The biopic chronicling the life and death of Biggie Smalls (a.k.a. the Notorious B.I.G.) has found its star. Jamal Woolard, a Brooklyn rapper, will play Biggie Smalls in the film “Notorious.”

Jamal Woolard joins a solid cast for “Notorious,” including Angela Bassett (as Biggie’s mom, Voletta Wallace), Derek Luke (playing Sean “Diddy” Combs) and Anthony Mackie (playing Tupac Shakur). “Soul Food” director George Tillman Jr. will direct the Notorious B.I.G. biopic.

Notorius B.I.G. (Christopher Wallace) was killed in a drive-by in Los Angeles in 1997. “Notorious” is scheduled for a January 2009 release.