Biggie Smalls' ghost to be character in animated series

NEW YORK, March 13 (UPI) -- A new animated series is in the works about how the late rapper Biggie Smalls' children are running his New York recording studio, producers said.

Chris Wallace, the hip-hop star known as Biggie Smalls or the Notorious B.I.G., was shot to death in 1997. He was 24. His slaying remains unsolved.

His children, C.J. and T'yanna Wallace, will voice their own characters on the animated series, while famous musical artists will appear as guests on the show, Ossian Media, the company behind the project, said in a release.

The rapper's spirit is expected to be a central character on the series, "appearing to the children in ethereal form to guide them through the adversities they face as they struggle to preserve their father's labor of love," a synopsis said.

The series will feature original songs, as well as re-imagined renditions of classics from the Wallace catalog.

"It's been 16 years since our dad was murdered and we miss him dearly. ... It is such an honor for us to be able to carry on his legacy, not only through his music but also by channeling him through our own creativity. This project, 'House of Wallace,' is a great opportunity for us to bridge the gap between our parents who loved his music and the kids and young adults our ages, that were not around to really appreciate it," T'yanna and C.J. Wallace said in a statement.

"Ossian is excited to commence work with C.J. and T'yanna on this project. Furthermore, it is Ossian's distinct honor and privilege to be entrusted with furthering the legacy of one of the world's greatest modern musical talents. The show's creative format will allow for advertising integration in the truest, purest sense of the term -- this could well be the very first animated program to incorporate creative shops [and their brand partners] directly into the narrative," said Ossian Media President Wally Eltawashy.

The company didn't say where or when the series is expected to premiere.