Ice Spice's parents are Joseph Gaston, an African American with Nigerian roots, and Charina Almanzar, who is of Dominican descent. They met at McDonald's as teenagers.
Ice Spice Parents
Ice Spice, born Isis Naija Gaston on January 1, 2000, has quickly risen to fame in the rap industry with hits like "Munch (Feelin' U)" and collaborations with artists such as Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift. Behind her success story are her parents, Joseph Gaston and Charina Almanzar, who have played significant roles in shaping her identity and career.
Early Life and Family Background
How Ice Spice's Parents Met
Joseph Gaston and Charina Almanzar's love story began in a rather ordinary setting – at a McDonald's in New York where they both worked as teenagers. Their relationship blossomed, and Charina became pregnant with Ice Spice when she was just 17 years old. The couple welcomed their daughter, Isis Naija Gaston (now known professionally as Ice Spice), on January 1, 2000, in the Bronx, New York City.
Unfortunately, their relationship didn't last long. Joseph and Charina separated when Ice Spice was only two years old. Despite their split, both parents remained present in their daughter's life, living in close proximity to ensure she had access to both parental figures.
Growing Up Between Two Homes
After her parents' separation, Ice Spice split her time between both homes. In a July 2023 interview with Apple Music, she took fans on a tour of her childhood neighborhood in the Bronx. She explained that her father and grandmother lived on one side of Davidson Avenue, while her mother and maternal grandparents were just down the same street in different houses.
This arrangement allowed Ice Spice to maintain strong relationships with both sides of her family. She grew up in the Fordham Road neighborhood of the Bronx, an area she describes as culturally diverse. In her own words, "I think everyone I've ever met is mixed, especially in the Bronx," highlighting the multicultural environment that influenced her upbringing.
As the eldest of five siblings, Ice Spice often found herself taking on a leadership role within the family. She has mentioned in interviews that being the oldest sibling "definitely influenced me and my career" and "made me a leader." This early responsibility helped shape her into the confident artist she is today.
Meet Joseph Gaston: The Father Who Inspired Her Music Career
Joseph Gaston's Background and Influence
Joseph Gaston, Ice Spice's father, is African American with Nigerian roots. What makes his influence on Ice Spice particularly significant is his own background in music. Joseph was an underground rapper who performed under the stage name "Gaston" during the 1990s and early 2000s.
His involvement in the hip-hop scene exposed Ice Spice to the world of music from a young age. In fact, she has credited her father as the primary inspiration behind her decision to pursue a career in rap. Joseph introduced his daughter to recording studios when she was just a toddler, planting the seeds for what would eventually become her successful music career.
In a 2023 interview with Variety, Ice Spice mentioned that her father is "such a private person," suggesting that despite his influence on her career, he prefers to stay out of the spotlight. This privacy has not diminished his impact on her musical journey, however, as she continues to acknowledge his role in developing her passion for hip-hop.
Joseph's Musical Legacy
Joseph Gaston's journey in the music industry wasn't without challenges. As an underground rapper, he faced numerous obstacles but remained dedicated to his craft. His perseverance and work ethic are qualities that Ice Spice appears to have inherited.
By the age of seven, Ice Spice had developed a strong fondness for hip-hop, embracing a diverse musical palette that included Latin artists like Aventura and hip-hop icons such as Jay-Z, Wu-Tang Clan, and Jadakiss. This early exposure to various musical styles, facilitated by her father's involvement in the industry, helped shape her unique sound and approach to rap.
Joseph's experiences in the music world provided Ice Spice with valuable insights into the industry before she ever recorded her first track. His stories of struggle and triumph likely prepared her for the realities of pursuing a career in music and gave her a foundation of knowledge that many new artists lack.
Charina Almanzar: The Mother Who Shaped Her Style and Confidence
Charina's Background and Relationship with Ice Spice
Charina Almanzar, Ice Spice's mother, is of Dominican descent and currently resides in New Jersey. She became a mother at the young age of 17 when she gave birth to Ice Spice. Despite the challenges of young motherhood and the eventual separation from Joseph Gaston, Charina has maintained a close relationship with her daughter throughout her life.
Ice Spice has described their relationship as incredibly close, once saying they're "like Siamese twins." This strong bond is evident in their public appearances together and in how frequently Ice Spice references her mother's influence on her life and career.
Charina's Influence on Ice Spice's Style and Persona
In a 2022 interview with Billboard, Ice Spice called her mother a strong, independent woman who raised her to embody those same qualities. She credits Charina for shaping both her style and her confident personality.
The rapper has mentioned picking up numerous traits from her mother, from always having her nails done to the self-assured attitude she projects. "You already know Latina girls have that sass," she joked in an interview, acknowledging her mother's cultural influence on her persona.
