A Survey Of Recent Trusts And Estates Cases, Hip Hop Edition: Biggie, Tupac, XXXTentacion, Mac Miller, And Post Malone

As the Notorious B.I.G. rapped, 'You’re nobody ’til somebody kills you.'

Notorious B.I.G. (Photo by Larry Busacca/WireImage)

I take my trusts and estates inspiration from wherever I can. Family disputes, artistic masterpieces, and of course, the news feed are frequently laden with stories of quarreling beneficiaries, strange yet generous bequests, and lessons as to how to (or not to) carry out one’s final wishes. As a hip-hop fan, it is hard not to be affected by the genre’s heavy themes of wealth and death, whether or not you are an estate attorney.  For example, The Notorious B.I.G. also known as Biggie Smalls’s iconic albums Ready to Die and Life After Death (released posthumously) are fine examples of the dangers of life and presence of death so laden in artists’ minds and music, especially in this genre. They also serve as primers to any individual as to feelings  contemplated when considering an estate plan or dealing with the loss of a loved one. Some of the most interesting modern estates have been those of hip hop music stars, whether it is Tupac Shakur’s parents fighting as to inheritance rights or Biggie’s Estate suing various individuals and entities for unauthorized use of his image.

Recently, hip-hop artists have made headlines for a host of issues related to trusts and estates. In March, the Estate of XXXTentacion, who was murdered in June 2018 at the age of 20, announced a deluxe edition of the rapper’s music to be released in July 2019 to include new original material, remixed songs, and never-before-released voice memos created by him. The Estate of XXXTentacion, administered by his mother, Cleopatra Bernard, was recently sued by producer, Jimmy Duval, claiming that he is due unpaid royalties. Despite his young age, XXXTentacion had executed a last will and testament and trust in November 2017, making certain to state his desires as to the estate. It was also alleged, following his death, that a former girlfriend was pregnant with his child. Such a claim would raise issues as to an afterborn child’s right to a deceased parent’s estate. According to the estate documents, XXXTentacion’s beneficiaries are his mother and brothers.

Rapper and songwriter, Mac Miller, age 26,  died of a drug overdose in September 2018. As a result of his sudden demise, in November, his Estate petitioned the probate court for a referee to appraise the decedent’s assets. It has been reported that Miller had established a trust in 2013 and his brother and parents are his beneficiaries. He also established a last will and testament and appointed an attorney friend as executor.

Bud Light seems to have a trusts and estate enthusiast working in its advertising  department as it revealed via social media that rapper Post Malone was bequeathed the late Bud L. Knight’s helmet. Bud L. Knight is a fictional beer character who appeared in the Bud Light Super Bowl commercial wherein he lost a jousting match, his helmet, and his life to a Game of Thrones aggressor. Lest you were concerned about the disposition of the Knight’s assets, the issue has been resolved, pursuant to a last will and testament, and we are all “better now.”

Hip-hop stars, upon retirement, may seek an executorship.  Rapper and beat-boxing pioneer, Doug E. Fresh, who worked with Slick Rick and the Get Fresh Crew, is currently serving as executor of a New York estate.  In this capacity, he is suing a neighbor for millions of dollars over a stalled construction project near the decedent’s Harlem home.

In March, the Estate of the Notorious B.I.G. filed a complaint in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against Swiss snowboarding company Yes Snowboards. The lawsuit argues that Yes used the artist’s image on its merchandise without the Estate’s  permission. The causes of action include copyright and trademark infringement.

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Lastly, Nipsey Hussle’s recent California murder is likely to raise many estate questions, depending on how the homicide investigation evolves. Although no last will and testament or trust has yet been revealed, claims as to wrongful death and personal injury amongst others will surely arise. As the Hussle Estate is sorted out, I am reminded of a famous lyric of the Notorious B.I.G.: “You’re nobody ’til somebody kills you.” Surely this is a message that rappers and civilians alike can understand. Such a lyric should be on our minds, along with the following lyric, “I don’t wanna die, God tell me why,” as we prepare for  our  eventual demise.


Cori A. Robinson is a solo practitioner having founded Cori A. Robinson PLLC, a New York and New Jersey law firm, in 2017. For more than a decade Cori has focused her law practice on trusts and estates and elder law including estate and Medicaid planning, probate and administration, estate litigation, and guardianships. She can be reached at cori@robinsonestatelaw.com

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