Ja Rule revealed he’s about to become a grandfather after a surprise announcement from his daughter, and says he’ll be going by “Big Poppa.”
Ja Rule learned he’s about to become a grandfather during a surprise reveal from his daughter Brittney Aitken, and the 49-year-old rapper is embracing the new title—with a twist.
The Hip-Hop veteran shared the personal news during an appearance on the daytime talk show “Sherri” Thursday, October 16).
Ja Rule told host Sherri Shepherd, “I’m about to be a grandfather.” He followed up with a laugh, adding, “It doesn’t even sound right.”
Brittney, 30, is expecting her first child with husband Tevin Aitken, and she broke the news to her parents with a heartfelt gesture.
“She put the sonogram in a box and a card that said, ‘You are now a grandma and grandfather,’” Ja Rule said. “She said, ‘I got a gift for you guys.’ And we thought it was a real gift. I mean, that is a real gift, don’t get me wrong! … So we go and open it up, and she has the camera on me to see me and my wifey’s expressions. It was an amazing moment.”
The rapper reflected on the generational shift in his family. “This is how it’s supposed to be,” he said, noting that his own parents weren’t quite as thrilled when he first announced he was going to be a dad.
Already leaning into his new identity, Ja Rule revealed he wants to be called “Big Poppa”—a nod to The Notorious B.I.G.’s 1994 classic. Shepherd presented him with a custom cardigan embroidered with the nickname on the back. “I love it,” he said, grinning. “Big Poppa is in the building.”
Brittney, the only daughter of Ja Rule and his wife of 24 years, Aisha Atkins, tied the knot with Tevin Aitken earlier this year. Their wedding received coverage in People magazine.