Notorious B.I.G.
- Net worth $167 million
- Birthday May 21, 1972
- Status Married
- Country United States
- Ethnicity African-American
- Source(-s) of wealth Rapper
How much is Notorious B.I.G. Worth? Notorious B.I.G. Net Worth in 2026
The Notorious B.I.G.’s legacy and estate are estimated at about $167 million, and estimates vary. Christopher Wallace, the Brooklyn rapper known as Biggie, died on March 9, 1997, at age 24, and his catalog, estate partnerships and licensing still generate income decades later.
| Net worth | about $167 million (estimated legacy and estate value; estimates vary) |
|---|---|
| Income today | Estate income from music royalties, streaming, licensing and brand partnerships |
| Born / Died | Born May 21, 1972, in Brooklyn, New York. Died March 9, 1997, in Los Angeles, California |
| Country | United States |
| Occupations / sources of wealth | Rapper and songwriter (career 1992 to 1997); estate licensing |
| Known for | Albums Ready to Die and Life After Death; “Juicy”, “Big Poppa”, “Hypnotize” |
What was Notorious B.I.G.’s net worth?
The Notorious B.I.G.’s legacy and estate are estimated at about $167 million. He recorded only two albums in his lifetime, but his catalog has kept earning through streaming, licensing, posthumous releases and film projects.
Estimates vary and this figure is approximate. It reflects the continuing value of his music and name rather than his bank balance at the time of death.
How The Notorious B.I.G. built it
- Made two albums that lasted. Ready to Die and Life After Death are both certified four times platinum.
- Left a catalog that kept earning. Posthumous releases, streaming and licensing continued to bring in income.
- Built a name that carried on. His estate manages apparel, sports collaborations and brand projects.
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- 2020: Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
- 2021: The documentary Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell reached Netflix.
- 2017: The album The King & I, with Faith Evans, was released using his vocals.
- 2025 to 2026 season: The Brooklyn Nets reportedly partnered with the estate on a Biggie-inspired uniform; this is from a single report.
- Sales: Certified US sales exceed 28 million units, including about 21 million albums, and both major albums are certified four times platinum.
How Notorious B.I.G. earned and still earns money
- Streaming and royalties: Ongoing income from his two studio albums and posthumous releases.
- Posthumous albums: Born Again (1999), Duets: The Final Chapter (2005), Greatest Hits (2007) and The King & I (2017).
- Film and television: The 2009 biopic Notorious grossed $44.4 million against a $20 million budget.
- Licensing and partnerships: Apparel, sports collaborations and brand projects managed through his estate.
Career timeline
- 1991: Records a demo tape with DJ 50 Grand; DJ Mister Cee promotes it.
- 1992: Featured in a hip-hop magazine’s Unsigned Hype column and signed to Uptown Records by Sean Combs.
- 1993: Becomes the first artist signed to Bad Boy Records and appears on the Who’s the Man? soundtrack.
- 1994: Releases his debut album Ready to Die in September, with “Juicy”, “Big Poppa” and “One More Chance”.
- 1995: Wins Rap Artist of the Year at a major US music awards show and guests on Michael Jackson’s HIStory.
- 1997: Life After Death is released on March 25, after his death, and debuts at number one. “Hypnotize” and “Mo Money Mo Problems” both reach number one on the US singles chart.
- 1999: The first posthumous album, Born Again, is released.
- 2009: The biopic Notorious opens.
- 2020: Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Early life and background
Christopher George Latore Wallace was born in Brooklyn, New York, the only child of Voletta Wallace, a Jamaican preschool teacher, and Selwyn Latore, a Jamaican welder and politician. His father left when he was two, and his mother worked two jobs to support him.
He grew up in the Clinton Hill section of Brooklyn near Bedford-Stuyvesant and attended Queen of All Saints Middle School, where he won awards in English. He later went to Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School and George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School. He picked up the nickname Big as a child.
As a teenager he rapped on the street and performed with local groups, including the Old Gold Brothers and the Techniques. A demo tape recorded under the name Biggie Smalls reached DJ Mister Cee and a leading hip-hop magazine, and in 1992 Sean Combs signed him. His breakthrough came with a remix of Mary J. Blige’s “Real Love”.
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Watch: 15 Things You Didn’t Know About Notorious B.I.G.
Notorious B.I.G. net worth FAQ
What was Notorious B.I.G.’s net worth?
His legacy and estate are estimated at about $167 million. Estimates vary.
How did Notorious B.I.G. make money?
He earned from album sales, features and performances. His estate still earns from royalties, streaming, licensing and partnerships.
When did Notorious B.I.G. die?
He died on March 9, 1997, in Los Angeles at age 24. He was born on May 21, 1972.
Where was Notorious B.I.G. from?
He was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York.
Is Notorious B.I.G. still earning money?
Yes. His estate receives income from streaming, royalties, posthumous releases and licensing, and the catalog remains widely popular.
How is Notorious B.I.G.’s net worth estimated?
It is estimated from certified sales, catalog and licensing value and estate activity, so it is approximate.
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How we estimate net worth
Our estimates are based on public reporting, company valuations, and deal and earnings figures all compiled in an internal valuation model. They are approximate, and figures change over time as new information emerges.
Last updated: October 2026.