Wayne Barrow wins legal battle over Notorious B.I.G. estate

A Delaware Chancery Court judge has ruled in favor of producer Wayne Barrow in a legal battle over the musical legacy of the rapper Notorious B.I.G.

Judge Kathaleen St. J. McCormick ruled that a trust controlled by Barrow, which holds assets from the rapper's late mother, Voletta Wallace, is a legitimate member of the LLC that co-owns the music catalog and likeness rights. This decision prevents Faith Evans, the rapper's widow, from excluding Barrow and the Wallace estate from the proceeds of a deal with Primary Wave Music, which was reportedly valued at approximately $100 million.

The dispute intensified following Primary Wave's acquisition of a 50% stake in the catalog in February 2025. Barrow alleged that Evans had seized control of the business and refused to distribute the Wallace trust's share of the proceeds. Evans had requested that the Delaware proceedings be paused pending a separate will challenge in Pennsylvania involving the rapper's children, but the judge rejected this, stating the two cases involve independent legal issues.