Wayne Barrow wins legal battle over Notorious B.I.G. music catalog

A Delaware judge has ruled in favor of Wayne Barrow, the former manager of The Notorious B.I.G., in a legal dispute over the late rapper’s music catalog and intellectual property. The ruling requires Faith Evans, the rapper’s widow, to grant Barrow access to the profits from a landmark deal with Primary Wave.

The decision stems from the estate of Voletta Wallace, Biggie’s mother, who passed away in February 2025. Before her death, Wallace named Barrow as the successor to her 50% stake in the business entity Notorious B.I.G. LLC. This stake includes a 25% share of the profits from the Primary Wave deal, which is valued at approximately $100 million.

Evans had previously contested the transfer, arguing that the company’s bylaws did not permit such a move without her consent. However, Delaware Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick determined that the trustee was entitled to all rights and obligations held by Wallace under the operating agreement.

According to the terms of Wallace’s will, Barrow will distribute her share of the Primary Wave proceeds to the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation. The remaining proceeds from the deal are to be split among Evans and Biggie’s two children, CJ and Ty’anna Wallace. A separate lawsuit filed by CJ Wallace in Pennsylvania, which challenges Barrow’s authority as executor, remains pending.