This past November, the legacy of The Notorious B.I.G. further met a new chapter in hip-hop history with the news that Primary Wave has purchased a stake in the late rapper's music catalog. It isn't easy to specify the exact financial terms. Still, industry estimates put the acquisition sum in the vicinity of $ 200 million, making it one of the most significant posthumous catalog acquisitions of Hip-Hop.
The acquisition was made after Biggie's mother, Voletta Wallace, died in February. It was said to be a deal she had been working on before her death, an arrangement that could guarantee her son's music and likeness would be treated with care. Under the new arrangement, Primary Wave takes ownership of Biggie's publishing, recordings, and some rights related to his name, image, and likeness.
Biggie's estate was acquired by Primary Wave, which has managed the legacy of iconic artists from Whitney Houston to Prince and Nirvana. The news of this acquisition shows that this is more than just money to them; it is a sworn duty to maintain and promote Biggie's status as a still-thriving cultural figure. In a press statement, the company said it was working with Biggie's estate to advance his legacy.
"The estate and Primary Wave will partner on all business ventures going forward in an effort to further the amazing and groundbreaking work of the past, all with one mission to continue the legacy of The Notorious B.I.G."
Christopher Wallace, aka Biggie Smalls, is one of Hip-hop's most celebrated figures. His albums, 'Ready to Die,' 'Life After Death,' and 'Born Again,' have sold over 28 million copies in the U.S. alone. Tracks as classic as 'Juicy,' 'Big Poppa,' and 'Mo Money Mo Problems,' are like a bible, a cultural murmuration for generations of artists and fans.
Under the guidance of Primary Wave, fans can look forward to new initiatives, including licensing opportunities for film, television, and brand partnerships that will bring Biggie's music to additional listenerships.
But not everyone is celebrating the acquisition. Gene Deal, a former associate of Biggie Smalls, has questioned the ethics behind the Deal. In a new interview, he also accused long-serving music executives Mark Pitts and Wayne Barrow, who had longstanding ties to Sean "Diddy" Combs, of negotiating the sale when Voletta Wallace was seriously ill and receiving hospice care.
Deal alleges that Pitts and Barrow were not acting in the best interests of Biggie's family but rather their financial interests. "They were looking at a sale for $100 to $150 million, which would have been more for them than for the loved ones of Wallace," he said.
They were Puff's boys," Deal added, insinuating that their loyalty to Combs affected their handling of the Deal. Now that the Deal is done, Biggie's catalog is in the hands of Primary Wave. Whether this choice will celebrate his legacy or a point of contention remains to be seen. Nearly three decades after his death, The Notorious B.I.G. is still making history.
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