As part of a story featured in the Winter 2014 issue of XXL Magazine, Alabama rapper Yelawolf spoke on matters concerning fatherhood. The Southern wordsmith revealed that he grew up without his biological father, but did have various father figures in his life, including his grandfather and a man his mother dated when he was a teenager.
As a father of three, Yelawolf later stated that he “couldn’t imagine life with the guilt of being a bad father.”
“I didn’t have a father,” Yelawolf said. “My dad was 86ed when I popped out. So I spent my life as a Gypsy, pretty much, with my momma bouncing around. I was always close with my grandparents. When I was young my mom dated a man named Jim Garner and he became my second most important father figure besides my Paw Paw (grandfather). He came over when I was 14, which must have been a nightmare; smoking all his weed and drinking all his liquor. But for me being a father—with or without hip-hop—I couldn’t imagine life with the guilt of being a bad father, I don’t know how to do that. How do you abandon or not care?”
In regards to his own trio, the Shady Records emcee revealed that being a father has been “a serious challenge” and is even more difficult given that he’s no longer with the mother of his children.
“But just being a dad, it’s a serious challenge,” he said. “But I got great kids; they are geniuses, so smart. They are going to follow up and hold me down after my career is done. I’m just making sure I’m providing for all their hobbies and their desires. My oldest son, he is 12 years old and he wants to be a fashion designer. I think that’s so ill. I got him a sewing machine. They are not normal kids. My oldest son never had a hair cut. They all skateboard and write movies. My oldest and his littler brother write scripts and perform them. They record them and edit them. They’re only 10 and 12. You begin to watch little bits of you start to grow out of your kids. That’s what a man is supposed to be. I’m separated, which makes things extremely difficult but I’ll always be a good partner for my kids. People fuck up and let their woman determine the relationship with their kids. That’s a big problem.”
REAL SHIT
That comment is hip-hop to the core. Props to Yelawolf.
I’ve always had so much respect for Michael, and always do. He is a great father and a great example to his kids. Like I said to his oldest son, “Robot, Your father is a very intelligent man”! Much love and respect to you, Yela
its easier than you think
Another true clown in the rap game.
Says Big Barrio 18, E’z up. Because he has all the answers Sway.
@Hmm, i enjoyed your comment lol.
Single dads raising kids rock! Don’t get it twisted. We do the damn thing.
hes not a single dad raising kids, he has partial custody and spends most of the year on tour getting wasted
@blanka that may be true but taht does not mean he cant be a good father to his kids. im growing up without a dad and it sucks im here to tell ya.
I think the positive comments here are dude’s family members. I mean seriously, who is this guy?
hes signed to Eminem who are you
Bitch he is on shady records. Where the fuck have you been?! You’re a little outdated, maybe?
To true and real just like that for me I try what I can for my kids fuck what nobody says I’ve sat most my life in prison and had a fucked up life with selling banging and proving to people im not just some white boy they can push around im a country boy by heart from Milwaukee and moved around alot life is a struggle every day just got off esp parole and I bust my ass to make my family happy and even with what I do and what I get for cash isn’t enough but I will never go back to the streets id tell my story it be a movie and no joke but ill stay to this concrete and laying slabs till I find a way like others the streets took most my life and id rather be broke and happy then rich and unhappy and I put that on the paint wish I could tell most my story might help people in still who I am always me still sit and drink a mix after work that jack is my get away if some know them they know if not owell not perfect and who is I drink and still that boy that gets with the people and shit I’m a star in my eyes I do shit most never done and give respect when its earned respect me and ill respect you and if you my friend ill never turn my back is rather die for you plus one thing money cant buy you a smile can buy you only that joker face so you pick ya we all need money but don’t let that shit take over family first and that’s where I am ill die being me if I’m a star or not this is who I am so to all that can vibe that I tip my hat and show my love god bless oh and look me up face book my name Charles Bellcour shit if could id give you all a round with me shit Whisky and a mother round lol drinks on me
I love his poetry/lyrics. Definitely relatable on so many levels. Stay up fella:)
“…given that he’s no longer with the mother of his children.”
>>>> “…given that he’s no longer with the children’s mother.”
you guys don’t like him then just leave. you can go fuck yourself. micheal atha is the only rapper worth listening to these days and not all your hopdray shit, he speaks the truth.