All The Celebs Who Attended Biggie’s Mom’s Funeral, Including Lil Kim, Christian Combs, Ma$e and More

At age 78, Voletta Wallace died of natural causes on February 21, 2025.

Photo: Getty Images John Lamparski

Dozens of loved ones showed up to honor the life and legacy of Voletta Wallace, the mother of deceased rapper Christopher Wallace— also known as Notorious B.I.G. In a bittersweet moment, Wallace’s service was held on Wednesday (March 12) at the same funeral home where her son’s was held in 1997.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
‘Origin’ Star Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor: Ava DuVernay Is “A Freedom Fighter Posing As A Director”

Stars and close family members gathered to the event to pay their respects. Some of music’s most prominent figures like Biggie’s widow, Faith Evans, Lil Kim, Ma$e and more gathered around 10 a.m., according to the New York Post. Take a look at some of the figures who attended the service and their connection to Wallace and Biggie’s legacy.

Lil Kim

Photo: Getty Images Theo Wargo Photo: Getty Images Theo Wargo

The New York City rapper was spotted bringing flowers to Wallace’s funeral. She and Smalls had a close friendship before his murder. Kim was also the leading lady of Junior M.A.F.I.A., the Hip-Hop group founded by Biggie.

Lil Kim and Voletta Wallace

Photo: Getty Images Arturo Holmes Photo: Getty Images Arturo Holmes

Even after his death, Kim— real name Kimberly Denise Jones— maintained a close relationship with the rapper’s mom. The two women have been spotted at several events honoring the later rapper.

Ma$e

Photo: Getty Images Alberto E. Rodriguez Photo: Getty Images Alberto E. Rodriguez

The former Bad Boy artist showed up to Wallace’s funeral dressed in a burgundy suit. Most recently, he revealed he was more of a fan of California rapper Tupac, but after being introduced to Biggie, his life and taste in music changed forever.

Biggie’s Daughter T’yanna Wallace

Photo: Getty Images Arturo Holmes Photo: Getty Images Arturo Holmes

Biggie’s oldest child, T’yanna Wallace, was in attendance at her grandmother’s funeral. She was seen pushing a baby stroller, with presumably Wallace’s great-granddaughter inside.

T’yanna Shares the Service Program

Photo: Instagram Photo: Instagram

Voletta’s service was held at the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel on New York City’s Upper East Side, the same funeral home where her son’s funeral was held in 1997 and singer Aaliyah’s was held in 2001.

Biggie’s Son C.J. Wallace

Photo: Getty Images [{‘styles’: [], ‘value’: ‘Instagram’, ‘type’: ‘Text’}] Photo: Getty Images [{‘styles’: [], ‘value’: ‘Instagram’, ‘type’: ‘Text’}]

The late rapper’s son, Christopher Jordan Wallace, also showed up to the event. He was spotted surrounded by family and other loved ones, including his sister, T’yanna.

Biggie’s Kids and Mother

Photo: Getty Images John Lamparski Photo: Getty Images John Lamparski

The Wallace kids have made it their business to preserve their father’s legacy over the years. Together with their grandmother, the Wallace crew has organized charities, hosted events and more to honor the late rapper.

Christian Combs

Photo: Getty Images Gareth Cattermole Photo: Getty Images Gareth Cattermole

Son of Sean “Diddy” Combs, Christian Combs, was also seen at Wallace’s funeral service. Most likely sent in place of his father, who’s being held in a New York jail, Christian was dressed in all black as he greeted family and friends of Wallace and his father.

Diddy and Christopher Wallace

Photo: Getty Images Ron Galella Photo: Getty Images Ron Galella

The founder of Bad Boy Entertainment is widely credited with discovering Biggie and propelling him to fame in the early ‘90s.

Diddy and Voletta Wallace

Photo: Getty Images Arturo Holmes, Samir Hussein Photo: Getty Images Arturo Holmes, Samir Hussein

In response to the ongoing allegations against Diddy, Wallace told Rolling Stone she felt “sick to my stomach.” She continued saying, “I hope that I see Sean one day and the only thing I want to do is slap the daylights out of him. And you can quote me on that,” she said. “Because I liked him. I didn’t want to believe all the awful things, but I’m so ashamed and embarrassed.”

Faith Evans

Photo: Getty Images Paras Griffin Photo: Getty Images Paras Griffin

Mother of C.J. Wallace and widow of Biggie, singer Faith Evans, was spotted at Wallace’s service.

Lil Kim and Faith Evans

Photo: Getty Images John Sciulli Photo: Getty Images John Sciulli

In recent years, both Evans and Kim have said there’s no animosity between them. “My issues with Kim really went out the window when B.I.G. passed, to be quite honest,” Evans said in 2017. The two women even collaborated together on the 2017 song “Lovin’ You for Life.”

