Faith Evans – Biography, Songs, Children, and Net Worth in 2025
Faith Evans rose from a church choir in Newark to become the first lady of Bad Boy Records, a Grammy-winning vocalist, and the widow of The Notorious B.I.G. Her story weaves together chart-topping music, personal tragedy, and enduring influence in R&B and hip-hop.
Few artists embody the 1990s hip-hop soul era as completely as Faith Renée Evans. Born in Lakeland, Florida, and raised in Newark, New Jersey, she started singing in church at age four and later attended Fordham University on an academic scholarship before leaving to pursue music full-time. Her early work as a backing vocalist for Al B. Sure! and Christopher Williams led to a deal with Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs, making her the first female artist signed to Bad Boy Entertainment in 1994.
Over three decades, Evans has released eight studio albums, earned a Grammy Award, and navigated a personal life marked by high-profile relationships and profound loss. As of 2025, she remains an active performer and advocate.
Who Is Faith Evans? A Biography of the First Lady of Bad Boy Records
June 10, 1973 (Age 51)
Lakeland, Florida, USA
Singer, Songwriter, Actress, Author
$5 million (2025)
- Faith Evans is widely recognized as the “First Lady of Bad Boy Records” and the widow of The Notorious B.I.G.
- Her debut album Faith (1995) established her as a leading female voice in 1990s R&B/hip-hop.
- She has four children, including sons by The Notorious B.I.G. and producer Todd Russaw.
- Faith Evans continues to record and perform, with a focus on independent releases.
- She won a Grammy for I’ll Be Missing You, one of the best-selling rap singles of all time.
- Her 2017 album The King & I paired her vocals with posthumous recordings of Biggie Smalls.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Faith Renée Evans |
| Date of Birth | June 10, 1973 |
| Genres | R&B, soul, hip hop soul |
| Years Active | 1992–present |
| Spouse(s) | The Notorious B.I.G. (m. 1994; d. 1997), Todd Russaw (m. 1999; div. 2011), Stevie J (m. 2018; sep. 2020) |
| Children | 4 |
| Grammy Awards | 1 (Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group, 1997) |
Faith Evans’ Personal Life: Husbands, Children, and Relationship with The Notorious B.I.G.
Marriages and Partnerships
Evans married Christopher Wallace, known as The Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie Smalls, just eight days after they met at a Bad Boy photo shoot. The marriage lasted from August 4, 1994, until his death on March 9, 1997. She later married Todd Russaw in 1998; they divorced in 2011. In 2018 she married producer Stevie J, though the couple separated in 2020. The legal status of that marriage remains publicly unconfirmed.
Children
Faith Evans has four children. Her daughter Chyna was born before her first marriage. With The Notorious B.I.G. she had son Christopher Jordan Wallace Jr., often called “Little Biggie.” With Todd Russaw she had two sons, Joshua and Ryder.
Tupac Shakur claimed in interviews that he had a romantic relationship with Faith Evans. Evans has consistently denied this. Most biographers treat the claim as unsubstantiated, and no credible evidence has emerged to confirm a relationship.
The Notorious B.I.G. and the Aftermath
The murder of The Notorious B.I.G. in Los Angeles left Evans widowed with a three-month-old son. She channeled her grief into I’ll Be Missing You, a tribute recorded with Puff Daddy and 112 that became a global hit. In 2017 she released The King & I, a full album of duets built from Biggie’s posthumous vocal recordings.
Faith Evans Music Career: Top Songs, Albums, and Net Worth
Breakthrough and Platinum Success
Her debut album Faith (1995) went platinum on the strength of singles like You Used to Love Me and Soon as I Get Home. She followed with Keep the Faith (1998) and Faithfully (2000), both of which also achieved platinum status. The First Lady (2005) peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.
Key Releases and the Grammy Win
Evans won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 1997 for I’ll Be Missing You. Her other albums include A Faithful Christmas (2005), Something About Faith (2010), and The King & I (2017). She mentioned working on a project called Incomparable in 2016, but no release has been confirmed.
Evans announced an album titled Incomparable around 2016. As of mid-2025, no official release date or track listing has appeared, and the project’s status remains unclear.
Net Worth and Income Sources
Faith Evans’ net worth is estimated at $5 million. Primary income sources include music sales, touring, royalties from I’ll Be Missing You, and acting roles such as her appearance in the 2017 film Girls Trip.
