Busta Rhymes’ Blended Family: A Love Story of Six Kids and Four Mothers

As a wordsmith with a penchant for the poetic, I, Maya Rivers, find myself enthralled by the tale of Busta Rhymes, the hip-hop legend with a heart of gold and a family that’s as blended as it is beautiful. With six kids from four different relationships, Busta’s family dynamic is nothing short of remarkable, and their story is one that warrants a closer look.

Busta Rhymes, the 53-year-old rapper and producer, is set to receive the inaugural Rock the Bells Visionary Award at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards on September 7. But it’s not his impressive career that’s making headlines; it’s his role as a devoted father to his six children that’s capturing the hearts of fans everywhere. From T’ziah Wood-Smith, T’khi Wood-Smith, Trillian Wood-Smith, and Sacario Smith to Mariah Miskelly and Cacie Smith, Busta’s kids are the apples of his eye, and he’s overjoyed to have them in his life.

In a heartfelt post on Father’s Day, Busta gushed about his children, saying, “THERE IS NOTHING GREATER IN THIS WORLD THAN BEING A FATHER TO YOUR BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN THAT LOVE YOU SOOOO UNCONDITIONALLY AND MAKE YOU PROUD TO BE THE FATHER THAT YOU ARE AND WAS ALWAYS SUPPOSED TO BE TO THEM.” The Brooklyn native’s kids were raised primarily out of the spotlight in respective households, but recently, his sprawling family has started blending in public.

Busta has been open about the challenges he faced as a father, admitting that he missed some milestones while his kids were growing up. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, he revealed that he “lived with that guilt for a long time.” However, as his kids got older, they began to understand, and Busta is now grateful to see how proud they are of him. Still, he acknowledged that it’s been a journey, saying, “It was challenging to look at them so happy and still feel like I got work to do to make them happier.”

Busta’s eldest son, T’ziah Wood-Smith, was born in February 1993 to Busta and his high school sweetheart, Joanne Wood. T’ziah has followed in his father’s footsteps, graduating from Quinnipiac University with a degree in marketing and working as an A&R consultant for Roc Nation. He’s also a huge fan of his dad, captioning a photo from Busta’s August 2025 induction into the Hollywood Walk of Fame, “Still processing the moment. I take nothing for granted. I thank my father for all he has done and I thank him in advance for what he will continue to do. I love you champ.”

Busta’s relationship with Mariah Miskelly’s mother, Jill Miskelly, was a bit more complicated. Mariah was born in 1998, and a paternity test confirmed the following year that Busta was the child’s biological father. In 2017, Mariah posted a photo of herself in cap and gown at her high school graduation with her dad and T’ziah, marking a special moment in their lives.

As Busta navigates his role as a father of six, he’s learned to prioritize his relationships with his kids. In an interview with The Diary of a CEO podcast, he opened up about the challenges of co-parenting with four different mothers, saying, “You’re dealing with four mothers all having you in court systems, all getting significant amount of money for child support, all not in the best place relationship-wise with you.” Despite the obstacles, Busta remains committed to being a good father, saying, “Your kid didn’t ask to be put in a situation that you cannot do what you’re supposed to do for them. That’s not their problem. You have to find a solution.”

As Busta’s family continues to blend and grow, it’s clear that his love for his children knows no bounds. With his kids by his side, he’s found a new sense of purpose, and their bond is only getting stronger with time. As I wrap up this tale of Busta Rhymes’ blended family, I’m left with a sense of awe at the power of love and redemption.

Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! Online, Associated Press, Men’s Health, Entertainment Tonight, The Diary of a CEO podcast
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed