Wayne Barrow, the former manager of rap icon The Notorious B.I.G., has achieved a significant legal victory in a dispute with the rapper’s widow, Faith Evans. A judge in Delaware ruled in Barrow’s favour regarding the management of the late rapper’s intellectual property and the control of his trust, established by his mother, Voletta Wallace, prior to her death in 2025.
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The dispute arose after Barrow was appointed as the sole trustee of the trust by Voletta Wallace. This appointment came after she amended her original plan, which had named Evans’ son, C.J., as the successor trustee. Barrow claims that he has faced resistance from Evans, who allegedly sought to impede his access to the trust’s rights and responsibilities.
In a judgment published on 7 August, the court addressed the complexities of the situation, citing the sentiments expressed in one of The Notorious B.I.G.’s famous tracks, “Ten Crack Commandments.” The court noted the irony of Voletta Wallace and Evans’s approach to managing the rapper’s legacy, stating that they had not adhered to the principles outlined by Wallace himself. The formation of Notorious B.I.G., LLC, which holds the rights to the star’s intellectual property, took place under Delaware law shortly after his death.
The company was created in 2007 as a joint venture between Evans and Voletta Wallace, who inadvertently set the stage for this legal conflict. Upon Voletta’s passing, the trust she established took over her interests in the company, positioning Evans in the role of sole manager. The company later entered a lucrative partnership with Primary Wave in March 2025, which added further complications to the ownership stakes involved.
Barrow contended that when he sought to exercise the trust’s rights to the company, he encountered barriers from Evans, described in the judgement as “presumably angered” at being bypassed in favour of Barrow. Following a legal battle that began with Barrow’s court filing against Evans in July 2025, the court ruled that he had the right to manage these intellectual properties, dismissing a counterclaim made by Evans.
Barrow’s attorney expressed satisfaction with the judgement, describing it as a comprehensive win for Barrow, and emphasising his historical connection to Voletta Wallace and the family. “Wayne is feeling vindicated,” the lawyer stated, adding that he is keen to honour the wishes of the late Voletta Wallace regarding the preservation of her son’s legacy.
The court’s decision emerged amid ongoing legal strife, as C.J. Wallace has also launched a separate lawsuit claiming that his grandmother was “improperly influenced” by Barrow into naming him as trustee of the estate. This ongoing litigation underlines the complexities within the family dynamics and the implications for the management of The Notorious B.I.G.’s estate.
Christopher Wallace, known professionally as The Notorious B.I.G., was married to Faith Evans from 1994 until his untimely death in 1997, though their relationship was reportedly strained at the time. They had a son together, C.J., who is now 29 years old. Additionally, the couple’s daughter, Ty’anna, aged 33, also has a stake in her father’s estate, with both siblings entitled to a share of the company’s distributions.
As this legal showdown continues to unfold, it raises questions about the legacy of The Notorious B.I.G. and the management of his estate. Barrow’s recent court victory marks a pivotal moment in determining the future of the iconic rapper’s intellectual property and underscores the lasting impact of family and business entanglements in the world of entertainment. With the judgement in hand, Barrow is poised to take on the crucial task of upholding the legacy of a significant figure in hip-hop history.