Voletta Wallace, the mother of legendary Brooklyn rapper the Notorious B.I.G., passed away at 78 on Friday at her home in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. Her death was confirmed by the Monroe County coroner, though no cause was immediately specified.

A dedicated mother and immigrant from Jamaica, Voletta Wallace was thrust into the limelight following the tragic death of her son, Christopher Wallace, also known as Biggie Smalls, who was killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles in 1997 at the young age of 24. His death came just six months after the fatal shooting of rapper Tupac Shakur, igniting a rivalry that would forever mark the history of hip-hop. The murder of both artists, which remains unsolved to this day, continues to fuel investigations, documentaries, and books.

Voletta was a preschool teacher who not only had a strong influence on her son’s early musical tastes but also played a pivotal role in his posthumous success. After Biggie’s death, his second album, Life After Death, was released just two weeks later, and Voletta stood by his legacy, even accepting an MTV Video Music Award on his behalf. She famously told the crowd, “I know if my son was here tonight, the first thing he would’ve done is say big up to Brooklyn.” A few years later, she joined Tupac’s mother, Afeni Shakur, at the MTV awards to promote unity and honor the legacies of both artists.

Beyond her involvement in her son’s career, Voletta Wallace also worked tirelessly with other mothers who had lost children to violence in the music industry. Through her foundation, the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation, and its B.I.G. (Books Instead of Guns) Night Out initiative, she promoted literacy and positivity to counteract violence. “All I want to do is put a book into a child’s hand,” she stated in 2003. “Books do not kill. But weapons do.”

In 2002, Voletta, alongside her son’s widow, Faith Evans, filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the Los Angeles Police Department, accusing them of mishandling the investigation into her son’s murder. Though the case eventually ended in a mistrial and was dismissed, it highlighted her unwavering quest for justice.

In addition to her work as an advocate for justice, Voletta also participated in the 2009 biopic Notorious, where she served as a producer and was portrayed by Angela Bassett. She even worked closely with Jamal Woolard, the actor who played her son, offering guidance to ensure an authentic portrayal.

Through her influence, Biggie’s legacy as one of hip-hop’s greatest icons has endured. Voletta often spoke of her early musical influence on him, sharing how they both enjoyed a mix of reggae, jazz, and country music in their Brooklyn home. Her own love for country music, particularly artists like Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson, was something that shaped the rapper’s musical tastes from a young age.

Born in Trelawny Parish, Jamaica, on February 3, 1953, Voletta was the daughter of a farmer and butcher and the mother of nine siblings. She moved to the United States as a young woman, where she later met George Latore, Biggie’s father. After her son’s birth, Voletta chose to focus on raising him, prioritizing his future over her own personal life.

Voletta Wallace leaves behind her two grandchildren, Christopher Jordan and T’yanna Wallace, continuing her son’s legacy through their lives.

Her dedication to her son’s memory, her involvement in social justice, and her contributions to the music industry have left an indelible mark on hip-hop culture and beyond. Through Voletta’s tireless efforts, the Notorious B.I.G.’s influence lives on, reminding us all of the powerful bond between a mother and her child and the enduring legacy of a musical legend.

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