Chingy couldn’t have expected a rare glimpse into his private family life would turn into a weeklong battle with backlash from social media commenters, but he found out the hard way.

As previously reported, the hit 2000’s rapper took time during his recent interview with ‘The Jason Lee Show’  to reveal actor Isaiah Russell-Bailey (most famous for his role as “Shaka” on Netflix comedy ‘Family Reunion‘) is his youngest son.

The admission led to Russell-Bailey confirming the rumor mill’s belief that Chingy was not very involved in his life, even taking to Threads on Thursday night (September 10) to slam the Hip-Hop star for being an “absent” and “neglectful” father.

As Isaiah’s bombshell open letter continued to make its rounds on the net the following day, his ‘Right Thurr‘-performing dad issued his own statement to right and possibly rewrite the narrative.

In an exclusive statement issued to our friends at TSR on Friday (September 11), Chingy (born Howard Bailey Jr.) addressed the stinging criticism listed in his son’s lengthy letter.

“I do not believe a public forum is the place to discuss private family matters, but as this situation has grown and people have formed opinions based on only part of the story, I feel the need to speak from my heart,” Chingy opened before sharing, “Isaiah is my son. I love him, I’m proud of him, and nothing will ever change that. He has every right to talk about how he experienced his childhood. If he feels hurt, disappointed, or believes I wasn’t there enough, I’m not going to tell him those feelings aren’t real.”

And while revealing Isaiah’s statements were “difficult to hear,” Chingy refuted the young man’s claim his absence was due to lack of effort.

“I also know the efforts I made to communicate, connect, and be part of his life. Those were private conversations, obstacles, and complicated family circumstances that the public did not see,” said the rapper ahead of relaying, “I understand that financial support does not replace a father’s presence. However, I contributed more than $200,000 in child support and made sincere efforts to maintain a relationship with him. The suggestion I did not care, contribute, or try to be involved does not reflect the truth.”

All-in-all, Chingy is optimistic the two can resolve their issues one day.

“…I want Isaiah to know one thing clearly: your father loves you. I always have, and I always will. My hope is that one day we can sit down privately, father to son, and have the conversation that truly matters,” the ‘One Call Away’ performer concluded.

At the time of this report, Russell-Bailey nor his mother has issued a public statement in response to Chingy’s address.

[photo source: Photobook Magazine]

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