Rapper YG on Black Fatherhood & Raising Daughters

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 delight. At the moment, we’re speaking about none apart from Compton’s personal, YG.

On this highlight on YG, you’ll find out about:

YG as a Lady Dad
YG’s Emotional Evolution & Evolution
Investing in Household: YG’s Time with Concord & Vibe
Difficult Stereotypes Via Lively Black Fatherhood

From Compton to Craig’s: YG as a Lady Dad

When most individuals consider YG, they image the swaggering rapper behind hits like My N***a, Who Do You Love?, and Large Financial institution. He’s unapologetically West Coast, a product of Compton’s grit and glory, and a defining voice in trendy hip hop. However behind the bars and bravado is a person whose proudest function doesn’t play out on stage—it performs out at dwelling, along with his two little ladies: Concord and Vibe.

Sure, the person who helped deliver Bompton to the mainstream can also be a lady dad by and thru.

Concord and Vibe, his daughters with ex-girlfriend Catelyn Sparks, are nonetheless in elementary college—10 and 6 years previous—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 college. 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.

Throughout the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the world slowed down, YG acquired the form of uninterrupted time along with his daughters that many mother and father dream about.

“You’ve acquired to have a look at it like, Okay, I’m going to take this time and I’m going to put money into myself, put money into my household. In order that’s what we’ve been doing,” he advised Vogue in a 24 Hours profile. 

Fatherhood Modified Me: YG’s Emotional Development & Evolution

Regardless that he’s acquired platinum plaques and a packed tour schedule, fatherhood isn’t removed from his thoughts. In an look on Large Information with REVOLT, he acquired actual about how turning into a dad has shifted his whole perspective. What’s lovely about seeing YG on this mild is that it breaks open a fuller, extra nuanced image of who he’s. He got here up in a troublesome atmosphere. He misplaced associates. He rapped about it truthfully. However by fatherhood, he’s studying to be delicate in a world that doesn’t at all times enable Black males that privilege.

YG and household

Investing in Household: YG’s Time with Concord & Vibe

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 we have to see extra of this. 

Difficult Stereotypes Via Lively Black Fatherhood

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 make certain I’m going the additional mile. I do the additional s**t, plenty of instances, simply to verify 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.