive the 25% distribution associated with Voletta’s interest in proceeds stemming from the catalog partnership.
Faith Evans was also ordered to release money that Barrow claimed had previously been withheld.
The ruling additionally affirmed Barrow’s 50% membership interest in the LLC’s intellectual-property portfolio, a significant decision considering the enormous long-term value attached to Biggie’s music and brand.
Biggie's Catalog Has Become a Massive Music Asset
The legal battle carries major financial implications because Biggie's catalog remains one of hip-hop's most recognizable collections of music nearly three decades after his death.
In 2025, Primary Wave entered into a major partnership involving interests in Biggie's recordings, publishing and certain name, image and likeness rights.
Reports surrounding the transaction initially placed the deal around the $100 million range, demonstrating how valuable legacy hip-hop catalogs have become.
Biggie released only two studio albums during his lifetime — Ready to Die and Life After Death — but his influence on hip-hop has continued across generations.
Songs including “Juicy,” “Big Poppa,” “Hypnotize” and “Mo Money Mo Problems” remain staples of hip-hop culture, helping keep his catalog commercially relevant decades later.
Why Did Wayne Barrow Sue Faith Evans?
The dispute intensified following Voletta Wallace's death.
Barrow alleged that catalog-related proceeds had been distributed to Biggie's children while the portion belonging to Voletta's trust had been withheld.
The ownership and distribution structure surrounding Notorious B.I.G. LLC involves interests connected to Voletta Wallace, Faith Evans and Biggie's children Ty'anna Wallace and CJ Wallace.
Barrow's position as trustee therefore gave him responsibility for protecting the financial interests Voletta left behind.
According to reports, proceeds connected to Voletta's interest are ultimately intended for the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation.
The Biggie Estate Legal Fight Isn't Over
Despite Barrow's Delaware victory, the larger battle surrounding Biggie's estate continues.
CJ Wallace has filed a separate lawsuit in Pennsylvania challenging circumstances surrounding Barrow's increased authority over Voletta Wallace's estate shortly before her death.
That dispute could become another important chapter in determining how one of hip-hop's most valuable legacies is controlled in the future.
Biggie's Catalog Shows the Long-Term Value of Music Ownership
Beyond the family dispute, the situation illustrates something increasingly important in the modern music industry: music catalogs can become generational assets.
Streaming, licensing, publishing, film and television placements, merchandise and name-image-likeness opportunities can continue producing revenue decades after music was originally released.
For hip-hop artists building catalogs today, Biggie's estate provides another example of why ownership structures, trusts, publishing rights and long-term estate planning can become nearly as important as the music itself.
The Notorious B.I.G. died in 1997 at only 24 years old, but the business surrounding his music continues to generate significant value almost 30 years later.
As the remaining legal cases move forward, control of the Biggie legacy — and the money generated by it — will continue to be closely watched throughout the music industry.
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