Kanan Stark is a fictional character from the popular Starz television series Power. He is portrayed by actor 50 Cent. Kanan is one of the main antagonists in the earlier seasons of the show, before becoming more of an anti-hero character in later seasons.
A major subplot in Power revolves around who the mother of Kanan’s son is. Kanan has a son named Shawn, who he cares for deeply despite his cold exterior. The identity of Shawn’s mother has been a mystery that has intrigued fans since the beginning.
Kanan’s History with Women
Throughout the show, Kanan has been involved with several women who potentially could be Shawn’s mother. These include:
- Jukebox – Kanan dated Jukebox when they were teenagers. Their relationship ended badly.
- Anika – A fling Kanan had before going to prison.
- LaVerne “Jukebox” Ganner – Jukebox’s mother, who Kanan also had a relationship with when he was young.
- Unnamed woman – Kanan mentions getting a woman from North Carolina pregnant, which may refer to Shawn’s mother.
Kanan is not the most forthcoming about the details of his past relationships. He tends to play things close to the vest, so identifying Shawn’s mother through his own admissions is difficult.
Clues About Shawn’s Mother in the Show
Though Kanan is secretive about Shawn’s mom, there are some clues sprinkled throughout the show that suggest who she might be:
- Kanan was dating Jukebox around the time Shawn was conceived.
- Kanan did spend time in North Carolina where he may have gotten a woman pregnant.
- A conversation between Kanan and Jukebox implies she believes she is Shawn’s mother.
- LaVerne “Jukebox” Ganner matches Shawn’s age and history with Kanan.
While not definitive, these clues point strongly to either Jukebox or her mother LaVerne as the likely candidates to be Shawn’s elusive mother.
Why the Mystery Exists
There are a few reasons why Kanan seems to be secretive about Shawn’s mother’s identity:
- He cut ties completely when he went to jail – Kanan had no contact with his family or friends during his time in prison. This severed his connection to Shawn’s mom.
- He wants to protect her identity – Being associated with Kanan can be dangerous, so he may want to shield her for her own safety.
- Their relationship ended poorly – A bad breakup provides motive for Kanan to avoid the subject of Shawn’s mother.
Kanan also seems determined to be the sole parental figure in Shawn’s life. Bringing up Shawn’s mother could invite her back into the picture, which Kanan may not want.
Jukebox as the Most Likely Candidate
Though never 100% confirmed in the show, the evidence points most strongly to Jukebox being Shawn’s biological mother. Here is a more detailed look at the reasoning behind this conclusion:
- Jukebox and Kanan dated as teens – They were romantically involved around the time Shawn would have been born.
- Jukebox believes she is Shawn’s mom – She directly asks Kanan at one point if Shawn is her son.
- The timeline fits – Based on Jukebox and Shawn’s respective ages, she falls within the realm of possibility.
- LaVerne is less likely – She doesn’t show much direct connection to or interest in Shawn during the show.
While Kanan neither confirms nor denies Jukebox’s maternity outright, he does not correct her when she asks him about it. This subtle non-denial can be read as tacit confirmation that Jukebox did indeed give birth to Shawn.
The Significance of the Reveal
Assuming Jukebox is Shawn’s mother, this reveal would have major implications for several characters and relationships on the show:
- It would strengthen the bond between Jukebox and Shawn – They could develop a mother-son relationship.
- It would complicate things between Kanan and Jukebox – Their romantic history would be cemented by a child.
- It might explain Kanan’s loyalty to Jukebox – He protects Jukebox out of duty as the mother of his son.
- Shawn would gain a deeper connection to his family history – He would understand his roots better.
In essence, confirming Jukebox as Shawn’s mother would tie several characters’ narratives together in a more complex way. It would add a new familial wrinkle to the show’s plot and character dynamics.
Conclusion
In the Power universe, the question of who Kanan’s baby mama is has intrigued fans ever since his son Shawn was introduced. Though never explicitly revealed, the evidence strongly suggests that Jukebox is the most likely candidate to be Shawn’s biological mother.
This would make dramatic sense based on Jukebox and Kanan’s history together. It would also explain Kanan’s enduring devotion to protecting Jukebox, as well as her own belief that Shawn is her son. Until proven otherwise, Jukebox can be considered the probable mother of Kanan’s child Shawn.
This reveal would significantly impact many characters and relationships on the show. It would strengthen the familial bonds between Jukebox, Kanan and Shawn. It would also further complicate the dramatic history between Kanan and Jukebox. Though still ambiguous in the show’s canon, unofficially the answer to Shawn’s maternity seems to point squarely in the direction of Jukebox.
Other Possibilities
While Jukebox is the most likely candidate for being Shawn’s mother, there are a few other possibilities that cannot be completely ruled out:
- LaVerne “Jukebox” Ganner – Jukebox’s own mother was involved with Kanan around the right timeframe. However, she shows little interest in or connection to Shawn during the show.
- Anika – Kanan had a brief fling with Anika before going to prison. But the timeline does not quite match up with Shawn’s age.
- Unnamed North Carolina woman – Kanan made vague reference to getting a woman from North Carolina pregnant. But no supporting details were provided.
- Someone completely unknown – It is possible Kanan had a relationship the audience and other characters are unaware of.
These alternate possibilities are weaker and more speculative than Jukebox. But without explicit confirmation, the door is still slightly open that someone besides Jukebox could have given birth to Shawn.
Closing Thoughts
The question of Shawn’s maternity has been a long-running mystery on Power. All signs indicate Jukebox is the most probable candidate for being Kanan’s baby mama. But the show has yet to provide definitive closure on this plot point.
Hopefully in future seasons or spinoffs, fans will finally get a concrete answer directly from Kanan on the true identity of Shawn’s mother. Her reveal would add a new dimension to the relationships between these pivotal characters on the show. For now, viewers are left to draw their own conclusions based on the breadcrumbs of clues sprinkled throughout Kanan and Jukebox’s relationship history.