Faith Evans' 4 Kids: All About Chyna, C.J., Joshua and Ryder

Grammy-winning singer Faith Evans prioritized raising her daughter and sons

Faith Evans puts her four kids — Chyna, C.J., Joshua and Ryder — first.

“I've never been a heavily touring artist, I've always had children,” she told PEOPLE in 2021. “I had my daughter before I got my first record deal. As I had more children, I kind of always chose to not be away from home so much.”

Evans — whose work spans nearly three decades and includes hits such as “I’ll Be Missing You” and “Can’t Believe” — became a mom in 1993 with the birth of her daughter, followed by the births of her sons in 1996, 1998 and 2007, respectively.

“I had to put other things on hold for the sake of my children, especially when I was out very actively performing and recording and doing shows,” she added. Evans explained that even if she weren’t a performer, she would have still made those “same decisions.”

Her kids grew up around the recording studio and are “very artsy,” she said in a 2012 interview. Now grown, the elder children have established careers in the entertainment industry. Although the singer didn't push them in that direction, she hasn't missed the opportunity to support them through their musical journeys.

“The fact that I know I am their No. 1 advocate and it's absolutely necessary for me to be there,” Evans told PEOPLE.

Here is everything to know about Faith Evans’ children: Chyna, C.J., Joshua and Ryder.

Chyna Tahjere Griffin, 31

Evans and then-partner, gospel musician and producer Kiyamma Griffin, welcomed their daughter, Chyna Tahjere Griffin, on April 1, 1993.

As a toddler, Chyna spent time at the recording studio, including when her mom worked on her debut album, Faith. Throughout Chyna’s childhood, she showed a strong interest in music, learning to play the keyboard at age 7 and creating tracks as a preteen.

“I would put them on a CD, and we would be in the car, and I would just like play her all of my beats, and I did so just out of excitement like, ‘Look, Mom,’ ” she shared while appearing on Conversations With Chike Evans in 2024.

As for Evans' feedback, Chyna revealed she was never critical. “She’s always just been like, ‘That’s dope,’ ” she recounted.

Evans' eldest credits part of her musical training to simply observing her parents while they perfected their craft.

“My mom taught me without deliberately teaching me,” Chyna shared. “When you’re literally in the studio while she’s making her first three albums — you’re going to learn something. It was inevitable.”

She attended New York University to study music formally and released her debut single, “Grown Lady,” in 2012. In addition to releasing new music, she has collaborated with her mom, including joining Evans on tour.

“It’s fun, it’s a learning process because when I was traveling with her younger, I wasn't paying attention to what was going on,” she said. “So now, being a part of the show, I feel like I'm in training. I’ve been able to learn a lot from this.”

Christopher Jordan “C.J." Wallace, 27

Evans and her husband, the Notorious B.I.G., welcomed their son, Christopher Jordan "C.J.” Wallace, on Oct. 19, 1996.

The pair paid homage to Biggie's real name, Christopher George Latore Wallace, with their firstborn's moniker. When C.J. was only 5 months old, tragedy struck as his father was killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles at 24 years old.

"I have no memory of my dad, but I've been told so many stories about him and how much we are similar," C.J. told PEOPLE in 2022. "Now that I'm 25, it's really starting to sit with me that I was able to pass the age that he died. It's a very special feeling because I'm starting to really grow into my own as a man."

Related: The Notorious B.I.G.'s 2 Kids: All About T'yanna and C.J. Wallace

Six months after his father’s death, a then-10-month-old C.J. posed alongside his mom on the red carpet at the MTV Video Music Awards, where she performed “I’ll Be Missing You.”

Following his parents’ footsteps, C.J. jumped into the entertainment industry as a teenager, starring in the biopic Notorious, where he played a young version of his late father.

"Man, that was terrifying," he told PEOPLE. "It was scary. I was in seventh grade at that time, and it was my first time acting and being on a big set like that. Luckily, I'm basically him reincarnated."

"Overall, it was amazing," he added. "It's really what started getting me into acting, and I really fell in love with being behind the camera and directing. Now I'm very interested in creating a new story — a story that's separate from Notorious B.I.G. Let's tell the Christopher George Latore Wallace story."

He went on to star opposite Will Ferrell in Everything Must Go and landed a lead role in the 2016 film Kicks.

In addition to acting, C.J. is a musician and co-owns the lifestyle brand Frank White, which is named after one of his dad’s aliases. C.J. started the company as a way to carry on his dad’s legacy, and proceeds from the company go toward his Think BIG initiative, which advocates for equitable cannabis legalization, criminal justice reform and economic reinvestment into communities.

Joshua Russaw, 26

Evans and her second husband, record producer Todd Russaw, welcomed their son Joshua Russaw on June 10, 1998.

As a child, Joshua attended various Hollywood events with his mom and siblings, including posing on the red carpet for the Coach Carter premiere in 2005.

Joshua’s musical interest started from a young age, with Evans posting a throwback video of a young Joshua in the backseat of a car showing off his chops.

“Sing Joshua! He been doing this! @jahadrussaw remember when I told you to pass the hat around after you sing at the family cookouts?” she captioned the clip.

Like the rest of his family, Joshua, who professionally goes by Jahad, has built a career in the entertainment industry. He is a DJ, singer-songwriter and producer who has worked with various artists, including his brother, C.J.

The siblings and their friend, Lotus Ley, even formed a band called Non-Fixtion, where Biggie served as “a huge inspiration for us,” C.J. told Rap-Up in 2017.

In his spare time, Joshua — who Evans refers to as her “twin” in part because they share a birthday — posts about hanging out with friends and enjoying activities, such as horseback riding and playing golf.

Ryder Russaw, 17

Evans and Russaw welcomed their son Ryder Russaw on March 22, 2007.

The songstress has been open about her son being on the autism spectrum, telling Shondaland in 2021, “I want my son to have the same quality of life as any other child his age.”

Evans and her ex-husband, Stevie J., created the foundation Ryder’s Room Inc., which advocates for autism awareness and provides resources for families navigating similar situations.

“Stevie said I really needed to do it, because this is what we’re living,” she told Shondaland. “I want to raise funds to be able to donate it to families who may be in need.”

Evans and Ryder’s behavior specialist, Maliaka Mitchell, also hosted a weekly symposium called Good Deeds for Special Needs on Evans’ YouTube channel. The episodes covered topics like navigating schools and answered viewers’ questions.

Evans shares a close bond with Ryder, as she frequently posts snaps of the teenager on her Instagram, including videos of her youngest son practicing martial arts and volunteering. She also penned a touching tribute in honor of her son’s seventeenth birthday in 2024.

“Happy 17th birthday to my baby boy Ryder! I love you so much, my Bubba & I thank God for assigning me to care for you,” Evans wrote in the caption.

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