When Shaniece Hairston dropped that birthday post in June 2024, the internet basically stopped breathing for a second. There she was, looking gorgeous on a beach, sporting a very clear baby bump, and dropping the caption: "Happy Father's Day baby daddy." Naturally, everyone lost their minds. Who was it? Was it an athlete? A low-key businessman?
The answer turned out to be much louder.
Jayceon Taylor, better known to the world as the West Coast rap heavyweight The Game, is the father of Shaniece Hairston's son.
If you’ve followed the Lozada family tree since the early days of Basketball Wives, this felt like a massive crossover episode nobody saw coming. We’ve watched Shaniece grow up on screen alongside her mom, Evelyn Lozada. She was always the quiet, yoga-loving, grounded daughter who steered clear of the typical reality TV mess. But entering a co-parenting dynamic with one of the most outspoken rappers in the industry? That’s a whole different ball game.
Breaking Down the Timeline
It wasn't just a random hookup that came out of nowhere. If you look back, the breadcrumbs were there. In December 2023, Shaniece and The Game were spotted grabbing dinner at Nobu in Malibu on Christmas Eve. They left together in his black G-Wagon, looking very much like a "thing."
At the time, people were skeptical. The Game is 45, and Shaniece is 31. There’s a 14-year age gap, which isn't wild by Hollywood standards, but it was enough to get the comment sections buzzing. Fast forward six months, and the pregnancy announcement confirmed that the Nobu date was way more than just a friendly dinner.
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The Arrival of Baby Blaze
Shaniece gave birth to their son, Blaze, in October 2024. For a while, things were kept pretty private. Shaniece has always been protective of her peace, and she didn't rush to post the baby all over Instagram.
The Game eventually confirmed the news himself in December 2024, sharing a photo and acknowledging his new son. It’s his fourth child, joining Harlem, Bryce, and Cali Dream. For Shaniece, Blaze is her first, and she’s been very vocal about how much she loves being a mom—even if the road to getting there was paved with a lot of internet noise.
Dealing with the "Best Friend" Rumors
Honestly, the messiest part of this whole situation wasn't the age gap or the surprise pregnancy. It was the drama involving The Game's ex-fiancée, Tiffney Cambridge.
If you remember the show Marrying The Game, you know Tiffney. For years, rumors swirled that Evelyn Lozada and Tiffney were best friends. This led to people accusing Shaniece of "betraying" her mother’s friend by having a baby with her ex. Social media was ruthless, calling the situation "incestuous" and "messy."
Evelyn and Shaniece finally addressed this on their podcast, Drop the Lo, in 2025. They didn't hold back:
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- The "Best Friend" Lie: Evelyn clarified that she and Tiffney were never best friends. They were industry acquaintances who moved in the same circles.
- The Baby Shower Photo: A photo of Tiffney at Evelyn’s baby shower from over a decade ago kept resurfacing. Shaniece pointed out that just because someone attends an event doesn't mean they are inner-circle family.
- The "Lap" Rumor: There was a weird claim that Shaniece sat on The Game’s lap when she was a child. Evelyn shut that down immediately, calling it a total lie and stating that The Game was never around Shaniece when she was a kid.
It’s crazy how a narrative can take on a life of its own just because of a few old photos and some assumptions.
What Their Relationship Looks Like Now
So, are they still together?
In short: No.
By May 2025, Shaniece confirmed she was navigating life as a single mother. While the romantic flame might have cooled off, the co-parenting seems to be surprisingly solid. Evelyn Lozada actually spoke to In Touch about it, saying she was relieved when she found out The Game was the father.
"I was like, 'Well, who's the dad?' And then she told me—I found so much peace. Just knowing that he is a great dad, I knew my grandson was gonna be fine."
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The Game apparently even helped Shaniece come up with the name for her podcast. They’ve managed to keep the drama off the internet for the most part, which, considering both of their histories with reality TV, is a huge win. Shaniece remains focused on her wellness brand and yoga, while The Game continues his music and business ventures.
Why This Matters for the Lozada Legacy
Shaniece has spent years trying to build an identity outside of being "Evelyn's daughter." Having a child with a high-profile figure like The Game definitely puts her back in the spotlight, but she’s handled it with a lot of grace. She’s been firm about setting boundaries, especially when it comes to "baby trapping" accusations or people coming for her character.
At 31, she’s made it clear she knows exactly what she’s doing. She isn't a "child" having a kid; she's an adult woman who chose to start a family, even if the circumstances weren't what people expected.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Followers
If you're following the journey of Shaniece and her growing family, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Respect the Privacy Boundaries: Shaniece has been very intentional about not over-exposing Baby Blaze. Don't expect a 24/7 reality show look into his life.
- Check the Sources: As we saw with the Tiffney Cambridge rumors, internet narratives are often 90% fiction. If it doesn't come directly from their podcast or verified social media, take it with a grain of salt.
- Focus on the Growth: Moving from reality TV "daughter" to a business-owning "mother" is a big transition. Shaniece’s focus on yoga and mental health seems to be her way of staying grounded through the tabloid noise.
The "Shaniece Hairston baby father" mystery might be solved, but the story of how she navigates motherhood in the public eye is just beginning. She’s proven that you can co-parent effectively even when the world is waiting for you to fail.