Christopher Jordan Wallace, widely known as C. J. Wallace, is an American actor, musician, and entrepreneur who carries one of the most significant names in music history. As the son of legendary rapper The Notorious B.I.G. and Grammy-winning R&B singer Faith Evans, he easily could have coasted on family fame. Instead, he chose a completely independent path, carving out a diverse career spanning independent film acting, cannabis entrepreneurship, social justice advocacy, and estate management. This comprehensive biography provides an objective look at his life, career, finances, and the complex family legacy that continues to shape his public and private journey.

Introduction to C. J. Wallace

Stepping out of the monumental shadow of hip-hop royalty requires distinct personal drive, and C. J. Wallace managed this transition by focusing on authentic creative projects. Rather than releasing commercial rap albums like his father, he found his voice through independent cinema, taking on challenging roles in gritty urban dramas and indie features. His professional portfolio expands well beyond acting, encompassing forward-thinking lifestyle brands and leadership roles in criminal justice reform initiatives.

Beyond his creative pursuits, recent high-profile legal battles surrounding his grandmother Voletta Wallace’s estate have placed him at the center of ongoing discussions regarding family asset management and cultural preservation. This article explores his upbringing, filmography, business ventures, net worth, and personal life, offering a complete picture of who C. J. Wallace is today.

Early Life and Family Background

Birth, Parents, and the Tragedy of 1997

Born Christopher Jordan Wallace in New York City on October 29, 1996, C. J. experienced immense historical tragedy during his infancy. Just four months after his birth, his father, Christopher George Latore Wallace, globally celebrated as The Notorious B.I.G., was killed in a Los Angeles drive-by shooting on March 9, 1997, at the young age of 24. This sudden loss robbed him of a paternal figure, leaving his mother, Faith Evans, and later her husband Todd Russaw, to guide his upbringing.

Growing up under the microscope of hip-hop history meant that C. J. understood his father’s cultural impact long before he fully grasped the music industry mechanics. His mother worked diligently to shield him from the more intrusive aspects of celebrity culture, ensuring that he experienced a relatively grounded childhood despite the constant media attention surrounding his family name.

Siblings and Childhood Upbringing

After spending his earliest childhood years in New York, his family relocated to Atlanta when he was four years old, eventually settling in Los Angeles when he reached age seven. This cross-country upbringing helped him develop a balanced perspective on life away from the relentless East Coast media spotlight. He grew up within a blended, creative family dynamic alongside his older half-sister, T’yanna Wallace, from his father’s previous relationship with Jan Jackson, as well as younger half-siblings, Joshua Jahad Russaw and Chyna Tahjere Griffin, through his mother.

Education played a steady role in his youth. He attended Saint Monica Catholic High School in Southern California, graduating in 2014 while concurrently navigating his first steps into the entertainment industry. Raised in the Christian faith, C. J. has frequently spoken about balancing a private upbringing with the massive cultural legacy of his late father.

Acting Career and Filmography

Stepping Into His Father’s Shoes

C. J. Wallace entered the entertainment industry at an exceptionally young age through a carefully planned biographical project. His breakthrough role occurred in 2009 when he was cast to portray a younger version of his late father in the biographical drama film Notorious, directed by George Tillman Jr. Stepping into his father’s shoes for his acting debut provided a profound emotional anchor, given that he never had the opportunity to know him personally.

Portraying the man behind the myth allowed C. J. to connect with his father’s artistry from an insider perspective. Rather than typecasting himself exclusively into biographical projects after this debut, he deliberately sought diverse cinematic roles to establish his own acting credentials independent of his lineage.

Diversifying Into Independent Cinema and Television

His post-biopic filmography demonstrates a clear commitment to indie cinema and character-driven storytelling. He appeared alongside Will Ferrell in the comedy-drama Everything Must Go in 2010, followed by critically acclaimed roles in the urban adventure film Kicks in 2016 and the gripping social drama Monsters and Men in 2018. His versatility also led him to television, where he played Amir Ayoub in the third season of the VH1 slasher series Scream: Resurrection in 2019.

In addition to narrative features, C. J. has appeared as himself in documentary projects exploring his father’s enduring influence, including the Netflix documentary Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell in 2021 and It Was All a Dream in 2024. These appearances allow him to speak authentically about his heritage while continuing to build a respected resume as a working actor.

Entrepreneurship and Cannabis Ventures

Founding Think BIG and Social Justice Advocacy

Beyond acting, C. J. Wallace has established himself as an ambitious modern entrepreneur. In 2019, he co-founded the cannabis lifestyle and social justice brand Think BIG alongside his former stepfather Todd Russaw and entrepreneur Willie Mac. Think BIG was created to challenge historical stigmas surrounding cannabis consumption while actively prioritizing criminal justice reform, community reinvestment, and equity for communities disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs.

