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
Walter Davis On Building a Black-Owned Bank From Zero to $2 billion

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

Some of the Wildest Recent News Events You Might've Missed

Some of the Wildest Recent News Events You Might’ve Missed

From Pam Bondi’s firing to Gucci Mane’s alleged kidnapping, these recent world events have certainly kept us on our toes! …
Eddie Murphy's Top Movies Ranked By the Box Office, In Honor of His 65th Birthday

Eddie Murphy’s Top Movies Ranked By the Box Office, In Honor of His 65th Birthday

Eddie Murphy is officially 65! In honor of his birthday, let’s take a look at his most successful films. You might be surprised at what made the cut! …
Dr. King's Favorite Pastime and More Little Known Facts on the Anniversary of His Murder

Dr. King’s Favorite Pastime and More Little Known Facts on the Anniversary of His Murder

Fifty-eight years after Dr. King was killed, let’s take a closer look at little known facts about the life and legacy of one of the most famous men in history …
Why Keke Palmer's Explanation Of a Shocking SXSW Proposal Is Something All Women Can Relate To

Why Keke Palmer’s Explanation Of a Shocking SXSW Proposal Is Something All Women Can Relate To

Keke Palmer is opening up about that shocking and scary impromptu proposal she received at SXSW. But her experience and explanation is sadly one that most women are familiar with …
Anti-Affirmative Action Groups are Now Coming for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Scholarships

Anti-Affirmative Action Groups are Now Coming for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Scholarships

An anti-affirmative action organization has filed a lawsuit against Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s scholarships aimed at helping disenfranchised Black students …
Michael Jackson's Legal History Ahead of the New Movie

Michael Jackson’s Legal History Ahead of the New Movie

Ahead of his biopic, we’re laying out a full timeline of the allegations and legal drama surrounding the King of Pop …
Why an Ex-Syracuse Basketball Player Chose Deportation to Sudan

Why an Ex-Syracuse Basketball Player Chose Deportation to Sudan

John Bol Ajak is headed back home to Sudan after spending more than a month in ICE custody …
Brandy Shares Where She Stands Now With Brother Ray J

Brandy Shares Where She Stands Now With Brother Ray J

There’s been a lot of chatter from Ray J in the past about where things stands with his sister Brandy. Now she’s sharing her side of the story …
How One Black Man’s Journey for a New Eye Color Turned Into a Medical Disaster That Has TikTok Users Shook

How One Black Man’s Journey for a New Eye Color Turned Into a Medical Disaster That Has TikTok Users Shook

Since hitting streaming services this year, a 2023 documentary following a man’s journey to change his eye color is going viral on TikTok and leaving everyone shook …
Is Medicaid, Childcare on the Chopping Block?

Is Medicaid, Childcare on the Chopping Block?

During a private Easter luncheon at the White House, Trump told guests it’s just “not possible” for the country to pay for Medicaid, Medicare and daycare …
Everything to Know About Pam Bondi, the Loyal Attorney General Trump Just Fired

Everything to Know About Pam Bondi, the Loyal Attorney General Trump Just Fired

Here’s everything to know about the life and career of former AG Pam Bondi who was just fired by President Trump …
Inside the Killing of a Rising Florida Vice Mayor— And The Husband Now Charged With Her Murder

Inside the Killing of a Rising Florida Vice Mayor— And The Husband Now Charged With Her Murder

Nancy Metayer Bowen was weeks away from announcing a Congress bid. Instead, a wellness check revealed a nightmare, and a husband charged with her murder …
Black America Rallies Behind Justice Kentanji Jackson as She Shreds Trump’s Birthright Challenge

Black America Rallies Behind Justice Kentanji Jackson as She Shreds Trump’s Birthright Challenge

Ketanji Brown Jackson stood out from several justices appearing to be skeptical of the president’s argument against the Citizenship Clause in the 14th Amendment …
In Resurfaced Video, Wanya Morris Speaks Relationship With 16-year-old Brandy

In Resurfaced Video, Wanya Morris Speaks Relationship With 16-year-old Brandy

Boyz II Men member Wanya Morris is back in the hot seat on social media for some resurfaced comments he made about his past relationship with Brandy Norwood. Let’s get into it! …
Black America Reacts to Shocking Gucci Mane Kidnapping

Black America Reacts to Shocking Gucci Mane Kidnapping

Rapper Gucci Mane faced the unthinkable after he was allegedly kidnapped and robbed. And now folks online can’t stop talking about it! …
Black America Reacts to Trump Firing Attorney General Pam Bondi

Black America Reacts to Trump Firing Attorney General Pam Bondi

Black Twitter is buzzing with comments about President Trump’s decision to fire Attorney General Pam Bondi …
New Study: DNA Testing Could Be the Key to Saving Black Women With Breast Cancer

New Study: DNA Testing Could Be the Key to Saving Black Women With Breast Cancer

Led by Dr. Sonya Reid, a Black physician, a new study shows how DNA-based tumor analysis can help close the survival gap for Black women with aggressive breast cancer …
Why the Internet is Obsessed With This Black Woman's Disability-Friendly Recipes That Don’t Require Stoves, Knives or Standing

Why the Internet is Obsessed With This Black Woman’s Disability-Friendly Recipes That Don’t Require Stoves, Knives or Standing

No standing. No cutting. No problem! Meet the Black content creator who creates disability-friendly recipes that’s taking the internet by storm …
WATCH: The Wild Moment a Woman Tries to Ram 2 Chainz Off the Road 

WATCH: The Wild Moment a Woman Tries to Ram 2 Chainz Off the Road 

Rapper 2 Chainz’s regular commute included a wild confrontation with a driver who tried ramming his car— and it was all caught on camera …
Meagan Good Finally Responds to Skin Bleaching Backlash

Meagan Good Finally Responds to Skin Bleaching Backlash

Meagan Good is finally clearing the air and addressing the criticisms she’s received over past skin bleaching claims …