Joshua Russaw: Faith Evans’ Son Carving His Own Path in Music

Joshua Russaw, born June 8, 1998, is a DJ and music producer performing as JAHAD. The son of Grammy-winning singer Faith Evans, he serves as her official tour DJ and releases music independently through SoundCloud. He blends R&B influences with modern production, building a career separate from his family’s fame.

Joshua Russaw was born into R&B royalty, but he’s building his own sound. The son of Grammy-winning singer Faith Evans came into the world on June 8, 1998, and spent his childhood surrounded by studio sessions and tour buses. Now 26, he’s stepped out from his mother’s shadow with a career as a DJ and music producer under the stage name JAHAD.

Most people know him as Faith Evans’s son. His father, Todd Russaw, worked as a music executive and later married his mother in 1998, the same year Joshua was born. But Joshua isn’t riding on family connections alone—he’s spent years learning the craft, building his sound, and earning tour credits that prove he belongs behind the decks.

Who is Joshua Russaw?

Joshua Jahad Russaw is a DJ, music producer, and performer who works professionally as JAHAD. Born in Los Angeles, he grew up watching his mother, Faith Evans, record albums and perform for sold-out crowds. Music wasn’t just background noise in his house—it was the family business.

He has three siblings: Chyna Tahjere Griffin (from Faith’s previous relationship), Christopher “C.J.” Wallace Jr. (Faith’s son with The Notorious B.I.G.), and Ryder Evan Russaw (his younger brother from Faith and Todd’s marriage). Growing up with famous relatives taught Joshua what the music industry demands. He saw the work, the discipline, and the constant travel that come with an entertainment career.

Instead of chasing solo stardom, Joshua focused on production and DJing. He started building his reputation quietly, taking gigs where he could learn the technical side of music. By his early twenties, he had earned a spot as his mother’s official tour DJ—a position that put him in front of thousands of fans.

Early Life and Family

Joshua’s childhood played out between Los Angeles and New York, two cities that shaped American hip-hop and R&B. His mother, Faith Evans, was already an established artist when he was born. She had released three studio albums by 1998 and won fans with her powerful voice and emotional delivery.

His father, Todd Russaw, worked behind the scenes in music management. The marriage brought stability to Faith’s life after years of public scrutiny following the death of her first husband, Christopher Wallace (The Notorious B.I.G.). Joshua grew up understanding that his family’s history was part of hip-hop’s story, but he also learned to separate himself from that weight.

The Russaw household ran on music. Faith recorded at home studios, and industry professionals stopped by regularly. Joshua absorbed everything—the equipment setups, the mixing boards, the way producers layered sounds. He didn’t just hear music; he studied how it was made.

Finding Music: The Early Spark

Joshua got his first DJ controller at 14. While other teenagers posted selfies, he was on YouTube watching tutorial videos about beat matching and transitions. He practiced in his bedroom for hours, mixing tracks from his mother’s catalog with contemporary hip-hop beats.

His early influences came from the producers his mother worked with—people like Stevie J and Sean “Diddy” Combs. But Joshua also pulled from newer sounds. He listened to trap, house, and electronic music, looking for ways to blend old-school R&B grooves with modern production.

By 16, he was playing at small parties for friends. The technical side came naturally. He understood tempo, knew how to read a crowd, and could adjust his set on the fly. What started as a hobby turned serious when he realized he preferred being behind the music rather than in front of it.

From Joshua to JAHAD: Stage Name and Creative Identity

The stage name JAHAD came from a simple place—Joshua wanted something that felt personal but professional. He took the first three letters of his middle name (Jahad) and made it his brand. The name appears on all his social media, his SoundCloud tracks, and his tour credits.

As JAHAD, he defines his sound as “soul meets bass.” He pulls R&B vocals and samples from the 90s and early 2000s, then layers them over modern trap and house beats. The result feels nostalgic but current—music that works in a nightclub or during a concert intermission.

In a 2019 interview with Voyage LA Magazine, Joshua described his approach: he wants people to feel something when they hear his sets. He’s not chasing viral moments or trying to prove he’s different from his mother. He’s building a catalog that shows respect for the past while pushing forward.

Professional Work: DJ, Producer, and Tour Credits

Joshua’s biggest professional credit is his role as official tour DJ for Faith Evans. He joined her tour in 2017 and has traveled with her across the United States ever since. The gig requires more than just playing tracks between songs—he opens shows, handles transitions during costume changes, and creates live remixes of Faith’s hits.

Touring with his mother taught him how to perform under pressure. He learned to adjust his sets based on venue size, crowd energy, and technical problems that pop up mid-show. Those skills carried over to his solo work.

Outside of touring, Joshua produces tracks for independent artists and releases his own music on SoundCloud. He’s collaborated with vocalists in Los Angeles and worked on remixes that blend classic R&B samples with contemporary production. His producer credits remain mostly underground, but that’s by design—he’s focused on building a body of work before chasing mainstream attention.

Notable Appearances

In 2020, the Russaw family appeared on Celebrity Family Feud, giving fans a rare look at their dynamic outside of music. Joshua also participated in magazine features and online interviews where he discussed his creative process and growing up in a famous family. These appearances helped build his public profile without relying solely on his mother’s fame.

What He’s Releasing and Where to Hear Him

Joshua releases music primarily through SoundCloud under the name jahad. His page features original mixes, remixes of popular tracks, and experimental beats that showcase his range. He updates the page sporadically—when he has something worth sharing, not on a rigid schedule.

His Instagram handle @jahadrussaw gives fans a window into his life. He posts studio sessions, tour photos, and behind-the-scenes clips from shows. The account shows his process more than polished final products. You’ll see him testing equipment, working on new beats, and interacting with other artists.

For listeners wanting to hear his work, SoundCloud is the best starting point. His mixes run 15 to 45 minutes and demonstrate his ability to create flow across different genres. He doesn’t have a major streaming presence yet—no Spotify profile packed with albums—but his SoundCloud catalog shows consistent output and growth.

Personal Notes and Public Image

Joshua keeps his personal life relatively private. Unlike many celebrity children who build followings through reality TV or constant social media updates, he lets his work speak first. His Instagram shows his professional side more than his personal moments.

He maintains a low-key image. No public feuds, no controversy, no attempts to cash in on his family name through shortcuts. This approach has earned respect from people who know how easy it would be for him to take a different path.

Those who know him describe someone serious about craft over clout. He shows up, does the work, and doesn’t need constant validation. That attitude reflects how he was raised—watching his mother handle fame with grace while dealing with loss and public pressure.

Why Joshua Russaw Matters

Joshua Russaw represents a new generation of music professionals who understand the business has changed. He’s not chasing a record deal or waiting for someone to discover him. He’s building his career one gig at a time, learning the technical side of music production, and creating a brand that can sustain itself.

His connection to Faith Evans opens doors, but he’s proven he can deliver once those doors open. Tour promoters don’t hire someone just because of their last name—they hire people who can perform. Joshua has shown he can handle that pressure.

What comes next for JAHAD? Likely more touring, more production credits, and a continued focus on developing his sound. He’s 26—still early in a career that could go many directions. Whether he stays behind the scenes or eventually steps into a bigger spotlight, he’s already proven he’s more than “Faith Evans’ son.”