The brand operates with a clear social mission, redirecting a portion of its focus toward supporting organizations that fight for the release of non-violent cannabis offenders. C. J. views this enterprise not merely as a business opportunity, but as a platform to correct historical inequalities that disproportionately devastated minority neighborhoods across America.

The Launch of the Frank White Brand

Under the Think BIG umbrella, the team launched Frank White, a premium cannabis brand named directly after his father’s iconic cinematic alter ego from the movie King of New York. Frank White pre-rolls and related lifestyle products launched in partnership with Lowell Herb Co., merging premium product quality with a mission of economic empowerment.

This venture successfully bridges pop culture history with modern consumer preferences. By utilizing his father’s legendary nickname, C. J. has created a sustainable business model that honors his family name while driving meaningful conversations about legalization and industry equity.

Net Worth and Financial Standing

Estimated Wealth and Revenue Streams

Financial estimates regarding C. J. Wallace’s net worth vary across industry publications, generally ranging from conservative estimates of $1 million to $5 million, while some luxury celebrity finance trackers place figures higher based on family estate valuations. His financial portfolio is built on a diverse foundation:

• Acting salaries from independent feature films and television appearances.
• Equity stakes and revenue generation from his cannabis brand Frank White and Think BIG.
• Music production, creative licensing, and brand partnerships.
• Interests tied to the intellectual property and estate management of The Notorious B.I.G.

Rather than relying solely on royalty distributions from his father’s massive music catalog, C. J. actively generates income through his own business ventures and creative projects, ensuring long-term financial independence.

Legal Battles Over Family Estates

The Passing of Voletta Wallace and Estate Disputes

In recent years, C. J. Wallace has found himself embroiled in significant legal disputes regarding the management of his family’s multi-million dollar literary, musical, and physical estate assets. Following the passing of his beloved grandmother, Voletta Wallace, on February 21, 2025, at the age of 78, a high-stakes court battle emerged in Pennsylvania.

Under Voletta’s original 2020 will, she designated personal property, including iconic jewelry, furs, music awards, and a home in Jamaica, directly to C. J. and his sister T’yanna Wallace. This document reflected her long-stated desire to keep personal memorabilia within the immediate family circle.

Challenging the 2025 Codicil

Court documents later revealed an addendum signed on February 6, 2025, just 15 days before her death, which transferred major administrative authority over Notorious B.I.G. LLC to Wayne Barrow, a longtime music executive and former co-manager of The Notorious B.I.G. C. J. filed a lawsuit challenging the 2025 codicil, arguing that his grandmother was bedridden, heavily medicated, and in declining health during her final days, rendering her signatures inconsistent and questioning her testamentary capacity.

Simultaneously, Wayne Barrow secured legal victories in Delaware courts regarding intellectual property rights. This ongoing legal chapter highlights C. J.’s fierce dedication to protecting his grandmother’s original intentions and safeguarding his family’s cultural legacy from outside administrative control.

Personal Life, Height, and Social Media Standing

Physical Stats and Private Lifestyle

Standing at 1.74 meters (approx. 5 feet 8 inches) tall, C. J. Wallace maintains a remarkably private personal life. Unlike many public figures of his stature, he avoids excessive public disclosure regarding his romantic relationships, confirming no current marriage or public children.

He utilizes digital platforms selectively to highlight his business ventures, social justice campaigns, and tributes to his legendary family roots. This measured approach to social media allows him to maintain healthy boundaries between his public career and his private peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are C. J. Wallace’s parents?

C. J. Wallace is the son of legendary rapper Christopher Wallace, widely known as The Notorious B.I.G., and Grammy-winning R&B singer Faith Evans.

What is C. J. Wallace’s net worth?

His estimated net worth ranges between $1 million and $5 million, accumulated through acting salaries, his cannabis brand Frank White, music production, and family estate interests.

How many siblings does C. J. Wallace have?

He has three siblings: an older half-sister named T’yanna Wallace, and two younger half-siblings named Joshua Jahad Russaw and Chyna Tahjere Griffin.

Did C. J. Wallace play his father in a movie?

Yes, he made his acting debut in the 2009 biographical drama film Notorious, where he portrayed a younger version of his late father.

What is the Frank White brand?

Frank White is a premium cannabis and lifestyle brand co-founded by C. J. Wallace that focuses on product quality, economic empowerment, and social justice reform.