Biggie Smalls’ cousin Cheef looks to make own legacy

The family legacy of Rising star Mario Wallace, aka Cheef, runs deep in the music industry.

His cousin, hip hop legend Christopher Wallace, aka Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie Smalls, who was murdered in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles in 1997, is regarded by some as the greatest rapper of all time. He grew up in the projects in Brooklyn with his Jamaican mother Voletta Wallace, who was a preschool teacher. Cheef has been cooking up musical beats that he is hoping will, like his famous cousin, take him to future stardom.

"Biggie is one of the best rappers to do it. He paved the way for a lot of the artistes today. I talk very little about him because I'm afraid people will say I am using it to get leverage. But on the flip side, it feels good to know that my family tries hard to keep the Wallace legacy afloat," he shared.

Cheef, who was raised between Florida and Jamaica, was introduced to music by his father Ardie 'Cuban' Wallace, who was the first local promoter in Hartford, Connecticut, to book Bob Marley in 1975 and 1978 for two concerts.

MUSICIANS AND ENTERTAINERS

"I come from a family of musicians and entertainers. I've grown and lived part of my life seeing most of the top artistes, including Capleton, Beenie Man, Ninja Man and others stay right in my dad and mom's house," he said.

At age 10, Cheef began performing on stage and has since shared stage with musical giants such as Yellowman, Third World, Shaggy, The Marleys and even hip hop star 50 Cent. He does rap, pop, dancehall, reggae and R&B. Cheef, who opened for dancehall rising star Skillibeng on his first appearance in Hartford on June 5, will join lovers' rock king Beres Hammond for three dates as the opening act on the Solid Love tour that plays the tri-state area from August 12 to 14. On July 30, he will share the stage with Cham, Maxi Priest and Tarrus Riley at the WestSide Reggae Festival. Then in August he is confirmed for the Springfield Parade with Chuck Fenda.