Biggie Smalls Kids: How T'yanna & C.J. Wallace Honor Their Father's Legacy
Ever wondered what happened to Biggie Smalls' kids after the tragic loss of the rap legend? The world watched The Notorious B.I.G. rise to iconic status, but his sudden murder in 1997 left two very young children to grow up without their father. Today, T'yanna Wallace and C.J. Wallace are not just remembering their dad—they are actively building their own successful lives while carefully curating and expanding his immense legacy. This is the complete story of Biggie Smalls' children, exploring their journeys, their businesses, their art, and how they ensure the "King of New York" is remembered by new generations.
The Children of a Rap Legend: An Overview
When Christopher Wallace, known to the world as The Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie Smalls, was gunned down on March 9, 1997, he left behind a musical empire and two children who would inherit his name and his complicated history. The facts about how many children slain rapper Biggie Smalls has are clear: he fathered two children, a daughter and a son, each born to different mothers. This family structure, while common, added layers of complexity to their upbringing under the intense spotlight of their father's posthumous fame.
- T'yanna Wallace: Born on August 28, 1991, to Biggie's high school sweetheart, Jan Jackson. She was about five years old when her father died.
- Christopher George "C.J." Wallace Jr.: Born on October 29, 1996, to Biggie's wife, the singer and actress Faith Evans. He was just an infant, barely four months old, when he lost his father.
Both children have navigated the profound challenge of growing up as the offspring of a hip-hop martyr. Their paths have diverged significantly, yet they are united in a common purpose: to honor Christopher Wallace not as a myth, but as a father, and to leverage his cultural capital for their own meaningful ventures. Here’s everything to know about the Notorious B.I.G.’s two kids and the powerful ways they are shaping their own narratives.
A Table: The Notorious B.I.G. – Essential Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Stage Names | The Notorious B.I.G., Biggie Smalls, Big Poppa |
| Birth Name | Christopher George Latore Wallace |
| Born | May 21, 1972, in Brooklyn, New York City |
| Died | March 9, 1997 (age 24), in Los Angeles, California |
| Key Relationship | Married to Faith Evans (1994–1997); previously partnered with Jan Jackson |
| Children | T'yanna Wallace (daughter), C.J. Wallace (son) |
| Musical Legacy | Released two seminal albums: Ready to Die (1994) and Life After Death (1997). Often cited as one of the greatest rappers of all time, pivotal in the East Coast hip-hop revival. |
| Cultural Impact | Known for his vivid storytelling, smooth flow, and larger-than-life persona. His death remains a pivotal, unsolved moment in music history, intensifying the East Coast-West Coast rivalry. |
T'yanna Wallace: Building an Empire with Heart and Heritage
T'yanna Wallace, Biggie's eldest child, has emerged as a formidable businesswoman in her own right. While she carries the Wallace name, she has consciously built a brand identity that is distinctly hers, though deeply inspired by her father's entrepreneurial spirit. Her journey is one of turning legacy into livelihood with grace and grit.
Entrepreneurship: From Fashion to Cannabis
T'yanna's primary ventures showcase a modern, multifaceted approach to business. She first gained attention with her clothing line, "Notorious", which features designs that pay homage to her father's iconic imagery and lyrics without simply exploiting them. The line includes apparel for all ages, including pieces like a classic short-sleeve shirt in size 4T made for unisex babies and toddlers—a touching nod to the next generation of fans and a symbolic inclusion of her own family.
Building on this success, T'yanna co-founded Cannabliss, a cannabis company. This move is significant on multiple levels. It represents entry into a lucrative, growing industry, but it also connects to a deeper, more personal layer. Biggie was famously open about his marijuana use in his music, and the cannabis industry today is about wellness and ownership—areas where Black entrepreneurs, especially women, have historically faced barriers. By succeeding here, T'yanna is not only creating wealth but also carving a space for herself in a new economy, a powerful form of legacy-building that her father, who spoke of financial independence in tracks like "Notorious Thugs," would likely appreciate.
Personal Life: Strength as a Mother
Beyond the boardroom, T'yanna is a devoted mother. This role is central to her identity and directly influences her business choices, like the toddler clothing line. Her ability to balance motherhood with entrepreneurship adds a relatable, human dimension to her public persona. She often shares moments with her own children, subtly showing how she protects their privacy while allowing them to understand their grandfather's legacy on their own terms. This maternal strength is a key part of how T'yanna Wallace honors her father's legacy—by fostering a stable, loving family environment, something she and her brother were denied too early.
C.J. Wallace: Stepping into the Spotlight with Purpose
Christopher "C.J." Wallace Jr. took a different, though equally public, path. Following in his father's footsteps literally, he portrayed a younger version of Christopher Wallace in the 2009 biopic Notorious. This role was not just an acting job; it was a profound, personal pilgrimage. At just 12 years old, he had to embody the essence of the father he barely knew, a task that required immense emotional maturity and brought him closer to his father's story in an intimate way.
