If there’s one factor we all know, it’s this: Black Love is Fatherhood. Nowhere is that extra evident than within the visible memoir Father Noir. Now in its fifth yr, Father Noir is the brainchild of Black Love co-founder Tommy Oliver—a filmmaker, photographer, and father of three boys who is aware of firsthand how essential visibility is for reshaping the narrative round Black fatherhood.
All month lengthy, we’re highlighting a few of our favourite fathers who’re doing simply that: exhibiting up with love, presence, and satisfaction. In the present day, we’re speaking about none apart from Compton’s personal, YG.
YG and household
When most individuals consider YG, they image the swaggering rapper behind hits like My N***a, Who Do You Love?, and Massive Financial institution. He’s unapologetically West Coast, a product of Compton’s grit and glory, and a defining voice in fashionable hip hop. However behind the bars and bravado is a person whose proudest function doesn’t play out on stage—it performs out at residence, along with his two little ladies: Concord and Vibe.
Sure, the person who helped deliver Bompton to the mainstream can also be a woman dad via and thru.
Concord and Vibe, his daughters with ex-girlfriend Catelyn Sparks, are nonetheless in elementary faculty—10 and 6 years outdated—and already heart his world in essentially the most grounding means. In a candy second that went viral final yr, YG was noticed taking his ladies out for a elaborate dinner at Craig’s in West Hollywood earlier than the primary day of faculty. Concord was on the brink of begin fifth grade, and Vibe was heading into 1st.
YG and household
That’s the form of dad he’s: proud, current, and invested within the milestones that matter.
Through the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the world slowed down, YG bought the form of uninterrupted time along with his daughters that many dad and mom dream about.
“You’ve bought to take a look at it like, Okay, I’m going to take this time and I’m going to spend money on myself, spend money on my household. In order that’s what we’ve been doing,” he advised Vogue in a 24 Hours profile.
Though he’s bought platinum plaques and a packed tour schedule, fatherhood is rarely removed from his thoughts. In an look on Massive Information with REVOLT, he bought actual about how turning into a dad has shifted his whole perspective. What’s stunning about seeing YG on this gentle is that it breaks open a fuller, extra nuanced image of who he’s. He got here up in a tricky atmosphere. He misplaced buddies. He rapped about it actually. However via fatherhood, he’s studying to be comfortable in a world that doesn’t at all times permit Black males that privilege.
YG and household
When he posts movies of his daughters dancing in matching outfits, enjoying tennis with tennis nice Naomi Osaka, and even simply their little arms wrapped round his, it’s a reminder that Black love is a radical act. Father Noir was born from the concept that we have to see extra of this.
Whether or not he’s placing his daughters to mattress, taking them to high school, or flying them out for household holidays, YG is doing the work. Not simply the seen work, however the emotional work too—reflecting, adjusting, and rising in actual time.
“I’m round her,” the rapper shared with Vulture about his daughter. “ She lives with me so I ensure I am going the additional mile. I do the additional s**t, a whole lot of occasions, simply to ensure my daughter … she is aware of who daddy is; she is aware of what’s up.”
And that’s what Father Noir is all about.
