Home Article American Rapper Roxanne Shante's Personal Life Was Full Of Struggles And Challenges-Has She Moved On From Her Past Life? Is She Married?

American Rapper Roxanne Shante's Personal Life Was Full Of Struggles And Challenges-Has She Moved On From Her Past Life? Is She Married?

Updated On 23 Jan, 2024 Published On 01 Nov, 2018
American Rapper Roxanne Shante's Personal Life Was Full Of Struggles And Challenges-Has She Moved On From Her Past Life? Is She Married?

Before Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, Lil' Kim, MC Lyte, and Queen Latifah, Roxanne Shante made her mark and became rap's first female star. She battled her best on her way to the top fearlessly going on step by step with men onstage.

Before Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, Lil' Kim, MC Lyte, and Queen Latifah, Roxanne Shante made her mark and became rap's first female star. She battled her best on her way to the top fearlessly going on step by step with men onstage.

Both her personal and professional life were full of struggles and challenges. American drama movie 'Roxanne Roxanne' co-produced by Pharrell Williams revolves around the life story of Roxanne Shante. Wanna know more about her married life and children? Let's get in!

Roxanne Shante's Personal Life; Is She Living A Happy Married Life Or Still Single?  

Over three decades earlier, a 14-year-old girl from Queens stepped into the world of rap and eventually became one of rap's first popular female MCs. 

When she was just 15 years of age, when she gave birth to her oldest child Kareen, she was in an abusive relationship with her manager James Cross at that time, who was considerably older than her. 

Roxanne Shante is living a blessed life with her husband and kids
 
Source: Grammy

Some say that he was 18 years her senior. During an interview, she revealed that Mahershala Ali played the role of her son's father in her biopic movie Roxanne Roxanne.

She revealed that Ali said,

"It was the most difficult part he's ever had to play."

When asked if she was still in contact with her son's father, she mentioned that he was no longer alive.

The female rapper is currently married to former boxer Jabbar Ali and the duo is residing in Newark, NJ. Together, she and her husband run an education nonprofit organization to help troubled teenagers.

The mother-of-two mentioned her husband during the interview. She reported that she watched the drama movie of her life with her husband and sons by her side and she could see her husband crying just knowing her early struggles.

Just enjoy the interview that follows below: 

After all the personal issues in her life, Shante is living a blissful married life. Let's cheer up for her strong willpower and dedication.

Roxanne Shante Started The World's First Rap Beef

Shante started rapping at an early age. In 1984, the little girl of 14 from the Queensbridge housing projects started rhyming and became famous around her neighborhood.  

She won many rap battles all over New York City against men twice her age. Her song "Roxanne's Revenge" wasn't just her debut hit but it became her identity on itself.

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

I love my HipHop Brothers @tooshort @rockthebellssxm @callmetaji #roxanneshante #siriusxm @siriusxm @djsylk

A post shared by Roxanne Shante (@imroxanneshante) on

Following the success of her song the 'Roxanne Wars' started and she continued to rap and started touring all across. She is also known for her track  "Sparky's Turn, Roxanne You're Through" and  "Round One, Roxanne Shanté vs Sparky Dee".

 
 
 
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Making Moves Monday #mindovermatter

A post shared by Roxanne Shante (@imroxanneshante) on

She released 'Bad Sister' in 1989 with 'The Bitch Is Back' in 1992. During an interview with Pitchfork in March 2018, she said that she didn't receive a royalty check for her works.

"A majority of the artists that I knew who did receive money all started to get high. I never got a check, so I couldn’t afford to get high... I barely had enough to just make sure everybody was good and survived on."

She stepped away from the music industry at the age of 25 after two albums and several tours.

Roxanne Shante: Quick Facts

Source: Rolling Out
  • Born on 9 November 1969 in Queens, New York City.
  • She started to rap at the age of nine and changed her name from Lolita to Roxanne.
  • She received a bachelor's degree from Marymount Manhattan College.
  • She completed a master's degree and Ph.D. in psychology from Cornell University.
  • She gained wide recognition from the Roxanne Wars.
  • She was part of the Juice Crew.
  • Her live story is better depicted in the 2018 movie Roxanne Roxanne with Chanté Adams playing Shante's role alongside Mahershala Ali, Nia Long, Elvis Nolasco, and Shenell Edmonds.   

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