Jay Z’s Mom Gloria Carter

Photo: Getty Images J. Merritt Photo: Getty Images J. Merritt

Gloria Carter showed up to the service to pay her respects. Her son, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and Biggie were close associates during the peak of the “Big Poppa” rapper’s career.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

13 Times Stephen A. Smith Disappointed Black Folks

13 Times Stephen A. Smith Disappointed Black Folks

Before Stephen A. Smith gets serious about a potential 2028 presidential run, he still has to answer for these shocking and disappointing incidents …
Black Stars Who Slayed on the 2026 American Black Film Festival Honors Red Carpet

Black Stars Who Slayed on the 2026 American Black Film Festival Honors Red Carpet

From the Oscar nominees like Ryan Coogler to veterans like Vivica A. Fox, check out some of our faves who slayed on the ABFF 2026 red carpet! …
The Best and Worst TikTok Theories About Beyoncé's Upcoming 'Act III' Album

The Best and Worst TikTok Theories About Beyoncé’s Upcoming ‘Act III’ Album

Thanks to Beyoncé’s recent photo dump on social media, many fans are pointing to it as potential clues for her next musical act. Let’s get into all of the best and worst breakdowns! …
Sherrone Moore May Get A Break After Judge Orders Hearing After Having Concerns His 'Due Process May Have Been Violated'

Sherrone Moore May Get A Break After Judge Orders Hearing After Having Concerns His ‘Due Process May Have Been Violated’

Sherrone Moore could have charges dropped if judge finds out his due process was violated. Court hearing scheduled for March 2 …
TikTok Trad Wife Nara Smith's Goes Viral Again -- This Time For Issues With Her House

TikTok Trad Wife Nara Smith’s Goes Viral Again — This Time For Issues With Her House

The East Coast winter storm has TikTok influencer Nara Smith doing a major renovation project on her home …
Whoopi Goldberg Clears Up Epstein Files Confusion

Whoopi Goldberg Clears Up Epstein Files Confusion

Whoopi Goldberg isn’t here for any potential links between her and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. And now she’s providing some much needed clarity! …
How <i>Not</i> To End Up Like Cardi B, Halle Berry or J. Lo: Unlucky in Love Because of Bad Decisions

How Not To End Up Like Cardi B, Halle Berry or J. Lo: Unlucky in Love Because of Bad Decisions

If you want to be happy in love but don’t know how to get there, pull up a chair. It’s time we had a talk …
Kansas State Fires Basketball Coach Over Publicly Trashing His Own Team, But That's Not All

Kansas State Fires Basketball Coach Over Publicly Trashing His Own Team, But That’s Not All

After a blistering criticism of his basketball team, Kansas State has fired basketball head coach, Jerome Tang, for “just cause.” …
CNN's Abby Phillip On Jesse Jackson's Political Legacy

CNN’s Abby Phillip On Jesse Jackson’s Political Legacy

The Root spoke exclusively with CNN’s Abby Phillip about what we can learn from the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s multicultural political movement …
Former Obama Staffers Reveal How Profoundly Trump Blindsided Them in 2016

Former Obama Staffers Reveal How Profoundly Trump Blindsided Them in 2016

Obama and his staff had a perception about Trump leading up to the 2016 presidential election that …
NBA Legend Chris Paul's 5 Dirtiest On-Court Moves

NBA Legend Chris Paul’s 5 Dirtiest On-Court Moves

Retiring after 21 years in the NBA, Chris Paul was widely regarded as one of the dirtiest players in the league …
What NYT Journalists Are Finding in The Epstein Files

What NYT Journalists Are Finding in The Epstein Files

The New York Times staff is poring through millions of pages of documents in the Epstein files. Now four NYT journalists are revealing what they know so far …
'We Were All Rooting For You' ANTM Model Speaks Out!

‘We Were All Rooting For You’ ANTM Model Speaks Out!

‘ANTM’ contestants are breaking their silence after the release of Netflix’s new documentary. Let’s take a look at what they have to say! …
Trump Locks Horns With Maryland Gov. Wes Moore Over This Scary Environmental Disaster

Trump Locks Horns With Maryland Gov. Wes Moore Over This Scary Environmental Disaster

After more than 240 million gallons of sewage spilled into the Potomac River, President Trump is calling out Gov. Wes Moore …
Why Lil Durk's Music Will Play a Huge Role in His Murder-for-Hire Case

Why Lil Durk’s Music Will Play a Huge Role in His Murder-for-Hire Case

A federal judge has just issued his complicated ruling over song lyrics and Instagram DMs connected to Lil Durk’s upcoming trial …
Clifton Powell Crashes Out When Challenged To Be More Accountable To Black Women, Black Twitter Responds

Clifton Powell Crashes Out When Challenged To Be More Accountable To Black Women, Black Twitter Responds

Powell was a part of a round table discussion titled “Black Men Trust Black Women.” …
Exclusive: Raphael Saadiq Opens Up About Being With D'Angelo Days Before His Passing

Exclusive: Raphael Saadiq Opens Up About Being With D’Angelo Days Before His Passing

Oscar-nominee and legendary singer Raphael Saadiq sat down with The Root where he reflected on his deep friendship with the late D’Angelo …
Why Tyra Banks Was Always the <i>Real</i> Problem on 'ANTM'

Why Tyra Banks Was Always the Real Problem on ‘ANTM’

Thanks to Netflix’s new documentary, Tyra Banks’ time as host and producer of ‘America’s Next Top Model’ is getting looked at with fervent scrutiny! Let’s break down why …
Celebs Pay Tribute to The Rev. Jesse Jackson

Celebs Pay Tribute to The Rev. Jesse Jackson

After the shocking news of Rev. Jesse Jackson’s passing, celebrities are sending their condolences to the Jackson family …
Photo: Getty Images Michael DeMocker

Black Mardi Gras Facts They Don’t Teach You in School

The annual Mardi Gras celebration has greater ties to Black history and culture than what meets the eye …