Latto

Alyssa Michelle Stephens, professionally known as Latto, was born on December 22, 1998, in Columbus, Ohio, and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. She grew up in Clayton County, a place she credits for shaping her street credibility. Latto is of mixed race, with a white mother and an African American father, and she faced bullying in school for her light skin. This experience inspired her early stage name, Miss Mulatto, referencing the “mulatto” racial classification. By the age of ten, Latto had already decided to pursue a career in rap and began writing her own songs. Before fully committing to music, she was involved in drag racing, showcasing her multifaceted interests at a young age.

Latto first gained widespread attention in 2016 when she appeared on the Lifetime reality TV show The Rap Game, created by Jermaine Dupri and Queen Latifah. Competing as Miss Mulatto, she won the first season of the show, but despite being offered a recording contract with Dupri’s So So Def Recordings, she turned it down, citing that the deal did not meet her financial expectations. Instead, she chose to forge her own path as an independent artist, releasing music that would soon catapult her into mainstream success.

Her breakout moment came in 2019 with the release of “Bitch from da Souf,” a hit that marked her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned double platinum certification from the RIAA. The song’s popularity led to her signing with RCA Records and set the stage for her debut studio album, Queen of da Souf (2020). The album, featuring collaborations with big names like Gucci Mane on the platinum-certified single “Muwop,” performed well on the charts, reaching number 44 on the Billboard 200. During this period, she also gained visibility through high-profile performances, including a cameo in Cardi B’s “WAP” music video.

In 2021, Latto made a significant shift in her career by changing her stage name to Latto, responding to criticism over the racial implications of her previous moniker. The name change coincided with the release of “Big Energy,” a massive commercial success that peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the biggest songs of her career. The song also received a triple platinum certification and a Grammy nomination, further solidifying her place in the mainstream. “Big Energy” was the lead single for her second studio album, 777 (2022), which peaked at number 15 on the Billboard 200.

Latto continued to rise in 2023 with her first chart-topping hit, Jungkook’s single “Seven,” where she was featured. This collaboration, along with her single “Put It on da Floor Again” featuring Cardi B, kept her presence strong in the charts. “Put It on da Floor Again” served as the lead single for her third studio album, Sugar Honey Iced Tea (2024), which matched the commercial success of her previous album.

Throughout her career, Latto has garnered numerous accolades, including BET Awards, a Billboard Music Award, and an MTV Video Music Award. She was also part of the XXL Freshman Class of 2020 and received a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 2023. Latto’s ability to blend assertive lyrics with catchy hooks has made her one of the most dynamic figures in hip hop today.