The Untold Story Of Ice Spice’s Parents: Joseph Gaston And Charina Almanzar’s Influence On A Superstar

The meteoric rise of Ice Spice has made her one of the most talked-about figures in music, yet the foundation of her success—her family—often remains in the shadows. As of December 2025, fans are more curious than ever about the multiracial, New York-based duo who raised the "Munch" rapper: her father, Joseph Gaston, and her mother, Charina Almanzar. Their unique cultural backgrounds and personal histories, from the Bronx to the underground rap scene, provide a crucial context for understanding the artist known for her distinctive sound and "Munchkin" persona.

The story of Ice Spice’s parents is a compelling narrative of cultural fusion and musical roots, directly influencing the artist's identity and sound. Her father’s history as an underground rapper gave her an early connection to the music industry, while her mother’s Dominican heritage instilled a rich cultural foundation. This deep dive into Joseph Gaston and Charina Almanzar reveals the personal sacrifices and unconventional upbringing that helped forge one of the biggest superstars in the contemporary hip-hop landscape.

Ice Spice: A Quick Biography and Profile

To fully appreciate the impact of her parents, it's essential to first establish the profile of the artist they raised, Isis Naija Gaston.

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• Real Name: Isis Naija Gaston
• Stage Name Origin: The name "Ice Spice" came from a fake Instagram account she created when she was around 14 years old.
• Date of Birth: January 1, 2000
• Age (as of December 2025): 25 years old
• Birthplace: The Bronx, New York, U.S.
• Ethnicity: Mixed. She is African-American (with Nigerian roots) and Dominican.
• Education: Attended the State University of New York at Purchase, where she began her music career in 2021 after meeting producer RiotUSA.
• Major Breakthrough: Her single "Munch (Feelin' U)" went viral in 2022, launching her into mainstream stardom.
• Career Highlights: Collaborations with Nicki Minaj, PinkPantheress, and Taylor Swift; received a 2024 Grammy nomination.
• Estimated Net Worth: Between $5 million and $8 million as of early 2024, a figure that continues to rise rapidly.

Joseph Gaston: The Underground Rapper Father with Nigerian Roots

Ice Spice has openly credited her father, Joseph Gaston, with introducing her to the world of hip-hop and rap. His personal history is a fascinating blend of cultures and music passion.

A Foundation in Music

Joseph Gaston was an underground rapper, a detail that provides a clear lineage for Ice Spice's chosen career path. His experience in the local music scene meant that Ice Spice was exposed to the creative process and the realities of the industry from a very young age. This early exposure was instrumental, allowing her to understand the structure and rhythm of rap long before she ever decided to pick up a microphone herself. She has mentioned that her father would share his knowledge of rap and the industry with her, essentially serving as her first unofficial mentor.

Nigerian and African-American Heritage

Joseph Gaston is African-American and has Nigerian roots, contributing to Ice Spice’s multiracial identity. This heritage is a key component of the cultural richness that defines the rapper. The blend of African roots with the vibrant, diverse culture of the Bronx is a powerful combination that fueled her unique perspective, which she brings to the male-dominated drill music scene.

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The Split and Continued Support

While Joseph and Ice Spice’s mother, Charina Almanzar, eventually separated, his influence on her career has remained strong. Ice Spice is the eldest of five siblings, and both of her parents went on to have children with new partners after their split. Despite the unconventional family structure, Ice Spice has expressed that her parents have always been supportive of her ambitions, a crucial factor in her confidence and success.

Charina Almanzar: The Dominican Mother’s Cultural Influence

Charina Almanzar, Ice Spice’s mother, provides the other half of her rich cultural tapestry. She is of Dominican descent, grounding the rapper in the vibrant Latin culture of New York City.

A Working-Class Background

In contrast to her father's musical pursuits, Charina Almanzar reportedly worked at a car dealership. This difference in career paths highlights the balanced, working-class environment Ice Spice was raised in—one part creative hustle, one part stable employment. This duality gave the future star a perspective that valued both artistic expression and financial discipline, which she has spoken about in interviews regarding her desire to achieve financial independence and care for her family.

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The Dominican Connection

Charina’s Dominican background is a major source of Ice Spice’s unique look and cultural perspective. Though she grew up in the Bronx, the influence of Dominican food, music, and family values would have been ever-present. This multiracial identity, blending African-American, Nigerian, and Dominican heritage, is a defining characteristic that resonates with her massive, diverse fanbase across the globe.

A Close-Knit Family Life

Ice Spice is the eldest of five children, meaning she grew up in a busy, multi-sibling household. She has often spoken about her close relationship with her mother and siblings. In an interview with Cosmopolitan, she mentioned that her mother and siblings were initially shocked by the viral success of her early videos, highlighting the genuine, grounded nature of her family life before superstardom.

The Bronx Drill Scene and Parental Support

Ice Spice’s breakout success is intrinsically linked to the Bronx drill scene, a genre that emerged from her hometown. The support and environment provided by her parents were essential for navigating this challenging path.

The Bronx Upbringing

Born and raised in the Bronx, Ice Spice’s environment was characterized by the hustle and energy of New York City. The borough is known for its high crime rate, a factor that Ice Spice has acknowledged shaped her early life. Her parents, Joseph and Charina, provided a stable home life despite their separation, allowing her to pursue her dreams.

Nurturing the Talent

The fact that her father was an underground rapper meant that Ice Spice’s decision to pursue music was not met with resistance, but rather with guidance and encouragement. This is a crucial distinction from many artists who face parental opposition. The support from both parents, whether in the form of musical advice from Joseph Gaston or the grounded perspective from Charina Almanzar, allowed Isis Naija Gaston to develop her unique style without the pressure of having to choose a more "traditional" career.

As Ice Spice continues to dominate the charts and solidify her position as a global superstar, the story of her parents—Joseph Gaston, the underground rapper with Nigerian roots, and Charina Almanzar, the Dominican mother—becomes more significant. Their combined influence created a foundation of cultural richness, musical insight, and unwavering support that propelled the "Princess of Rap" from the Bronx drill scene to a 2024 Grammy-nominated artist. Her success is not just her own, but a testament to the diverse, complex, and loving family that raised her.