Acting and Producing: Crafting a Creative Career
Since that groundbreaking role, C.J. has steadily built an acting career. He has appeared in television series like "Power" and its spin-offs, proving his talent extends beyond the shadow of his father's biopic. His work as a producer signifies a desire to have control behind the scenes, shaping stories rather than just performing in them. This evolution from actor to producer mirrors a common trajectory for those seeking lasting creative influence.
C.J.'s artistic choices often reflect a conscious effort to honor his father's legacy through acting while establishing his own merit. He doesn't shy away from his lineage, but he also doesn't let it define him entirely. He is selective, choosing projects that resonate with him and often allow him to explore complex characters and narratives, much like his father's own intricate storytelling in songs like "Suicidal Thoughts" or "Things Done Changed."
Activism and Public Advocacy
C.J. has also become a vocal advocate, particularly around issues of social justice and the preservation of hip-hop history. He has participated in events like "The Biggie Experience", an immersive exhibition celebrating his father's life and work, where he and his sister T'yanna Wallace and C.J. Wallace were seen attending together, a rare public appearance that underscored their united front. His platform is used to speak on topics like gun violence prevention—a deeply personal cause given the circumstances of his father's death—and the importance of voting and civic engagement. This activism transforms his family's tragedy into a catalyst for broader conversation, a powerful way to keep Biggie's voice relevant on contemporary issues.
Navigating Fame, Family, and a Complicated Legacy
Growing up as the child of The Notorious B.I.G. was a unique challenge. Both T'yanna and C.J. had to reconcile the public's adoration for a rap icon with the private reality of a missing father. Their different mothers, Jan Jackson and Faith Evans, provided separate but supportive homes, shielding them from some of the industry's worst excesses while ensuring they knew their father's love through stories, music, and artifacts.
A common question fans have is about the dynamics between the half-siblings. Publicly, they present a united and supportive relationship. Their joint appearances at events like the Biggie Experience demonstrate a shared commitment to their father's memory. They understand that together, they represent the complete familial side of Biggie's life, and their collaboration strengthens their ability to control the narrative around his legacy.
Their approach to their father's music is also nuanced. They don't just see "Juicy" or "Hypnotize" as timeless hits; they are lullabies, memories, and complicated cultural artifacts. They have been instrumental in curating posthumous releases and ensuring that their father's image is used respectfully. This careful stewardship is crucial in an era where Biggie Smalls lyrics, Biggie Small's blunt passing back to design imagery can be commodified without context. They act as the gatekeepers of authenticity.
The Biggie Experience: Curating Legacy for New Generations
Events like "The Biggie Experience" are where the Wallace children's roles as legacy curators become most visible. These exhibitions are not just museums of memorabilia; they are narrative journeys that tell Biggie's story with depth, context, and heart. T'yanna and C.J.'s involvement ensures the presentation is authentic and multi-dimensional, highlighting the man behind the music—the father, the son, the Brooklyn native.
This is a critical evolution in legacy management. It moves beyond passive consumption (listening to records) to active education and immersion. For kids dancing to Biggie from people around the world—a phenomenon seen in countless social media videos—these experiences provide the "why" behind the "what." They learn about the struggles, the humor, the ambition, and the community that shaped the lyrics. The children are ensuring that Biggie Smalls' kids today (the fans) understand the full scope of the artist they admire.
Addressing the "What Ifs" and Continuing the Conversation
The Wallace siblings inevitably face questions about the unsolved murder of their father. While they have not publicly demanded new investigations in recent years, their very existence and success serve as a quiet testament to a life cut short. Their focus on building, creating, and positive action is, in itself, a response to the violence that took him. They choose to celebrate life over dwelling on death.
Furthermore, they navigate the constant comparisons within hip-hop's pantheon. As one fan noted online, "Both are amazing, but I choose Biggie, I like him more because he was always consistent with his topics, usually gangsta and hard af"—a sentiment that reflects Biggie's enduring reputation for lyrical consistency. The siblings' work ensures that this reputation for quality is never separated from the human story behind it. They add layers of understanding to the "Big Poppa, Biggie lyrics" that new fans discover.
Conclusion: A Legacy Living Through Two Unique Paths
So, what are Biggie Smalls' kids doing today? The answer is beautifully complex. T'yanna Wallace is a successful businesswoman and mother, using entrepreneurship in fashion and cannabis to build wealth and identity on her own terms. C.J. Wallace is an actor and producer, using the screen to explore his artistry and a vocal advocate, using his platform for social change. Together, they are the living, breathing continuation of The Notorious B.I.G.'s story.
They have transformed the weight of a legendary name into a platform for their own achievements. They honor their father not by living in his shadow, but by stepping into their own light, guided by the values of ambition, authenticity, and resilience he embodied. The Notorious B.I.G.’s two kids prove that the greatest tribute to a legend is not just remembrance, but a vibrant, forward-moving life built upon the foundation they left behind. Their journey reminds us that legacies are not static monuments; they are living stories, rewritten and revitalized by each new generation that carries them forward.
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