Latto
Biography
Alyssa Michelle Stephens, known professionally as Latto, is an American rapper born on December 22, 1998, in Columbus, Ohio, and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. She began rapping at the age of ten. Identifying as biracial, she initially adopted the stage name Miss Mulatto. In January 2021, she officially changed her stage name to Latto following discussions about the term's origins.
Career Beginnings
Latto's career launched in 2016 when, at age 16, she competed in and won the first season of the reality television series "The Rap Game," produced by Jermaine Dupri and Queen Latifah. Known as Miss Mulatto on the show, she was offered a recording contract with Dupri's So So Def Records but turned it down to remain an independent artist. She then built a local following by releasing mixtapes and performing at various events.
Rise to Prominence
Latto's breakout moment came in 2019 with the release of her single "Bitch from da Souf". The song's success led to a record deal with RCA Records in 2020. A remix featuring Saweetie and Trina propelled the track onto the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 95. The song was certified double platinum by the RIAA. In August 2020, she released her debut studio album, "Queen of da Souf," which debuted at number 44 on the Billboard 200. The album also included the platinum-certified single "Muwop," featuring Gucci Mane.
Mainstream Success
Latto achieved wider mainstream recognition with her 2021 single "Big Energy". The song peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified triple platinum. It served as the lead single for her second studio album, "777," released in March 2022. The album, which featured artists like 21 Savage, Lil Wayne, and Childish Gambino, debuted at number 15 on the Billboard 200. In 2023, she earned her first number-one song on the Billboard Hot 100 with her feature on Jungkook's single "Seven".
Recent Work
In August 2024, Latto released her third studio album, "Sugar Honey Iced Tea," which features artists such as Megan Thee Stallion, Ciara, and Flo Milli. She also appeared as a judge on the Netflix series "Rhythm + Flow" alongside DJ Khaled and Ludacris.
Awards and Recognition
Latto has received numerous awards and nominations throughout her career. In 2022, she won Best New Artist at the BET Awards and the People's Choice Awards. Her song "Big Energy" won Song of the Year at the 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards. At the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in 2023, Latto was nominated for Best New Artist and Best Melodic Rap Performance for "Big Energy (Live)". In 2023, she won Best Female Hip Hop Artist at the BET Awards.