PRIMARY WAVE STRIKES "JUICY" DEAL WITH BIGGIE ESTATE

Primary Wave has acquired the catalog of The Notorious B.I.G. The deal covers publishing and recorded music in addition to name, image and likeness.

The Wall Street Journal (paywalled) reports that Biggie’s late mother, Voletta Wallace, reached the agreement with PW shortly before her death on 2/21. The terms were not disclosed. Biggie's estate is purportedly valued at around $200m.

The Brooklyn rap legend, who was fatally shot in 1997 at age 24, sold more than 28m albums in the U.S. alone and helped launch the careers of Lil Kim and Junior M.A.F.I.A.

His discography includes the Bad Boy/Arista releases Ready To Die (1994), Life After Death (1997) and Born Again (1999). 15 of his songs charted on the Hot 100, including “Hypnotize,” “One More Chance/Stay With Me,” “Big Poppa/Warning” and “Juicy/Unbelievable.” The Notorious B.I.G. was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.

PW said in a statement, “The estate and Primary Wave will collaborate on all business moving forward in an effort to continue the incredible and innovative work done thus far with one goal in mind, to keep the legacy of The Notorious B.I.G. alive.”

That's considerably more than can be hoped for our legacy.