When it comes to the Black family dynamic, we say the more the merrier! That’s why it’s always felt great to see when one of our celebrated Black entertainers in the industry opts for starting a melanated Brady Bunch.
Even though it might not always look traditional to the white picket fence dream that we’ve all been sold since the beginning of civilization, one thing that’s for certain is that family is forever no matter how they got there.
This is not to say that big families should be the standard, but there are huge benefits that can come from amplifying your output of offspring. From siblings having someone to grow up with, to the parents themselves solidifying a handful of retirement plans by way of their kids, it definitely isn’t a bad idea to build a tribe for the sake of the family’s future. Of course, there’s also the benefits of a long lineage that comes by way of grandchildren — we literally see it playing out now as Jafaar Jackson carries on the famous family name — which pretty much carries on the legacy into the foreseeable future. Ok, maybe a big family is the standard!
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Overall, whether you choose to start off strong or keep the head count on one hand, we just hope that at the center of it all is love and acceptance. Through these Black celebrities, we discovered that in no way was the journey a perfect set-up — many actually chose to leave their original spouse or never even got married — but the love they showed to any and all children is what ultimately stood out the most.
Going through multiple rounds of the “terrible twos” while also having four or more mouths to feed, well, that’s different story!
Keep scrolling to see some of our favorite Black celebrities who went above and beyond in building their families by going for four kids or more:
1. KeKe Wyatt: 11 Kids
THE TRIBE: Keyver Wyatt Morton (2000) Rahjah Ke’ Morton (2002) Ke’Tarah Victoria Morton (2008) Heaven Morton (2009; R.I.P.) Mickayla Ford (2004; through marriage) Ke’Mar Von Ford (2010) Wyatt Michael Ford (2012) Ke’Yoshi Bella Ford (2015) Kendall Miguel Ford (2017) Ke’Riah David Darring (2020) Ke’Zyah Jean Darring (2022)
2. Tina Campbell: 5 Kids
THE TRIBE: Cierra Campbell (1994; through marriage) Laiah Simone Campbell (2003) Meela Jane Campbell (2007) Glendon Theodore Jr. Campbell (2009) Santana Campbell (2012)
3. Kimora Lee Simmons: 5 Kids
THE TRIBE: Ming Lee Simmons (2000) Aoki Lee Simmons (2002) Kenzo Lee Hounsou (2009) Gary Lee (2009; through adoption) Wolfe Lee Leissner (2015)
4. Master P: 9 Kids
THE TRIBE: Romeo Miller (1989) Vercy Miller (1991) Veno Miller (1991; through adoption) Inty Miller (1993) Tytyana Miller (1996 – 2022; R.I.P.) Cymphonique Miller (1996) Itali Miller (1999) Hercy Miller (2002) Mercy Miller (2005)
5. T.I. & Tiny Harris: 8
THE TRIBE: Zonnique Jailee Pullins (1996; child with Zonnie Pullins) Messiah Ya’Majesty Harris (2000; child with Lashon Dixon) Domani Uriah Harris (2001; child with Lashon Dixon) Deyjah Imani Harris (2001; child with Ms. Niko) Clifford “King” Joseph Harris III (2004) Leyah Amore (2007; R.I.P.) Major Philant Harris (2008) Heiress Diana Harris (2016)
6. Floyd Mayweather Jr.: 5 Kids
THE TRIBE: Devion Cromwell (1996; through adoption) Koraun Mayweather (1999) Iyanna “Yaya” Mayweather (2000) Zion Shamaree Mayweather (2001) Jirah Milan Mayweather (2003)
7. Mathew Knowles: 4 Kids
THE TRIBE: Beyoncé Knowles (1981) Solange Knowles (1986) Nixon Alexander Knowles (2010) Koi Mychael Knowles (2010)
