Voletta Wallace, the mother of the late rapper Notorious B.I.G. who worked to elevate his short-lived but influential career to hip-hop greatness, has died. She was 78. "We suffered a tremendous loss today.

Voletta Wallace, the dedicated mother of the late great rapper The Notorious B.I.G. and protector of his legacy, died Friday morning. She was 78. Monroe County Coroner Thomas Yanac confirmed her death Friday to The Associated Press,