The battle over The Notorious B.I.G.’s legacy just got real messy.
Wayne Barrow, a longtime business partner and trustee of the late Voletta Wallace’s estate, has filed a scathing lawsuit against singer Faith Evans, who also happens to be Biggie’s widow.
In the 25-page Delaware court complaint, Barrow claims Evans wrongfully took over control of Notorious B.I.G., LLC and is now withholding millions from the late rapper’s estate.
Before her death, Biggie’s mother Voletta Wallace managed the LLC that handles Biggie’s name, image, and music rights. She passed that 50% ownership to her trust in 2020, naming Barrow as trustee and giving him the legal right to manage the estate and receive all distributions.
But after Wallace passed away in early 2025, Faith Evans allegedly ignored that setup.
According to the lawsuit, Evans, who was previously only a passive member, became the sole manager and started running things solo. Barrow claims she’s refused to release over $100 million in proceeds from a major music publishing deal and hasn’t allowed him access to financial records or even the deal paperwork.
Even though both parties signed documents confirming Barrow and the Trust’s role in the LLC, Evans has allegedly backpedaled, asking for repeated “verification” and stonewalling Barrow’s demands. She’s also reportedly shut down efforts to appoint a successor manager, Barrow himself, even though the LLC’s rules allow it.
Barrow’s now asking the court to officially declare that the Trust owns 50% of the LLC, order Evans to hand over the money and company books, and enforce a “deadlock resolution” to get her removed as manager. His filing also makes it clear: he believes Evans is out of her depth and could do lasting damage to Biggie’s brand.
It’s a legal showdown with legacy on the line. And with Biggie’s name still making money and headlines nearly three decades after his passing, the outcome could reshape how one of hip-hop’s most valuable estates is managed for years to come.