In a 2023 Apple Music interview with Zane Lowe, Ice Spice shared that her mother fully embodied the early-2000s aesthetic when she was growing up. "It's duck nails, it's a tramp stamp. It's brown lip liner, no matter where you go," she said, adding, "Thankfully, I had her as my inspo growing up." This Y2K aesthetic has become part of Ice Spice's own brand, showing the direct influence Charina has had on her daughter's public image.
The Viral Mother-Daughter Resemblance
In August 2023, a clip of Charina Almanzar vibing to her daughter's track "Deli" went viral on social media. Fans were not only impressed by her enthusiasm for her daughter's music but also stunned by the striking resemblance between mother and daughter. Many commented that they looked like twins, highlighting the strong genetic connection between them.
This physical resemblance has become part of Ice Spice's narrative, with the rapper often mentioning how she takes after her mother in both looks and personality. The viral moment also showcased the supportive relationship between them, with Charina proudly promoting her daughter's music to her own social media followers.
Ice Spice's Blended Family and Siblings
Life in a Large, Diverse Family
As the eldest of five siblings, Ice Spice grew up in a bustling household. Following their separation, both Joseph and Charina went on to have children with new partners, creating a blended family dynamic. Ice Spice has mentioned that she often spent afternoons at her grandparents' place while her parents worked, surrounded by siblings and cousins.
In a vulnerable moment during an Interview Magazine conversation, Ice Spice opened up about feeling like the odd one out as a kid, watching her half-siblings grow up with both their parents under one roof. She admitted to experiencing a quiet jealousy that stuck with her, though it also helped shape her strong sense of self and independence.
Siblings in the Spotlight
While most of Ice Spice's siblings maintain a low profile, her younger brother, Joey Gaston, has begun to make a name for himself as a model and rising football talent. As Ice Spice's fame continues to grow, there may be increased interest in her siblings and their pursuits.
The neighborhood park where Ice Spice and her siblings hung out during their childhood eventually became the backdrop for her breakout "Munch (Feelin' U)" video, showing how her family experiences continue to influence her artistic expression.
Cultural Heritage and Identity
Mixed Cultural Background
Ice Spice's mixed heritage has played a significant role in shaping her identity and artistic expression. With a father of African American descent with Nigerian roots and a mother of Dominican heritage, she embodies a cultural blend that is reflective of the diverse Bronx community where she was raised.
In November 2022, Ice Spice acknowledged her Nigerian heritage on Twitter, responding to a fan who asked about her tribal affiliation. She tweeted, "im Nigerian but idk which tribe maybe u right!" This acknowledgment of her roots shows her connection to her father's heritage, even if the specific details remain unclear to her.
The Influence of the Bronx
The Bronx itself has been a significant cultural influence on Ice Spice. The borough is known for its rich hip-hop history, having birthed the genre in the 1970s. Growing up in this environment, surrounded by diverse cultures and musical traditions, provided Ice Spice with a unique perspective that informs her music.
In interviews, she often speaks about the Bronx with pride, crediting the neighborhood with giving her the gritty, grounded edge that distinguishes her sound. Even after moving to New Jersey, she maintains strong connections to her Bronx roots, frequently referencing the borough in her music and videos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ice Spice's father from Nigeria?
Joseph Gaston, Ice Spice's father, is of African American descent with Nigerian roots. While Ice Spice has acknowledged her Nigerian heritage on social media, she has mentioned that she doesn't know which specific Nigerian tribe her family is from.
Did Ice Spice grow up with both parents?
Ice Spice's parents separated when she was two years old, but both remained active in her life. She split her time between her father's and mother's homes, which were located on the same street in the Bronx. This arrangement allowed her to maintain relationships with both parents despite their separation.
How did Ice Spice's parents influence her music career?
Ice Spice's father, Joseph Gaston, was an underground rapper who introduced her to the world of hip-hop from a young age. His experiences in the music industry and his passion for rap significantly influenced her decision to pursue a career in music. Her mother, Charina Almanzar, has been supportive of her musical endeavors since childhood, documenting her performances from as young as four years old.
Is Ice Spice Cardi B's sister?
No, Ice Spice is not Cardi B's sister. This is a common misconception, likely due to both artists being female rappers from New York with Latin heritage. Ice Spice is the daughter of Joseph Gaston and Charina Almanzar, while Cardi B (born Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar) has different parents.
How many siblings does Ice Spice have?
Ice Spice is the eldest of five siblings. After her parents separated, both went on to have children with new partners, creating a blended family dynamic. While most of her siblings maintain a low profile, her younger brother Joey Gaston has begun to make a name for himself as a model and rising football talent.
