Roxanne Shante (born Lolita Shante Gooden) might not have attained commercial success like some of the top female rappers, but she is considered the OG when it comes to female artists in the rap game.
Shante's Contribution and Wonderful Husband
Shante played an instrumental role for women in rap. She started her rap journey by earning the title of "Queensbridge Battle Champion" at age nine as an emcee. She then joined Rap Attack when she was just 14 and battled her way to the top of the game, fearlessly with men onstage.
At 14 years old, her debut single 'Roxanne Speaks Out,' turned her into an overnight sensation and ignited the career of rap's first female star. She was the first woman who had commanded respect in the male-dominated genre with her talent.
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However, her fame was overshadowed by darker adulthood and troubled childhood, which caused her to step away from the limelight.
After all those bad memories, she can finally create a new on with her husband, Jabbar Ali. The couple has been married to him since 2017, and they share two children.
She has not made her husband's detail public, but she said he is a retired boxer in an interview with Vlad TV. A quick scan of his Facebook page shows that he is a huge advocate for equality for his African American community and a staunch supporter of his wife.
Shante's Dark Past
While Shante is currently happy with her marriage, finding happiness was not easy for her. In an interview with Vlad TV, the artist details her struggles as a teenage mother and her abusive relationship. She had her first child at 15.
She shared that she did not find her role as a mother at that age difficult because she already had maternal instincts from taking care of her sister. From a financial standpoint, she also had no worries because, at that time, her music career helped pay for the childcare expenses.
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The rapper took her son with him everywhere, including her tours, and credits him for saving her life.
After the shows, I could not drink, smoke, or go to after-parties because I had responsibilities. I had a child to take care of.
Roxanne then admitted that she suffered domestic abuse from the father of her child, and it was not because of her son. She explained that he (father of her child) resented her career and fame, and the abuse had gotten so bad that she was hospitalized with broken ribs.
That was the final straw for her, and she finally left him. She was sixteen at that time. You can watch her biopic Roxanne Roxanne for a better understanding of her life.
