Wayne Barrow has secured a significant victory in a high-stakes legal battle concerning the control of the Notorious B.I.G. music catalog. A Delaware court ruling has dealt a major blow to Faith Evans, effectively sidelining her efforts to maintain exclusive control over the late rapper’s business affairs.
According to reports, Judge Kathaleen St. J. McCormick determined that the trust managed by Barrow—which represents the interests of the late Voletta Wallace—is a legitimate member of the LLC that holds the rights to the iconic rapper’s music and likeness. This judicial decision ensures that Evans can no longer exclude Barrow and the Wallace estate from the financial proceeds generated by the lucrative Primary Wave Music deal.
Legal Implications of the Ruling
The conflict originated following a 2025 agreement in which Primary Wave acquired a 50% stake in the catalog of the artist, born Christopher Wallace. Tensions escalated when Barrow alleged that Evans had unilaterally seized control of the business operations and withheld the Wallace trust’s rightful share of the earnings. In a pointed opening to her ruling, Judge McCormick referenced the rapper’s own lyrics from “Ten Crack Commandments,” reminding the parties of the importance of keeping family and business matters distinct.
Evans had previously attempted to stay the Delaware proceedings, arguing that a separate legal challenge regarding the validity of a will in Pennsylvania should take precedence. In that case, the children of the late rapper have claimed that Barrow exerted undue influence over their grandmother. However, Judge McCormick rejected this motion, clarifying that the two legal matters involve independent issues that can be adjudicated separately. The court emphasized that the status of the Wallace trust as a member of the LLC remains firm, regardless of the ongoing litigation in Pennsylvania.
“Judge Kathaleen St. J. McCormick opened her ruling by quoting Biggie’s own lyrics from ‘Ten Crack Commandments,’ which warned to keep family and business completely separated.”
The Primary Wave deal, valued at approximately $100 million, encompasses a vast array of assets, including the name, likeness, and legendary discography of the artist who defined the mid-1990s hip-hop era with timeless tracks like “Juicy” and “Big Poppa.” As this legal saga continues, the court’s decision marks a pivotal shift in the management of one of hip-hop’s most valuable legacies.