What Is Faith Evans Doing Today? 2025 Update
Current Activities
As of 2025, Evans continues to perform at 1990s R&B throwback concerts and make media appearances. She has also focused on autism advocacy through her foundation, Ryders Room. In 2023 she released a single titled Faith (The Gospel Truth).
Is There a New Album in 2025 or 2026?
No new Faith Evans album has been announced or released for the 2025–2026 period. Her last major release was The King & I in 2017, and her last solo studio album was Something About Faith in 2010.
Evans and Stevie J separated in 2020. It is not publicly known whether they have legally divorced or reconciled. Reports remain inconsistent, and neither party has issued a definitive statement.
When Did Faith Evans’ Key Life Events Occur?
- 1973 – Born in Lakeland, Florida
- 1994 – Marries The Notorious B.I.G.; becomes part of Bad Boy Records
- 1995 – Releases debut album Faith
- 1996 – Birth of son Christopher Wallace Jr.
- 1997 – Death of The Notorious B.I.G.; release of I’ll Be Missing You
- 1999 – Marries Todd Russaw
- 2001 – Releases album Faithfully
- 2005 – Releases album The First Lady
- 2011 – Divorces Todd Russaw
- 2017 – Releases collaborative album The King & I with Notorious B.I.G. vocals
- 2018 – Marries Stevie J
- 2020 – Separates from Stevie J
- 2023 – Releases single Faith (The Gospel Truth)
What Remains Uncertain About Faith Evans’ Life?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Faith Evans was married to The Notorious B.I.G. from 1994 to 1997. | Whether she had a romantic relationship with Tupac Shakur is disputed and denied by Evans. |
| She has four children: Chyna, Christopher Jr., Joshua, and Ryder. | The current legal marital status with Stevie J is not publicly confirmed after their 2020 separation. |
| Her net worth is estimated at $5 million from music and acting. | The status of her announced album Incomparable has not been clarified. |
Why Does Faith Evans Matter in R&B and Hip-Hop?
Faith Evans was a pioneering female voice during the 1990s Bad Boy era, helping define the hip-hop soul sound that bridged R&B and rap. Her ability to write and produce her own material set her apart at a time when female singers in the genre were often confined to featured roles.
Beyond music, her resilience after the murder of The Notorious B.I.G. and her work preserving his legacy through projects like The King & I have cemented her status as a cultural figure. She is also an author and an advocate for autism awareness through her foundation Ryders Room.
Where Can Reliable Information About Faith Evans Be Found?
Detailed discographies and career histories are available from AllMusic and Britannica. Her Grammy win is documented on the official Grammy site, and chart performance data can be found at Billboard. Film credits are listed on IMDb. Her early life and career background are covered by Biography.com and BMI.
What Is the Bottom Line on Faith Evans?
Faith Evans remains an enduring figure in R&B and 1990s hip-hop soul, celebrated for her vocal power, songwriting, and her role preserving Biggie Smalls’ legacy. While she continues to perform and appear in media, no new music project has been officially confirmed for 2025–2026.
Frequently Asked Questions About Faith Evans
Does Faith Evans still talk to Stevie J?
It is unclear. They separated in 2020, but there have been reported reconciliations.
How many children does Faith Evans have?
Faith Evans has four children: sons Christopher Wallace Jr. (with Notorious B.I.G.), Joshua Russaw, and Ryder Russaw, and a daughter named Chyna.
Is Faith Evans related to any other celebrities?
No close celebrity relatives, but she was married to The Notorious B.I.G. and Stevie J.
What is Faith Evans’ most popular song?
I’ll Be Missing You (with Puff Daddy and 112) is her biggest hit, spending 11 weeks at No. 1.
Did Faith Evans write her own songs?
Yes. Faith Evans is a credited songwriter on most of her work, and she wrote for other Bad Boy artists early in her career.
How old is Faith Evans?
She was born on June 10, 1973, making her 51 years old as of 2025.
Where is Faith Evans from?
She was born in Lakeland, Florida, and raised in Newark, New Jersey.
How many Grammy Awards has Faith Evans won?
She has won one Grammy Award: Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 1997.
Is Faith Evans still making music?
She continues to perform and released a single in 2023, but no new album has been announced for 2025–2026.
Did Faith Evans have a relationship with Tupac?
Tupac claimed they were involved, but Faith Evans has consistently denied a romantic relationship.
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