Lil Shxwn Biography: Age, Parents, Net Worth, Songs, Albums, Girlfriend, Family, Kids

Biography

Lil Shxwn (born Shawn Thomas Jr.) is a talented American rapper from St. Louis, Missouri, best known as the nephew of hip-hop icon Nelly.

Raised in the vibrant St. Louis rap scene and adopted by Nelly following family challenges, he gained early exposure through the BET reality series Nellyville.

Lil Shxwn has released tracks like “Leave” (featuring Yungeen Ace) and “No Acting,” blending personal storytelling with contemporary hip-hop vibes.

An active content creator, he streams on platforms like Kick and shares life updates, including his recent announcement that he’s expecting a son.

American rapper
Lil Shxwn
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Shawn Thomas Jr.
Stage Name:	Lil Shxwn
Born:	28 February 1998 (age 27 years old)
Place of Birth:	St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Nationality:	American
Education:	N/A
Height:	1.68 m
Parents:	Jacqueline “Jackie” Donahue, Shawn Thomas Sr.
Siblings:	Sydney Thomas
Spouse:	Not Married
Girlfriend • Partner:	Kristia
Children:	Mahalia Thomas
Occupation:	Rapper • Songwriter
Net Worth:	$100,000-$5 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Lil Shxwn, whose real name is Shawn Thomas Jr., was born on February 28, 1998, in St. Louis, Missouri, growing up on the city’s west side in neighborhoods like Maple and Union.

He was immersed in the local hip-hop scene from a young age during its peak in the early 2000s. Tragedy struck early when his biological mother, Jacqueline “Jackie” Donahue (sister of rapper Nelly), passed away from leukemia in March 2005 when he was only 7 years old.

Following her death, Shawn and his younger sister were adopted by their uncle, Nelly (Cornell Haynes Jr.), who became his primary parental figure and raised him alongside Nelly‘s own biological children—daughter Chanelle Haynes and son Cornell Haynes III—in a blended family household that was later featured on the 2014-2015 BET reality series Nellyville.

His biological father is Shawn Thomas Sr., though limited public details are available about him. Shawn has one younger sister, Sydney Thomas (nicknamed “Stink“), who was also adopted by Nelly and remains close to him. He is African American and identifies as Christian.

Details about his formal education are not widely publicized, with his upbringing centered more on family experiences, exposure to the music industry through Nelly, and personal growth in St. Louis rather than documented academic milestones.

Career

Lil Shxwn began pursuing music as a teenager in St. Louis, shaped by the city’s hip-hop culture and early exposure to the industry through his uncle, Nelly.

Inspired by artists such as Bow Wow and Lil Wayne, he viewed rap as a blend of storytelling and high-energy production. His first experience performing came with Yung Westsydaz, a group created by his cousin.

During his appearance on Nellyville (2014–2015), he publicly expressed his ambitions to become a hip-hop artist and joined a rising group supported by Nelly.

As an independent artist, he released several early singles, including Chalk Talk (around 2021), followed by Time Lost, Spoiler, and Bad Lil Baddie in 2023. One of his first major milestones was headlining a sold-out hometown show at The Pageant, where fans filled the venue and sang his lyrics back to him—an experience he has called a turning point in his confidence and visibility.

His career accelerated in 2025 with the release of Leave featuring Yungeen Ace. The dance-driven single received nationwide radio support, being added to 55 stations across the United States—32 urban and 23 rhythmic formats—and ranking as the third most-added track in both categories at its peak. The song’s momentum extended to sports arenas, including a play during a Boston Celtics game, and the official music video further amplified its reach.

Despite his family connection to a global superstar, Lil Shxwn consistently emphasizes forging his own identity in the industry, guided by Nelly’s advice but grounded in authenticity and hard work. Throughout 2025, he appeared in multiple interviews discussing his growth, influences, and desire to succeed on his own merits.

He is currently developing his anticipated debut project, with “Leave” as the lead single. Alongside music, he has expanded into content creation, including live streams on Kick beginning in late 2025, where he engages fans with gaming content and personal updates.

His goal is to build a multifaceted brand and deliver music that connects with a wide range of listeners across moods and experiences.

Social Media

• Instagram: Lil Shxwn (@lilshxwnn)
• Facebook: Lil Shxwn (@lilshxwn)
• YouTube: Lil Shxwn
• Twitter: Lil Shxwn (@LilShxwn) / X

Personal Life

Lil Shxwn (born Shawn Thomas Jr. on February 28, 1998) is 27 years old.

He is not married and has no history of marriage. Lil Shxwn has been in a long-term relationship with his girlfriend, Kristia, and the couple welcomed their first child together, a daughter named Mahalia Thomas, in July 2020.

They documented the labor and delivery experience in a YouTube video titled “WE HAD A BABY! Labor & Delivery Of Our First Baby! (Welcome Home Mahalia).”

Lil Shxwn‘s height is approximately 1.68 m.

Net Worth

Lil Shxwn‘s net worth is estimated to range from $100,000 to $5 million.

This figure reflects his earnings from music releases, including breakout tracks like “Leave” featuring Yungeen Ace; live performances, such as his sold-out headline show at The Pageant in St. Louis; streaming revenue across platforms; and content creation activities, such as gaming streams on Kick.

As an emerging independent artist building momentum with an upcoming debut project, his financial growth is tied to his rising visibility in the hip-hop scene and online presence.

Discography

• Leave (feat. Yungeen Ace) — 2025 (his breakout hit, a dance/club record with widespread radio play and an official music video)
• Chalk Talk — around 2021
• Time Lost — 2021–2023 era
• Spoiler (feat. Bandit & Stahtistics in some references)
• Bad Lil Baddie — 2023
• No Acting (feat. Jslutty)
• Do What I Want (feat. TheWickerTwinz)
• Top Off (feat. NoahMadeSMK)
• Lately
• Talm Bout
• Why Now

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