Blueface's Untold Family Story — From Homelessness to Hip-Hop Stardom

Blueface, born Johnathan Jamall Porter, had a tumultuous childhood marked by frequent moves between his separated parents.

Jamie Lerner - Author
By

Updated April 15 2024, 11:55 a.m. ET

A closeup of Blueface at an event.
Source: Getty Images

Hip-hop and rapper Blueface is always in the news for something. If it’s not the 2022 attempted murder he was arrested for, then it’s the naked photos of his baby he shared to ask for advice. Naturally, Blueface’s mother, Karlissa Saffold, had something to say as she lifts up her family’s image in their Patreon reality series, CixoT: The Real LA Family Blues.

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Blueface first gained notoriety with his 2018 song, “Respect My Crippin’,” followed by his even more popular “Thotiana,” in which he references his ex-football career. Born Johnathan Jamall Porter on Jan. 20, 1997, Blueface now has 3 million Instagram followers, which shows how popular he’s grown over the past few years. But who are Blueface’s parents?

Rapper Blueface (R) and his son Javaughn J. Porter attend a basketball game.
Source: Getty Images
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Blueface’s mom is Karissa Saffold and his father is Johnathan Michael Porter Sr.

While Blueface has been relatively quiet about his childhood, we’ve learned a bit throughout the years. He told No Jumper that he moved around a lot between his parents, who separated in 2000, and dealt with various custody battles after that. He went to several elementary schools before he moved in with his mom in Santa Clarity Valley.

When his dad, Johnathan Michael Porter Sr., moved to Oakland, Blueface stayed with him instead. Reports suggest that although Johnathan stays out of the limelight, he and his son are still close. Johnathan was reportedly a coach and although he once lived in Oakland, it’s unclear where he lives now.

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Blueface's mom Karlissa, on the other hand, has followed in her son’s footsteps towards fame. She was a homemaker throughout his childhood, but she remarried to Sterling Saffold in April 2018. Sterling played football for the San Diego Chargers and is currently a motivational speaker and mentor for young athletes.

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While Karlissa produces her family’s reality series, she also founded Angelic Fitness in 2020, and she works as a fitness and transformational coach to women who want to lose weight. Now, Karlissa lives in Columbus, Ohio with Sterling after a 2021 argument with Blueface and his then-girlfriend.

According to Rap-Up, Blueface kicked his mom and younger sister, Kali, out of his home. Surveillance video shows Karlissa showing up with Kali unannounced because she was tired of Kali “freeloading” off of her. However, Blueface wasn’t supportive of this and kicked them both out.

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“[Since] they wanna go viral so bad, this the real story: My mom got tired of my broke ass sister free-loading at her house so she brought her to mine, [and] I wasn’t going for it,” he said. “I already got her an apartment guess that wasn’t enough she want my car she want me to buy her a car off the lot an some more stuff. [sic]

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Blueface revealed that he was homeless for years when he got into gang life, which he promised his mom he would never do. However, when she wouldn’t take him in out of his car, he “had to thug it out.” In doing so, he made a name for himself rapping, and now has a net worth of $4 million.

Was Blueface's mom in 'Soul Plane'?

There are theories floating around that Blueface's mom made a brief appearance in the 2004 film Soul Plane. And it appears those theories may be correct. In a scene where the camera pans over several passengers on a flight, we see Karlissa sitting in a seat.

In a clip shared by TikTok user Livebitez, Karlissa explains that she snagged to role because "she knew somebody that knew somebody that knew her agent." She further confirmed that she is the person in the background yellling, "Get his ass."

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Blueface is also a parent to three children.

Blueface was more recently dating Chrisean Rock, with whom he had a son earlier in 2023. But before he dated her, he had two children with Jaidyn Alexis, whom he seems to be taking a break from while in jail. Throughout the years, Karlissa has often clashed with Blueface’s partners. The drama regarding the nude picture of Blueface’s infant son is just one of the arguments between Chrisean and Karlissa.

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