A Guide to Busta Rhymes’ Blended Family: What to Know About His 6 Kids

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Busta Rhymes may be a prolific rapper and producer, but his real hustle is being a father of six.

The 53-year-old hip-hop icon will receive the first-ever Rock the Bells Visionary Award at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards on September 7th. However, it’s his strong connections with sons T’ziah Wood-Smith, T’khi Wood-Smith, Trillian Wood-Smith, and Sacario Smith, along with daughters Mariah Miskelly and Cacie Smith, that truly makes him ecstatic.

Busta (born Trevor George Smith Jr.) shared on Instagram for Father’s Day, “There’s nothing more special in this world,” as he posted a rare family photo. In the caption, he expressed, “Being a father to your beautiful children who love you so unconditionally and make you proud to be the father that you are, and the one you were always meant to be for them, is truly beyond comparison.

Originally from Brooklyn, this individual’s children, conceived from four distinct relationships, were primarily brought up away from the limelight in various homes. It’s only just begun that his extended family has been seen coming together in public.

Busta shared with Entertainment Tonight following his lifetime achievement honor at the June 2023 BET Awards, ‘For the first time, I’m seeing all my kids together, during such a significant moment in my life.’ He admitted he missed some important milestones while they were young and confessed, ‘I carried that guilt with me for a long period.’

As they grew older, they came to comprehend the situation better, and I am incredibly thankful for their pride in me now.

Nevertheless, Busta pointed out that it was difficult to witness their happiness while feeling there was more to be done to make them even happier.

And bringing them together admittedly wasn’t easy.

Busta Rhymes stated on the November 2023 episode of The Diary of a CEO podcast that he is facing legal battles with four women claiming to be his mothers, all seeking substantial child support payments from him. Additionally, he mentioned that his relationships with these mothers are not ideal. He expressed empathy for his children, stating that they didn’t ask to be in this challenging situation and it’s not their fault. He emphasized the need for finding solutions to the problem, acknowledging that it is a heavy burden.

Whenever Busta is with his kids, it’s always a celebration. Here are some interesting facts about his six offspring:

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Busta Rhymes has a blast whenever he’s around his kids, and here’s a rundown of the six little ones in his life.

In February of 1993, Busta Rhymes and his longtime sweetheart from high school, Joanne Wood, became proud parents to their newborn son, T’Ziah Wood-Smith.

As an over-the-moon fan, let me share a personal anecdote: When the topic of children came up, I couldn’t contain my excitement with the mother of my three boys. It was December 2023 during an interview on Way Up when I gushed to Angela Yee, “I was ecstatic because our love was that profound.

But he admittedly sacrificed family time for his career.

As a dedicated father and a passionate artist, I shared in 2023 with Men’s Health that to ensure I could provide for my little one’s needs, I often found myself missing out on the enchanting, magical moments we should have cherished together.

Instead of having the necessary skills to carry out a daily routine that included waking and preparing his son for school, giving him breakfast, helping with homework, and reading bedtime stories, he was unable to do so effectively.

In a similar vein to his father’s ambitious career path, T’Ziah earned a marketing degree from Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, according to his LinkedIn profile. Following this, he spent several years as Busta’s road manager and later worked as an A&R consultant for Roc Nation. Most recently, he held the position of internal wholesaler at the asset management firm, BlackRock.

He greatly admires his dad, expressing this in a caption for a photo from Busta’s August 2025 induction into the Hollywood Walk of Fame: “I’m still wrapping my head around this moment. Nothing is taken for granted. I appreciate everything my father has done and I look forward to what he will continue to accomplish. I love you, champ.

In 1998, I became blessed with a beautiful daughter named Mariah Miskelly. The subsequent year, it was established through a paternity test, as reported by the Associated Press, that Busta was indeed her biological father.

Back in 2017, Mariah shared a picture showing her, her father, and T’Ziah all dressed in caps and gowns, commemorating her high school graduation.

She wrote, “After a lengthy journey, I’ve reached my goal and nothing could make me happier than seeing you two, after being apart for two long years, in good spirits again.” She added, “I adore you both and can only wish that God continues to bless us with more joy and contentment.

Currently, she holds a degree in Business Administration and Management from Southern New Hampshire University. As suggested by her Instagram bio, she is also a skilled pianist, author, and artist nowadays.

As RAI, she contributed to her father’s 2023 track “LEGACY” by playing the piano and singing. Reflecting on this, Busta Rhymes remarked, “It’s astonishing how I once entered the studio to create tracks so I could provide for my kids. Now, I’m crafting these songs alongside my children.

Busta and Joanne welcomed son T’Khi Wood-Smith in September 1999.

The rapper, during a concert in Minnesota in 2023, stated, “He is one of my adult, exceptionally diligent sons that I am proud to present – T’Khi. I truly appreciate you, son.

As a devoted scholar, I immersed myself in the realm of computer science while also honing my football skills at New York’s Pace University. My academic journey culminated in graduation, which occurred in 2023.

Busta Rhymes’ fourth-born child, Cacie Smith, is nearly the same age as T’Khi. It should be noted that her mother’s identity isn’t disclosed publicly.

As “Cie“, she appeared on the show “LEGACY”, alongside Mariah and her sibling “Trillian Wood-Smith“. Currently, she is aiming for a successful solo career.

In a post on Instagram in April 2025, Busta expressed his delight by saying, “I’m absolutely bursting with happiness as I observe her wielding her magic in the studio, crafting her album Cookin’ Up Incredible Heat!! I couldn’t be more proud of you, my stunning young queen!!

When Busta earned his star on the Walk of Fame, Cacie penned, “Recently, life has been all love and radiance for you…it’s a phrase that resonates with you, it’s the guiding principle behind your approach to this new phase of life, it’s the energy you’ve been giving off and receiving.

Trillian was born in 2000 to Busta and Joanne.

In the year 2024, he completed his education at Lincoln University, majoring in Mass Communication/Media Studies. Since then, he’s been pursuing his personal journey in the music industry.

Two years following his father receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023 BET Awards, Trillian took to the stage during the event’s preliminaries.

In 2025, Busta Rhymes commended his young king, commonly known as The People’s Champ @originaltrillian, for tearing it apart with awe-inspiring performance.

Spectators were treated to an uncommon sight of Son Sacario Smith, as Busta Rhymes featured photographs of all his children in the 2024 “LEGACY” music video.

In June 2022, Busta first announced the birth of his youngest child, expressing his deep love and overprotective nature towards him on X’s platform, saying “My dear King Sacario, I love you more than words can express! I’m so overly protective that I wait to share what matters most with the world.” However, despite attending several events since then, Busta regrettably missed the family reunion at the 2023 BET Awards.

While Busta was primarily engaged in business matters as the children were young, due to child support obligations, he believes the quality time with them now wouldn’t have been feasible without the countless hours he dedicated to his career back then.

He clarified on Diary of a CEO in 2023, saying his current life stage is distinct from the one he was at before, and the mindset he currently possesses wasn’t present back then.

Instead, Busta might encourage any of his children by stating that the path to success lies in being incredibly devoted and focused on nurturing their passions.

Discover something that resonates with you deeply, cherish it, and let it become an integral part of who you are. Dive deep into this passion until it consumes your entire being, leaving no room for anything else but this one thing. In essence, he was encouraging: ‘Follow your heart’s desire; live according to your unique purpose.’

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2025-09-07 19:21