Joseph Gaston is best known as the father of award-winning female rapper Ice Spice (real name Isis Naija Gaston). He’s African-American of Nigerian descent, born and raised in the Bronx, New York.
Growing up, watching her father rap and make music fueled Ice Spice’s desire to do the same. Today, Ice Spice is one of the most recognizable female rap artists of today’s generation, with millions of fans around the world and chart-topping hits to her name.
Here’s everything you need to know about Ice Spice’s dad, including his early career, relationship with Ice Spice’s mother, and more.
Joseph Gaston Inspired Ice Spice’s Rap Career
Although little is known about Joseph Gaston’s childhood, he has spoken openly about his early career as an underground rapper.
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Ice Spice often credits her father for inspiring her love for rap, hip-hop, and music in general. In an interview with Paper Magazine, Ice Spice recalls accompanying her father to the studio as he recorded.
“I was a toddler, probably. And I remember little flashes. Of course, not every detail, but small things like that being shown to you at such a young age make an impression on you,” she said. “Subconsciously, I ended up becoming an artist because I saw my father be one first.”
According to Ice Spice, Joseph taught her everything she knows about music and hip-hop. “He knows everything. He’s always educating me on Hip Hop and sh** like that.” Ice Spice also mentioned that they would freestyle all the time in their house, which had ultimately inspired her to start a career in the music industry.
Joseph also influenced Ice Spice’s musical taste. He introduced her to the songs of 50 Cent, Jay-Z, and Jadakiss, and would regularly play rap and hip-hop on the radio station and TV while they hung out.
Currently, Joseph Gaston works in the real estate industry. Ice Spice describes him as a “very private individual,” which some fans thought was surprising considering his early career as a rapper.
When Variety asked Ice Spice what Joseph’s stage name was, she didn’t answer the question. “You can’t find it for a reason. He’s a private person, and that’s not even his lifestyle anymore.”
Joseph Gaston Met Ice Spice’s Mother, Charina Almanzar, When They Were Teenagers
Joseph Gaston met Charina Almanzar, an American with Dominican heritage, when they were teenagers working at a McDonald’s in New York.
The couple welcomed their daughter Isis Naija Gaston in 2000, when Charina was only 17. However, the relationship didn’t last long and ended up separating only two years later.
Despite the separation, Joseph Gaston remained in Ice Spice’s life. In fact, he continued to live on the same block in the Bronx, which allowed Ice Spice to spend time with both her mother and father. She would regularly go back and forth between her mom’s and dad’s homes, maintaining close relationships with both sides of her family.
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Why Did Joseph Gaston and Charina Almanzar Separate?
The reason for Joseph and Charina’s separation isn’t publicly known. However, both mother and father were active presences in Ice Spice’s life.
That said, Ice Spice is especially close with her mother. “She had me at 17, so we kind of grew up together,” Ice Spice once said in an interview. “She gives me sister vibes, and she’s a little crazy, but I’m thankful because that’s why I am who I am.”
About her father, she said, “He’s more leveled, which is also why I feel like I am the way that I am. So I’m grateful for both, they’re a perfect combination.”
Joseph Gaston Has One Other Child
Joseph Gaston has one other child, a son named Joey Gaston. Joey Gaston was born on June 19, 2007, making him 17 years old as of 2025. He plays quarterback for Iona Preparatory School in New Rochelle, New York.
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Joey is fully supportive of his half sister Ice Spice. He’s not afraid to let everyone know that he’s the younger brother of a well-known rapper, to the point that his teammates would play pranks on him.
In an interview with Complex, Joey recalled that during the semi-finals, the student section was clapping and chanting, “We love Ice Spice!” On another occasion, one of his teammates gave him an orange wig similar to Ice Spice’s hair. He just laughed and said, “No way!”
Other than being a football player, Joey is a model working for Next Models.
When asked what he plans to do upon graduating from high school, Joey mentions that he’s looking to pursue a career in the sport. “I want to go to whatever college accepts me as the quarterback I am,” he told GQ.
GQ then asked him how he felt being associated with a famous rapper. Joey said he doesn’t mind, adding: “I don’t look at her as Ice Spice. I look at her as Isis, my older sister.”
Joseph Shares a Resemblance to Rapper LL Cool J
Joseph regularly shows his support for his daughter, Ice Spice. In a recent tweet, he posted a picture of himself and Ice Spice together with the caption: “I became a father on Jan. 1st, 2000. God blessed me with a Princess, proud pops.”
I became a father on Jan. 1st, 2000
God blessed me with a Princess, proud pops pic.twitter.com/65VXOstD57— Gaston (@Staircase2Stage) June 15, 2025
The comment section immediately recognized his resemblance to LL Cool J. One said, “I never knew LL Cool J was Ice Spice’s dad?” Another added: “Dawg, I thought LL Cool J was Ice Spice’s dad!”
Other fans also compared him to Rondell Sheridan, the star of “That’s So Raven” actor.
Image source: Google
Joseph Gaston Briefly Clashed With Rapper Cleopatra
Joseph was part of a social media dispute with Cleopatra, who has over 900,000 followers on Instagram.
Cleopatra is a fellow rapper who has appeared in Ice Spice’s “In Ha Mood” music video and often accompanies her on tour. However, their friendship ended publicly and bitterly in September 2024 after Cleotrapa accused Ice Spice of mistreatment during the Y2K Tour.
In one of Cleopatra’s TikTok posts, she mentioned that Ice Spice was lying about Joseph’s nationality and that he was actually Hispanic, not black.
Joseph quote-tweeted the post, tagging Cleopatra and saying: “We met twice in the green room. We barely spoke, who said I’m Hispanic?” He then added, “I’m a black man. Born and raised in the BX. Keep me out of this bulls***.”
Surprisingly, or perhaps unsurprisingly, given how unhinged some fans are with detail, they asked for proof.
Joseph’s response was swift, mentioning that he’s taken an ancestry test to confirm all of this in the past.
“So he’s probably 15% Nigerian and has no direct family members down in Nigeria, okay, got it,” One fan responded. Joseph replied: “More like 30% and a mix of other countries like Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Mali, Cameroon, and Taino.”
That said, Joseph isn’t offended at Cleopatra’s comment because he mentioned that he does have Latino family members. However, he feels that calling him Hispanic is a bit of a stretch.
Outside of the drama with Cleopatra, Joseph prefers to keep to himself and support Ice Spice from the sidelines.
Featured image source: X
