Biggie Smalls, also known as “The Notorious B.I.G”, left an indelible mark on the world of music.
Tragically, his life was cut short in 1997, but his legacy lives on through his two kids, T’yanna Wallace and Christopher Jordan (C.J.) Wallace, who are dedicated to preserving his legacy in their own ways.
T’yanna Wallace: Biggie’s Firstborn
T’yanna Wallace, born on August 10, 1993, is Biggie’s daughter with his high school sweetheart, Jan Jackson.
Today, T’yanna has channeled her father’s legacy into the fashion world by creating her brand, Notoriouss Clothing.
In a recent interview with iHeart Radio, T’yanna shared her journey and passion for fashion
“I’ve always been into fashion, since high school… I went to Penn State. My major was business and then around my sophomore year I was like I really want to start a clothing line and I really want to do something dedicated and kinda inspired by my dad. So that’s how the name Notoriouss came out and that’s how I started doing my clothing line straight from college.”
After graduating from Penn State with a degree in business, T’yanna launched Notoriouss Clothing, featuring apparel emblazoned with images and quotes from her father. Her dedication to preserving Biggie’s memory continued with the opening of The Biggie Experience in 2024, offering a glimpse into the late rapper’s life.
With the support of her brother C.J., T’yanna is committed to ensuring that their father’s influence is remembered by future generations, including her own daughter.
“I have my daughter, and I want her to know how special her grandfather is. I want her to understand how influential he is. The train has to keep going because I want her to see how much he accomplished at such a young age,” T’yanna explained to Forbes. “I won’t stop continuing his legacy because I want my daughter to see that.”
C.J. Wallace: Following in His Father’s Footsteps
Born on October 29, 1996, C.J. Wallace is Biggie’s son with singer Faith Evans. Despite losing his father at just six months old, C.J. has always felt a strong connection to him.
In 2009, C.J. portrayed a young Biggie in the biopic Notorious, which ignited his passion for filmmaking and storytelling. Since then, he has been involved in various film and television projects, including the 2019 movie Like Blood.
C.J. also honors his father’s legacy through his lifestyle company, Frank White, and the Think BIG initiative, supports cannabis legalization and criminal justice reform.
“He had a global legacy,” C.J. told PEOPLE of his father in March 2022. “My dad reached across every corner of this world. I see the reaction that I get when people recognize me, and the DMs I get on Instagram and on Twitter show me that even people younger than me have been inspired by my dad. It’s crazy.”
