Joshua Russaw Joins Faith Evans at Newark Honour

A Family Affair in New Jersey

Joshua Russaw was among the family members who turned out in June 2026 to watch his mother, R&B legend Faith Evans, receive one of the most meaningful honours of her career: a street named after her in the city where she grew up. The ceremony, held on 13 June in Newark, New Jersey, saw city officials formally rename a stretch of Grumman Avenue “Faith Evans Way,” and Joshua was there to witness the moment alongside his siblings and extended family.

For many readers, this may be the first time they have come across the name Joshua Russaw. He is not, strictly speaking, a household name in his own right yet, but he occupies a distinctive place in American entertainment circles as the son of one of R&B’s most decorated voices.

Who Is Joshua Russaw?

Joshua Jahad Russaw was born on 10 June 1998 in Los Angeles, California, the son of singer-songwriter Faith Evans and her former husband, musician and producer Todd Russaw. His parents married in 1998 and divorced in 2011, though Joshua has reportedly maintained close relationships with both of them throughout his life.

Growing up in a household steeped in music, Joshua has pursued a multifaceted career of his own, working as a singer, DJ and music producer. He has reportedly built a name for himself in the industry partly through his association with his older half-brother, Christopher Wallace Jr. — son of the late rapper The Notorious B.I.G. — with the pair reportedly having collaborated as part of a rap duo. Joshua has also dabbled in modelling and maintains an active, if modest, presence on social media, where he has steadily built a following.

He is one of four siblings in a blended family that includes Chyna Tahjere Griffin, Christopher Wallace Jr. and his younger brother Ryder Evan Russaw. Faith Evans later remarried music producer Stevie J in 2016, further expanding the family’s ties within the entertainment world.

The Newark Tribute

The street dedication that brought Joshua back into the public eye was organised by the City of Newark in recognition of Faith Evans’ enduring connection to her hometown. Although Evans was born in Lakeland, Florida, she spent her formative years in Newark and graduated from University High School in 1991, a detail that made the gesture particularly poignant for long-time residents of the city.

Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, together with members of the Newark Municipal Council, presided over the unveiling at the intersection of Grumman Avenue and Elizabeth Avenue — the very street where Evans grew up. The designation had been approved earlier in the year through a council resolution, sponsored by Council Member-at-Large Louise Scott-Rountree, authorising the ceremonial naming while retaining the official addresses of Grumman and Elizabeth Avenues for postal purposes.

The event doubled as a community block party, drawing city officials, local leaders, long-time fans and family members. For Evans, the day carried extra emotional weight: the council also recognised her grandmother, Mae, along with Bob Kennedy, for their decades of residency and contribution to the Grumman Avenue community.

A Proud Moment for the Family

Photographs from the day captured Joshua Jahad Russaw alongside his brother, Christopher Wallace Jr., as the pair stood with their mother beneath the newly unveiled sign. The siblings have appeared together at several family milestones over the years, including the 2009 premiere of the biopic “Notorious,” which chronicled the life of Christopher’s late father.

Evans herself was visibly moved by the occasion, reportedly describing the honour as one of the most meaningful moments of her life. She took to social media afterwards to thank the city and reflect on what the gesture meant to her personally, noting how special it was to see her grandmother publicly recognised alongside her.

For Joshua, the event offered a rare opportunity to be seen publicly supporting his mother’s legacy, reinforcing the close-knit nature of the Evans-Russaw family despite the changes the household has undergone over the years, including his parents’ divorce and his mother’s subsequent remarriage.

Background on Faith Evans

For readers less familiar with the family, Faith Evans is a Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and record producer widely regarded as one of the defining voices of 1990s R&B. She made history as the first woman signed to Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs’ Bad Boy Entertainment label, going on to release a string of acclaimed albums and collaborating with some of the genre’s biggest names. Her marriage to rapper The Notorious B.I.G. — the father of Christopher Wallace Jr. — remains one of the most documented relationships in hip-hop history, following his murder in 1997.

Evans has continued to record and perform for decades since, cementing her reputation as a pioneering figure in R&B while also raising a blended family that spans several notable surnames in the entertainment industry.

What Comes Next

While Faith Evans’ achievements continue to dominate headlines surrounding the family, Joshua Russaw’s own career remains one to watch. He is reportedly continuing to develop his work as a producer and DJ, building on the connections and influence of his well-known relatives while attempting to establish an identity independent of his family name.

As for the newly dedicated Faith Evans Way, the sign now stands as a permanent fixture in Newark, a tribute not just to the singer’s musical accomplishments but to the family roots that shaped her journey — roots that Joshua and his siblings continue to carry forward.

Conclusion

Joshua Russaw may still be building his own name in music and entertainment, but moments like the Newark street dedication reveal how deeply rooted he remains in one of R&B’s most storied families. Standing beside his mother as “Faith Evans Way” was unveiled, Joshua represented the next generation of a legacy shaped by resilience, talent and community pride. As Faith Evans’ achievements continue to be honoured decades into her career, her children — Joshua included — are increasingly stepping into the spotlight alongside her, carrying the family’s influence into a new chapter.

FAQs

Who is Joshua Russaw?
Joshua Jahad Russaw is an American singer, DJ and music producer, best known as the son of R&B icon Faith Evans and her former husband, producer Todd Russaw.

How old is Joshua Russaw?
Joshua was born on 10 June 1998 in Los Angeles, California, making him 28 years old as of 2026.

Is Joshua Russaw related to The Notorious B.I.G.?
Yes, though not by blood. Joshua is the half-brother of Christopher Wallace Jr., the son of Faith Evans and the late rapper The Notorious B.I.G.

Why was Joshua Russaw in the news?
He was photographed alongside his mother at the June 2026 ceremony in Newark, New Jersey, where the city renamed a street “Faith Evans Way” in her honour.

What does Joshua Russaw do for a career?
He reportedly works as a singer, DJ and music producer, and has previously been linked to modelling work within the entertainment industry.

Does Joshua Russaw have siblings?
Yes. He has three siblings: Chyna Tahjere Griffin, Christopher Wallace Jr. and younger brother Ryder Evan Russaw.