Angela Bassett has landed the role of slain rapper Notorious B.I.G.’s mother in the heavyweight’s biopic.

The actress, who portrayed Tina Turner in What’s Love Got To Do With It, has signed on to portray Voletta Wallace in the planned movie.

Bassett says she jumped at the chance to be a part of the project after taking a look at the script, which she insists does a "wonderful job of bringing his life to the page".

She adds, "It’s flashbacks, starting at the funeral, through the eyes of different characters in his life."

The role comes less than a month after Bassett was honoured with the 2,358th star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in Los Angeles.

Notorious B.I.G., real name Christopher Wallace, was gunned down after a Vibe magazine party in Los Angeles in 1997.

Newcomer Jamal Woolard will play the rapper in the new film.