The rise of Bad Boy Records is closely related to the success of Christopher Wallace, better known as The Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie. When Biggie signed to Sean “Diddy” Combs’ label, his talent took Bad Boy to the next level. But behind the success, Biggie was caught in a deal many would later deem unfair. Diddy held half of Biggie’s publishing rights, having the rapper on lock down with a contract that severely limited how much he could make.
As Biggie’s star rose, he had begun to make plans to eventually leave Bad Boy Records, frustrated over Diddy’s tightfisted control of his publishing rights. Biggie’s lawyers had tried to renegotiate for more control, but Diddy had fought hard against them. The fight indeed pushed Biggie further toward making a complete break from the label, but he never got the chance before his untimely death.
Fast-forwarding to 2023, over two decades from Biggie’s death, Diddy let loose of his artists’ publishing rights, which included those of Biggie. The move, according to sources, was about fueling economic empowerment for Black artists, with the rights said to be worth hundreds of millions.
But that didn’t do much to repair Diddy’s standing with Biggie’s mother, Voletta Wallace, who spoke her mind in light of recent allegations against Diddy brought up by his ex Cassie Ventura. Even on the return of her son’s publishing rights, Voletta still showed disappointment, praying for Cassie while hoping Diddy takes responsibility for his actions.
