Dating a single father changed everything for Mariah the Scientist, and she’s urging other women to consider it too. The R&B singer, born Mariah Amani Buckles, opened up about her relationship with rapper Young Thug, whose career exists within the often volatile world of hip-hop, as detailed in related coverage of the recent tragedy involving Chicago rapper Munna Duke. Speaking from her heart, the Atlanta native shared how being with Young Thug, a father of six, gave her a front-row seat to the realities of parenting and family life.
Her advice? Don’t shy away from dating men with kids, because it might just teach you more about family than you ever expected. Mariah, 27, admitted she initially hesitated about dating someone with children.
“I was one of those women who thought, ‘I don’t want to date a man with kids,’”
She said in an interview.
But her perspective shifted after getting to know Young Thug, who became a father at 17 and now co-parents six children with four different women. Watching him navigate fatherhood showed her the ins and outs of parenting, from the challenges to the joys, in a way she never anticipated.
“It’s taught me more about a family unit than anything I could have ever imagined,”
She explained, calling parenting “very interesting” and “hard.”
The couple’s journey began in early 2021 when Mariah reached out to Young Thug for a professional collaboration, leading to their song “Walked In” and its wedding-themed music video. By October 2021, their connection turned romantic, and they have been a public item since, even through the most challenging times.
Mariah’s loyalty has been on full display since Young Thug was arrested in May 2022 on RICO and gang-related charges tied to his YSL Records collective, a situation reminiscent of our previous reporting on how other rap feuds have escalated dangerously. Throughout his ongoing incarceration and high-profile trial, she has remained a steadfast supporter, communicating with him daily and leading “Free Thug” chants at her concerts. Her unwavering presence has been a constant as they navigate this difficult chapter, with Mariah openly discussing their future and the possibility of marriage.
Mariah’s experience with Young Thug’s family life reshaped her views, especially coming from a structured upbringing with a church-working mother and a police officer father. She saw firsthand how co-parenting works, even earning praise from one of Young Thug’s children’s mothers for helping him stay connected with his kids during his incarceration.
This dynamic inspired Mariah to encourage other women to embrace relationships with single fathers.
“You’re seeing parenting in real time,”
She said, highlighting how such experiences reveal the strength and complexity of family bonds, whether the parents are together or not.
