Voletta Wallace (Biggie’s Mom) Interview With Essence

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by Lamar Tyler | on January 8th, 2009 | 13 comments

The mother of the late Notorius B.I.G. who’s story comes to the big screen soon recently did an interview with Essence where she touched on what to do when you see a side of a child you don’t like.

I saw a side of my son that I heard of but I haven’t accepted. I’m angered by certain things, disappointed and shocked.

You can check out the entire interview here on Essence.com.

Movie Trailer:

About the author

Lamar and Ronnie Tyler are the creators of the award-winning blog BlackandMarriedWithKids.com . They also are behind the Amazon.com bestselling DVDs Happily Ever After: A Positive Image of Black Marriage, You Saved Me and Men Ain’t Boys that explores manhood in the African American community. The Tylers are also the proud parents of four children.

Harriet

I’m not going to judge Ms. Wallace. As a parent myself, I realize you do the best you can with what you have. I have no clue what she went through as a single mother trying to raise and teach a boy how to be a man. She had to work more than she was able to be home, and unfortunately, the street mentality took over where her parental influence should have taken the lead.

I know for a while, there was a side of me that my parents didn’t see. I’m sure she probably had an inkling of what was going on with her son in terms of the drug dealing and street mentality (the money didn’t sprout up through the concrete like weeds, that’s for sure), but she–like many parents–wanted to believe the best of her child.

It’s a shame he died like he did. I was a freshman in college when it happened. I wasn’t necessarily a huge fan of his music (I listened to underground hip hop that didn’t play on the radio so much), but I hated to see his life cut so short. I read the commentary on essence.com, and I agree with the fact that his lifestyle shouldn’t be immortalized (nor should Elvis’ or Kurt Kobain’s), but it is what it is.

…i’m still going to see the movie. LOL
http://politicalmusic.wordpress.com Political Pete

“We can’t change the world unless we change ourselves.”

- Classic.

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Anna

Not sure how I feel about this one. Ms. Wallace may have not known about her sons life style before his passing but why would a mother after death want to make a movie about it and have her grandson play her son. This movie should have been a documentary or a movie of the week on a cable channel. Mom knew her son was wrong and most moms only write a book and do not go this far to stay in the lime light. Maybe it’s just me and I don’t understand the hip hop/rap world. I was born in the late 60′s and to go skating and would get happy when they playeed “double dutch” the song not the rope jumping. Lil Kim signed off her side of the movie but Faith wrote her book. Am I too old, too white or too I don’t care about thugs and how they lived that I don’t care about who they bedded who they married or how many children they had?
Anonymous

this is her way of greiving you have to be there to really understand it is so painfull to lose someone you love
http://politicalmusic.wordpress.com Political Pete

@Anna

Her grandson plays Biggie? He is a rapper (I think http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamal_Woolard)

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Harriet

@ Pete,

Her grandson plays the young version of Biggie in the movie. I’ll be doggone if that boy doesn’t look just like his daddy.

But the older version of Biggie has similar mannerisms. It’s pretty amazing how much they look alike. Whoever the young lady playing Faith is has some pretty uncanny similarities to the real Faith as well.
Nicole

@ Anna I believe that Sylvester Stallone aka Rocky bankrolled and produced the film. I remember hearing him talking about his upcoming B.I.G. pic. a while back. I doubt Ms. Wallace made very much, if any money off the film.

I’m surprised they even made a film in the first place. I personally have no intentions on going to see it. I’d rather see a bio. pic. about someone who contributed more than just raunchy lyrics.
http://politicalmusic.wordpress.com Political Pete

@ Nicole,

You may be right. Foxlight has all of BIG’s life rights.

Political Petes last blog post..Israel’s Bully Pulpit: A Litmus Test for Members of Congress
http://emotionalfunk.blogspot.com/ Emotional Funk

Well I say his story must be told. A very wise uncle of mine we’re having a conversation about telling stories unhappy about your life. He said that if your story can help someone else then you should tell it.
Marcus

STOP STOP STOP…I think Ms. Wallace made this movie s because she understood what her son meant to the world, to the black youth, and to hip hop. As saddened by his death as she may be, I have a feeling she feels a need to always carry on his legacy. Not to mention she has P.Diddy on her side, and he’s always going
Anonymous

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