Black Celebrities You Didn’t Know Were Related

Black Celebrities You Didn’t Know Were Related

Janelle Monae, Gabrielle Union, Lenny Kravitz and Ludacris all have celebrity family ties.

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Gabrielle Union is first cousins with rapper/songwriter Saweetie.
Gabrielle Union is first cousins with rapper/songwriter Saweetie.
Photo: MEGA / GC Images // Paul Archuleta (Getty Images)

We were curious to know just how many celebrities have family ties to another popular celeb. So we did some digging and here’s what we found: Many are connected as cousins; others are siblings or children of famous folks. Here are the Black celebs you didn’t know were related.

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Janelle Monae & Marsai Martin

Janelle Monae & Marsai Martin

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Photo: Leon Bennett (Getty Images)

The legendary pop star and the young talented actress both recently discovered they are cousins. In a September issue of InStyle Magazine, the stars said they found out they were related at a Golden Globes afterparty.

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Gabrielle Union & Saweetie

Gabrielle Union & Saweetie

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Photo: Gotham/GC Images // David Livingston (Getty Images)

Popular hip-hop artist Saweetie has a famous actress as a cousin. Gabrielle Union is the first cousin of Saweetie’s father, which would make them first cousins once removed.

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Cory Booker & RuPaul

Cory Booker & RuPaul

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Screenshot: RuPaul/YouTube

This is the most random relation on here, former presidential candidate Cory Booker shocked everyone when he appeared on an episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race and referred to the popular TV personality as his “cousin.” Turns out it’s true.

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Beyoncé & Bianca Lawson

Beyoncé & Bianca Lawson

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Photo: JC Olivera/WireImage // Frazer Harrison (Getty Images)

Beyoncé’s family is just filled with celebrities. The two aren’t related by blood, but they’re still family. Queen Bey and Bianca Lawson are step-sisters. Richard Lawson, Bianca’s father, married Tina Knowles, Beyoncé’s mother in 2015 and the two became family.

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Lenny Kravitz & Al Roker

Lenny Kravitz & Al Roker

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Photo: Al Pereira/WireImage (Getty Images)

Another random relation nobody would’ve guessed. The long-time weatherman is first cousins once removed with the eclectic actor and singer. Kravitz’s mother, Roxie Roker, is Al’s first cousin.

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Snoop Dogg, Ray J, & Brandy

Snoop Dogg, Ray J, & Brandy

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Photo: Brian Stukes/WireImage // Jesse Grant (Getty Images)

Everyone and their mother knows that Brandy and Ray J are siblings. But did y’all know that the brother and sister duo are related to Snoop Dogg?

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Coco Jones and Mike Jones

Coco Jones and Mike Jones

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Photo: Frederick M. Brown (Getty Images)

Up-and-coming actress and singer Coco Jones has a football father. Mike Jones played in the NFL for 12 seasons and even won a Super Bowl in 2000 with the St. Louis Rams.

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Ludacris & Monica

Ludacris & Monica

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Photo: Paras Griffin (Getty Images)

I guess music runs in the family. Ludacris and Monica are cousins and both have roots in the best city in the world, Atlanta, GA.

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Ludacris & Richard Pryor

Ludacris & Richard Pryor

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Photo: Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage // Michael Ochs Archives (Getty Images)

Geez Luda, how many celebrities are you related to?! The successful actor and rapper was distant cousins with legendary comedian Richard Pryor. I can see the resemblance.

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Yara Shahidi & Nas

Yara Shahidi & Nas

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Photo: Stefanie Keenan (Getty Images)

Yara Shahidi’s mother, Kara, is the first cousin of the Queens MC, which makes Nas and Yara first cousins once removed.

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Viola Davis & Mike Colter

Viola Davis & Mike Colter

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Photo: Amy Sussman // Emma McIntyre (Getty Images)

Good genes? The two successful actors are cousins and have been making movies and TV shows for years. They only just met four years ago but acknowledged that their families are always talking about the pair of actors at the family reunions.

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Coi Leray & Benzino

Coi Leray & Benzino

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Photo: Paras Griffin // Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan (Getty Images)

The popular rapper is the daughter of Benzino, who is an artist, record producer and TV personality.

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Pharell & Timbaland

Pharell & Timbaland

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Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage (Getty Images)

Who would’ve thought that two of the best and most prolific producers of the 21st century happen to be cousins?

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Damon Dash & Stacey Dash

Damon Dash & Stacey Dash

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Photo: J.Sciulli/WireImage (Getty Images)

Maybe it’s just me, but I had no idea these two entertainers were cousins.

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Da Brat & LisaRaye

Da Brat & LisaRaye

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Photo: Rick Diamond/WireImage (Getty Images)

This one absolutely shocked me. Da Brat is a veteran rapper who’s been in the industry for years and LisaRaye has been an actress for more than 30 years. Who knew they were sisters?!

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