PHOTO: Getty Images

Noir Nation, it’s getting messy behind the scenes of Biggie’s legacy. 👀 The estate of Voletta Wallace, mother of the late Notorious B.I.G., has officially filed a lawsuit against Faith Evans, accusing the R&B icon of refusing to share profits from the sale of B.I.G.’s image and name rights.

According to court documents, the estate alleges that Evans—who was married to Biggie from 1994 until his tragic death in 1997—has violated a longstanding agreement by withholding her share of revenue from joint business dealings tied to Biggie’s name, likeness, and brand.

🧾 WHAT THE LAWSUIT SAYS:

The estate claims that Evans is “wrongfully retaining profits” from the sale and licensing of Biggie’s rights, which they say should be split between both parties. The paperwork suggests that while Evans continues to benefit from her affiliation with Big, she hasn’t held up her end of the financial bargain when it comes to recent deals.

The lawsuit reportedly seeks a full accounting of profits, along with a judge’s order demanding Evans pay what the estate believes it’s owed.

🗣️ FANS WEIGH IN

Online reactions have been split. Some fans say Faith has every right to the money as Biggie’s widow and the mother of his child. Others argue that Ms. Wallace has always been the gatekeeper of her son’s legacy and that any financial moves should go through the estate.

“Biggie’s name belongs to his mama, not Hollywood,” one user posted on X.

“Faith Evans gave us ‘I’ll Be Missing You’ and kept Biggie’s name alive for decades,” another argued.

🔍 WHAT’S AT STAKE?

This lawsuit doesn’t just involve money—it could affect future documentaries, albums, merch, and licensing deals tied to the Notorious B.I.G. brand. With hip hop estates becoming multimillion-dollar businesses, who controls the legacy—and who profits from it—matters more than ever.

🕊️ A LEGEND’S LEGACY IN LIMBO

Biggie’s posthumous influence remains massive—from murals in Brooklyn to induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. But legal battles like this highlight the complexity of preserving a legacy when family, business, and grief collide.

Neither Faith Evans nor the Wallace estate has issued a public statement at the time of this writing.