Christopher Wallace, better known as Biggie Smalls or The Notorious B.I.G., was a legend in the world of hip-hop.
His career was legendary, rising from the streets of Brooklyn to become one of the most influential figures in rap history.
But Biggie’s life was tragically cut short when he was attacked in Los Angeles on March 9, 1997, at the age of just 24.
Biggie Smalls’ Kids Carry His Legacy
His tragic passing left behind two children who would grow up without the father they barely had the chance to know.
Biggie’s legacy has lived on, both in his music and in the lives of his children.
His son, Christopher “CJ” Wallace Jr., and his daughter, T’yanna Wallace, have both found ways to carry on their father’s name and influence.
Their paths have been shaped by the heartbreaking loss of their father.
Who Is Biggie Smalls’ Daughter?
His daughter T’yanna was born on August 8, 1993, to Biggie and his high school sweetheart, Jan Jackson.
But by the time T’yanna was born, Biggie and Jan had already separated.
Despite this, Biggie’s commitment to providing for his daughter never faltered.
His love for her was put on record in his 1994 hit Juicy, where he rapped about his efforts to feed his daughter while hustling in the streets.
In the music video for Juicy, T’yanna even made a brief appearance as a baby.
How Biggie’s Daughter T’yanna is Honoring Her Father
But T’yanna’s life was forever changed by Biggie’s passing.
When she was just three years old, Biggie’s life was taken in a senseless act of violence that remains unsolved to this day.
Growing up without him was no easy task, but T’yanna has made the most of the opportunities presented to her.
T’yanna is now in her early thirties and has established herself as a successful businesswoman.
She is the proud owner of Notoriouss, a clothing boutique in Brooklyn, New York.
The store is named after her father’s famous moniker and serves as a tribute to his legacy in hip-hop fashion.
In interviews, T’yanna has explained how she’s always had a passion for fashion and wanted to build something meaningful that would honor her father.
T’yanna’s journey toward entrepreneurship began during her time at Penn State University, where she studied business.
She was determined to carve her own path, separate from the music industry her father had dominated.
After graduating in 2015, T’yanna launched her clothing line.
It’s a way for her to keep Biggie’s name alive while also building her own identity.
She’s created a brand that speaks to her father’s influence on fashion, especially in hip-hop culture.
T’yanna Opened The Biggie Museum
In addition to her boutique, T’yanna also opened The Biggie Museum in Brooklyn in March 2024.
This museum offers fans an intimate look at her father’s life and legacy.
The museum’s opening event was a celebration of Biggie’s impact on hip-hop, and T’yanna was front and center in keeping his memory alive.
She has also shared that she has two children, Thailah and Skylar, further continuing the family legacy.
T’yanna’s life is a testament to resilience.
Despite losing her father at such a young age, she has built a successful business and has kept Biggie’s memory alive through her entrepreneurial ventures.
Who Is Biggie Smalls’ Son?
CJ, Biggie’s only son, was born on October 29, 1996, to Biggie and his wife, R&B singer Faith Evans.
His arrival came just five months before his father’s tragic passing.
CJ didn’t have much time with Biggie at all.
But he has spent his life learning about his father’s legacy and striving to honor it in his own way.
Growing up without a father was obviously hugely difficult for CJ.
Christopher ‘CJ’ Wallace Jr.’s Acting Career
However, he has found a unique way to connect with his father’s memory.
One of the most important moments in his career came in 2009 when he portrayed a young version of his dad in the biopic Notorious.
While CJ initially wasn’t keen on taking on the role, he later realized that it offered him an opportunity to understand his father’s life in a deeper way.
Since then, CJ has expanded his career.
He has appeared in a string of TV shows and movies, including MTV’s Scream and the 2019 movie Like Blood.
But acting isn’t his only passion.
Biggie Smalls’ Son ‘CJ’ Opened Business Named After Father’s Alias
CJ has also ventured into the business world, focusing on social causes that are close to his heart.
In 2022, he launched a CBD brand called Frank White, named after one of Biggie’s famous aliases.
CJ has been very vocal about using his platform to support causes that align with his father’s values.
He has said that part of his motivation for starting Frank White was to create a business that honored his father’s impact while also making a positive difference in society.
CJ has also become involved with Think BIG, an initiative that advocates for equitable green substance laws and works toward creating social change.
How Biggie Smalls’ Life Helped to Unite Others
Even though he’s no longer with us, the love Biggie inspired in people has helped bring some unlikely figures together.
His most well-known ex, Lil Kim, referred to Biggie’s baby mama Faith as a sister during the 2019 unveiling of a mural dedicated to Biggie.
They even collaborated on a song in 2017.
Lovin You For Life was a song Faith and Lil Kim made for Faith’s album The King & I.
This was an album she made posthumously with recordings of Biggie’s verses.
And honestly, it’s pretty amazing to see that there is absolutely no bad blood between the two women.
Even with such a complicated shared history, they’ve always been able to show each other respect and affection.
Lil Kim was even able to acknowledge her love for Biggie’s children.
She declared that T’yanna and CJ had her heart.
Lil Kim’s Secret Pregnancy With Biggie Smalls
Considering how in love with Biggie Lil Kim was back in the day, it says a lot that she’s able to feel so much compassion for the other people that were in his life.
In 1996, Lil Kim was recording her first album, Hard Core, with the help of Biggie.
During this time, she became pregnant with his child.
Lil Kim kept this a secret until 1999, when she opened up about it in an interview with The Source.
It’s unknown if Biggie even knew about the pregnancy, since Lil Kim felt like she had to make a really hard decision.
She chose to terminate the pregnancy.
It was a while before she shared her reasons why.
And what she said was incredible to hear.
She said that she already knew at the time that with the kind of relationship she had with Biggie, there was no room for a child.
Which might kind of explain why she has so much love for Biggie’s kids that he had with other women.
How Much Is Biggie Smalls’ Estate Worth?
The financial legacy the kids’ father left behind was also unbelievable.
His estate is now worth an estimated $160 million.
This wealth has allowed his children to live comfortably, and they have used this opportunity to carve out their own paths in life.
Both T’yanna and CJ are very aware of the importance of their father’s work.
They have dedicated themselves to continuing his legacy in their own particular ways.
And through their work, Biggie’s spirit will continue to inspire and shape the world for years to come.