Voletta Wallace, Guardian of Biggie Smalls’ Legacy, Dies at 78

Photo Courtesy Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation

Voletta Wallace, the mother of rap icon The Notorious B.I.G. and a tireless advocate for her son’s legacy, has died at 78.

The Monroe County Coroner's Office confirmed her death in a press release Friday, stating that Wallace died of natural causes while in hospice care at her home in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.

Born in Jamaica, Wallace was a preschool teacher who raised her only child, Christopher Wallace — later known as Biggie Smalls or The Notorious B.I.G. — in Brooklyn, New York. After her son was murdered in a 1997 drive-by shooting at age 24, she dedicated her life to keeping his memory alive, launching the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation to promote community empowerment through arts and education.

Despite decades of speculation, the shooting deaths of Biggie Smalls and his former rap rival, Tupac Shakur — who was killed in 1996 — remain unsolved. In the years following her son’s death, Wallace was vocal about seeking justice, at times openly criticizing the investigation into his killing.

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Her strength and grace were on full display at the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards when she publicly embraced Afeni Shakur, Tupac’s mother, in a moment of unity that transcended the bitter East Coast–West Coast rap rivalry that defined much of the 1990s. The two mothers, introduced on stage by actor and rapper Will Smith, stood together in a powerful image of healing and solidarity.

Wallace remained active in her son’s legacy, working as a producer on "Notorious," the 2009 biopic about Biggie’s life, where she was portrayed by Oscar-nominated actress Angela Bassett. The film was executive-produced by Sean “Diddy” Combs, Biggie’s longtime collaborator and the founder of Bad Boy Records, the label that launched his career.

In recent years, Wallace made headlines when she spoke out against Combs, particularly after video footage surfaced in 2024 showing him assaulting his former girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura, in a Los Angeles hotel. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Wallace condemned Combs, saying she wanted to “slap the daylights” out of him for his actions.

Beyond her public persona, Wallace was a self-described “avid gardener,” frequently sharing photos of her flowers on Instagram. In 2020, following Biggie’s posthumous induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, she reflected on his enduring influence.

"Today, I'm feeling great," she told Billboard at the time. "As a mother, I'm extremely proud of his accomplishments. You know, I still see such a young man at a young age, and sadly, he's not here to witness all this. But it's an astute honor, and as a mother, I'm just elated for that."

"Many of [Biggie's songs] speak truth," she continued. "It might be gritty, and maybe the language is so out there, but he was honest. There was nothing fake about what he was doing. I think for such a young man to resonate such honesty in his lyrics is awesome."

Jerry Butler, Soul Legend Behind ‘For Your Precious Love,’ Dies in Chicago

Courtesy Photo: Stax Records

Jerry Butler, the smooth-voiced baritone whose blend of gospel roots, Chicago rhythms, and heartfelt soul earned him the nickname "Iceman," died Thursday night at his home in Chicago. He was 84.

His assistant, Marty, whom Butler called his “niece at heart,” confirmed his passing to TMZ, citing natural causes. Butler had been battling Parkinson’s disease.

Born in Sunflower, Mississippi, in 1939, Butler moved with his family to Chicago’s Cabrini-Green housing complex at the age of three. Raised in a deeply religious household, he was discouraged from listening to blues, but his love for music flourished through church choirs and television’s "Hit Parade." He learned to write songs by studying sheet music from Hit Parade magazine, setting the foundation for a career that would shape soul music.

Butler’s life changed in 1953 when he joined the Northern Jubilee Singers, a gospel group led by Rev. Annabelle Mayfield. There, he met her grandson, a young man with a soaring tenor voice named Curtis Mayfield. The two went on to form The Impressions, whose music would later become the soundtrack of the civil rights movement.

As the group’s lead singer, Butler helped propel their first hit, For Your Precious Love, in 1958. Rolling Stone ranked the song No. 335 on its "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list, and it remains a cornerstone of doo-wop and early soul. The Impressions' music traversed changing times and social movements, earning them a spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.

Shortly after the release of For Your Precious Love, Butler embarked on a solo career, but early success eluded him. That changed when he reunited with Mayfield to craft "He Will Break Your Heart," a 1960 hit that re-established Butler as a formidable solo artist. He continued to record throughout the 1960s, eventually teaming up with songwriter-producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, who pioneered the "Philly sound." Together, they produced classics such as "Never Gonna Give You Up," "Hey Western Union Man," and "Only the Strong Survive." The latter, a testament to resilience, was inspired by advice Butler's mother gave him after a teenage heartbreak.

His influence extended beyond his own recordings. "I’ve Been Loving You Too Long," a song he co-wrote with Otis Redding, became a standard covered by Aretha Franklin, the Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, and others. Method Man, Missy Elliott, The Game, and Snoop Dogg later sampled Butler’s music, ensuring his legacy endured across generations.

Though music was his first calling, Butler pivoted to public service in the 1980s. With support from Chicago Mayor Harold Washington, he was elected to the Cook County Board of Commissioners in 1985. During his 32-year tenure, he chaired the Health and Hospitals Committee and served as vice chair of the Construction Committee. He also advocated for artists’ rights, working to secure royalties and benefits for musicians.

Outside of politics, Butler remained an enduring presence in entertainment. He hosted PBS specials on doo-wop and R&B history, appeared in the 1972 film "The Thing with Two Heads," and even starred in a 1980s McDonald’s commercial for the McD.L.T., crooning about “cool” lettuce and tomato opposite Aretha Franklin.

Butler’s wife, Annette, whom he married in 1959, died in 2019. He is survived by their sons, Anthony and Randy, four grandchildren, and a great-grandchild.

Beyoncé Expands Cécred to Ulta Beauty in Record-Breaking Retail Move

Courtesy Photo: Cécred

Beyoncé is making power moves once again — this time in the beauty industry. Her hair care brand, Cécred, is set to launch in over 1,400 Ulta Beauty stores nationwide and online starting April 6, marking the largest exclusive hair care rollout in the retailer’s history.

The partnership between Cécred and Ulta Beauty expands access to the Grammy-winning artist’s "science-backed and ritual-inspired" hair care products, which debuted just a year ago. Until now, Cécred has been available only through its direct-to-consumer website.

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Beyoncé took to Instagram on Wednesday to share the news with her 312 million followers, posting a video where she delivers her iconic “World stop... carry on” line from Nicki Minaj’s 2014 hit “Feeling Myself.” Dressed in a sleek, thigh-slit white gown, she teased the expansion while sitting in front of a mirror as her hair blew in the wind.

Since its February 2024 launch, Cécred has gained a dedicated following. The collection includes the bestselling Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner, the Fermented Rice & Rose Protein Ritual, and the Restoring Hair & Edge Drops — products the brand position as designed to strengthen and nourish all hair types.

“Cécred is rooted in the deep connection we share with hair across generations,” the brand states on its website. “Blending patent-pending technology with ancient wisdom, our formulas are designed to promote healthier, stronger, and more resilient hair.”

Ulta Beauty’s nationwide footprint and full-service in-store salons make it a strategic partner for Cécred, allowing customers to not only shop the brand’s full range but also experience it through exclusive salon services. The rollout will include prominent in-store branding, interactive displays featuring Cécred’s sleek, patent-pending bottles, and a first-of-its-kind salon integration.

The move signals a major moment for Cécred, solidifying its place in the competitive hair care industry while reinforcing Beyoncé’s influence beyond music. With its expansion into Ulta Beauty, the brand is now more accessible than ever — offering fans and beauty lovers alike the opportunity to bring a touch of Queen Bey’s hair care routine into their own homes.