8. Muhammad Ali: 9 Kids
THE TRIBE: Maryum “May May” Ali (1968) Miya Ali (1972) Rasheda Ali (1970) Jamillah Ali-Joyce (1970) Khaliah Ali (1974) Muhammad Ali Jr. (1972) Hana Ali (1976) Laila Ali (1977) Asaad Amin Ali (1995; through adoption)
9. Eddie Murphy: 10 Kids
THE TRIBE: Eric Murphy (1989) Bria Murphy (1989) Christian Murphy (1990) Myles Mitchell Murphy (1992) Shayne Audra Murphy (1994) Zola Ivy Murphy (1999) Bella Zahra Murphy (2002) Angel Iris Murphy Brown (2007) Izzy Oona Murphy (2016) Max Charles Murphy (2018)
10. Ziggy Marley: 7 Kids
Daniel Bambaata Robert Nesta Marley (1989) Justice Marley (1991) Zuri Marley (1995) Judah Victoria Marley (2005) Gideon Robert Nesta Marley (2007) Abraham Selassie Robert Nesta Marley (2011) Isaiah Sion Robert Nesta Marley (2016)
11. Mike Tyson: 7 Kids
Michael “Miki” Lorna Tyson (1990) Ramsey Tyson (1996) Amir Tyson (1997) Miguel Tyson (2002) Exodus Sierra Tyson (2005 – 2009; R.I.P.) Milan Miyla Tyson (2008) Morocco Elijah Tyson (2011)
12. Bob Marley (1945 – 1981): 11 Kids
Sharon Marley (1964) Cedella Marley (1967) David Nesta “Ziggy” Marley (1968) Robert “Robbie” Marley (1972) Rohan Anthony Marley (1972) Stephen Robert Nesta Marley (1972) Karen Marley (1973) Stephanie Marley (1974) Julian Ricardo Marley (1975) Ky-Mani Marley (1976) Damian Robert Nesta Marley (1978)
Evander Holyfield Jr. (1984) Evette Ashley Holyfield (1985) Ebonne Eshaya Holyfield (1987) Ewin Ezekiel Holyfield (1990) Emani Winter Holyfield (1993) Eden Eloise Holyfield (1994) Elijah Esaias Holyfield (1997) Eleazar Evan Holyfield (1997) Elijah Jedidiah Holyfield (1998) Eli Ethan Holyfield (2004) Eve Elizabeth Holyfield (2005)
16. Flavor Flav: 8 Kids
Shanique Drayton (1986) William Drayton III (1987) Karren Drayton Derosa (1988) Da’Zyna Drayton (1992) Quanah Drayton (1994) Kayla Drayton (1996) Karma Drayton (2007) Jordan Drayton (2019)
17. Ray Lewis: 6 Kids
Ray Lewis III (1995 – 2023; R.I.P.) Rayshad Lewis (1998) Diaymon Desiree Lewis (1998) Rashaan Lewis (2000) Ralin Lewis (2001) Kaitlin Lewis (through adoption)
18. Jermaine Jackson: 10 Kids
Jermaine Jackson Jr. (1977) Autumn Jackson (1978) Dawn Jackson (1984) Jeremy Jackson (1986) Jaimy Jackson (1987) Jourdynn Jackson (1989) Donte Randall Jackson (1992; through adoption) Jaafar Jackson (1996) Jermajesty Jackson (2000) “Abu” Jackson (2023)
19. Ginuwine: 9 Kids
THE TRIBE: Ramonda Lumpkin (1988) Elgin “Ay Yo El” Lumpkin Jr. (1991) De’jan Nicole Lee (1992; through adoption) Cypress Soleil Lee (1995; through adoption) Ginel Lumpkin (1995) Tahjair Lumpkin (1999) Story Asaundra Lumpkin (2001) Dream Sarae Lumpkin (2002) Tiffany Santana Lumpkin
20. Nick Cannon: 12 Kids
THE TRIBE: Moroccan Scott Cannon (2011) Monroe Cannon (2011) Golden Sagon Cannon (2017) Powerful Queen Cannon (2020) Zion Mixolydian Cannon (2021) Zillion Heir Cannon (2021) Rise Messiah Cannon (2022) Zen Scott Cannon (2022; R.I.P.) Beautiful Zeppelin Cannon (2022) Legendary Love Cannon (2022) Onyx Ice Cole Cannon (2022) Halo Marie Cannon (2022)
21. Joe Jackson (1928 – 2018): 11 Kids
THE TRIBE: Maureen Reillette “Rebbie” Jackson (1950) Sigmund Esco “Jackie” Jackson (1951) Toriano Adaryll “Tito” Jackson (1953 – 2024; R.I.P.) Jermaine LaJuane Jackson (1954) La Toya Yvonne Jackson (1956) Marlon David Jackson (1957) Brandon David Jackson (1957; R.I.P.) Michael Joseph Jackson (1958 – 2009; R.I.P.) Steven Randall “Randy” Jackson (1961) Janet Damita Jo Jackson (1966) Joh’Vonnie Nakia Jeboo Jackson (1974)
