Wayne Barrow has scored a significant court ruling in the ongoing dispute over proceeds connected to The Notorious B.I.G.’s music catalog.
A Delaware Chancery Court judge ruled that Barrow, the sole trustee of late rapper Biggie Smalls’ mother Voletta Wallace’s trust, is entitled to receive her share of distributions from Notorious B.I.G. LLC.
The ruling rejected R&B singer Faith Evans’ challenge to those payments and gives Barrow control over the distributions that Wallace was entitled to receive under the company’s agreement.
The decision does not end every legal dispute surrounding Biggie’s estate, however. A separate lawsuit involving Wallace’s grandson, CJ Wallace, remains pending.
And that case could keep the battle over Biggie’s legacy in court.
Chancellor Kathaleen St. J. McCormick ruled that Barrow is entitled to receive Voletta Wallace’s share of distributions from Notorious B.I.G. LLC, the company connected to Biggie’s music catalog and intellectual property.
The decision came after Evans challenged payments owed to the trust created by Biggie’s mother.
Voletta Wallace died at age 78 in February 2025. Before her death, she and Evans had co-owned Notorious B.I.G. LLC.
The company later entered into a 50-50 partnership with Primary Wave in March 2025, in a transaction that reportedly valued Biggie’s personal estate at approximately $200 million.
Under the company’s agreement, Wallace and Evans each transferred half of their distribution rights to Biggie’s children, Ty’anna Wallace and Christopher Jordan “CJ” Wallace.
That arrangement ultimately left each with a 25% share.
The dispute arose after Evans declined to distribute Wallace’s share to the trust.
According to McCormick’s ruling, Evans appeared to object to a decision by Wallace to amend her trust shortly before her death.
The amendment removed CJ, Evans’ son with Biggie, as a co-trustee.
McCormick rejected the argument that the company agreement prevented Wallace from transferring her membership interests to the trust.
After reviewing the agreement, the judge found Barrow entitled to “any and all rights and obligations held by Ms. Wallace under the [company] agreement.”
That means Barrow, acting as trustee, can receive Wallace’s share of distributions from the company.
Barrow’s attorney, Jay W. Freiberg, described the decision as “a total victory.”
“Wayne is feeling vindicated,” Freiberg told Rolling Stone, adding that Wallace wanted Barrow to protect Biggie’s legacy.
Representatives for Evans and CJ did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Delaware ruling, however, is not the end of the broader legal dispute.
Biggie Smalls, whose real name was Christopher Wallace, was one of hip-hop’s most influential artists before his death in 1997.
His music and intellectual property have continued generating significant commercial value decades after his death.
Voletta Wallace played a major role in managing and protecting her son’s legacy, including through her ownership interest in Notorious B.I.G. LLC.
Evans, who was married to Biggie and shares son CJ with him, was also involved in the company.
The March 2025 partnership with Primary Wave further highlighted the financial significance of Biggie’s catalog and estate.
The Delaware case focused specifically on whether Wallace’s interest could be transferred to her trust and whether Barrow, as trustee, could receive the corresponding distributions.
McCormick ultimately sided with Barrow on that question.
But another legal battle remains active in Pennsylvania.
CJ has alleged that Barrow improperly influenced Wallace before her death to appoint him as trustee and executor.
Barrow’s attorneys have disputed that case and declined to discuss its substance, saying CJ filed it to delay the Delaware litigation.
The ruling matters because Biggie’s catalog remains a valuable part of his enduring legacy.
The Delaware decision determines who is entitled to receive a particular stream of distributions connected to Wallace’s ownership interest in Notorious B.I.G. LLC.
It also clarifies the court’s interpretation of the company’s agreement and Wallace’s ability to transfer her interests to her trust.
For Barrow, the decision provides a major legal victory in the Delaware dispute.
For Biggie’s family, however, the larger questions surrounding control of Wallace’s estate remain unresolved because the separate Pennsylvania lawsuit is still pending.
That means the business of managing Biggie’s legacy is far from settled.
Biggie’s music continues to carry enormous cultural weight more than two decades after his death.
His mother spent years helping preserve that legacy, while his children remain connected to the estate and its business interests.
The current legal disputes show how complicated that responsibility can become when a celebrated artist’s catalog continues generating substantial value long after his death.
The Delaware ruling resolves one important question, but it also leaves the family dealing with another courtroom fight.
For now, Wayne Barrow has the Delaware court on his side in the dispute over Voletta Wallace’s share of Biggie Smalls’ catalog-related distributions.
But with a separate Pennsylvania lawsuit still pending, the fight over control of the late rapper’s legacy isn’t over yet.
