Latto

Latto's unadulterated confidence and Southern flavour have made her a standout in the 2020s golden era of women rappers. Born in 1998, Alyssa Michelle Stephens was raised in Atlanta and began writing raps at age 10. At 16, the artist formerly known as Mulatto won The Rap Game, a music competition reality show hosted by legendary producer Jermaine Dupri, but ultimately turned down the prize (a deal with Dupri’s So So Def Records) to stay independent and self-release mixtapes while working the Georgia circuit. Her breakout single, 2019’s taunting “B*tch from Da Souf”, proved her growth from a fledgling teen artist and expertly showcased her trap influences and cleverly brash bars. It also landed her a record deal with RCA Records shortly after its release. The song catapulted Latto's career and positioned her alongside other female artists: Saweetie and rap icon Trina guest on “B*tch from Da Souf (Remix)”, and Latto made a cameo in Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion's provocative, empowering “WAP” video. On 2020's “Muwop” from her debut album, Queen of Da Souf, she flips Gucci Mane’s 2007 hit “Freaky Gurl”, borrowing his flow and proudly embracing her sexual prowess, much like her peers. “I think it’s only up from here,” she told Apple Music. “Every day, it’s a new female rapper going viral on the internet… Now [kids] got a lot [of women rappers] to choose from, and we all different.” Latto may be one of many, but she’s also one of a kind.