Saweetie

Diamonté Quiava Valentin Harper, known professionally as Saweetie, was born on July 2, 1993, in Santa Clara, California. She was raised in Hayward and later in Sacramento, Saweetie’s upbringing was influenced by a blend of cultural backgrounds. Her mother, Trinidad Valentin, is of Filipino and Chinese descent, while her father, Johnny Harper, is African-American. Saweetie attended Merrill F. West High School in Tracy and graduated from Monterey Trail High School in Elk Grove. At 13, she began writing music, a passion she pursued further at San Diego State University before transferring to the University of Southern California, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication.

Saweetie’s entry into the music industry was marked by a viral video of her freestyling over Khia’s “My Neck, My Back (Lick It)” on Instagram. This video caught the attention of producer and A&R executive Max Gousse, leading to her signing with Warner Records and his record label, Artistry Worldwide. Her debut single, “Icy Grl,” released in 2017, achieved double platinum status, establishing her as a notable artist in the rap scene. Despite a lukewarm reception for her debut EP, High Maintenance, the single “Icy Grl” became a significant hit and helped solidify her presence in the industry.

In early 2018, Saweetie was recognized by Tidal as their Artist of the Week and named one of Pigeons & Planes’s Best New Artists. That same year, she signed to Warner Bros. Records and launched her own record label, Icy Records. Her major label debut EP, High Maintenance, featured nine tracks produced by notable names like CashMoneyAP and Zaytoven. Although the EP did not chart extensively, it was a critical stepping stone in her career.

Saweetie’s breakthrough came with the release of her second EP, Icy, in March 2019. The project’s lead single, “My Type,” which samples Petey Pablo’s “Freek-a-Leek,” became her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 21. The song’s success was further amplified by a remix featuring Jhené Aiko and City Girls. Saweetie’s collaboration with PrettyLittleThing in September 2019, which resulted in a 59-piece clothing collection, showcased her expanding influence beyond music.

Her 2020 single, “Tap In,” marked a new peak in her career, reaching number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. This success was followed by the release of “Back to the Streets” featuring Jhené Aiko and “Best Friend” featuring Doja Cat, both of which solidified her status as a rising star in the music industry. Saweetie was included in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Music list and Variety’s Hitmakers Impact list in 2020, reflecting her growing impact in the entertainment world.

In 2021, Saweetie expanded her brand with a jewelry line, a clothing collection with PrettyLittleThing, and a collaboration with Morphe for a makeup collection. She also launched her own virtual educational series, Icy University. Her EP, Pretty Summer Playlist: Season 1, and singles like “Fast (Motion)” continued to build anticipation for her debut studio album, Pretty Bitch Music.

In November 2021, she released the single “Icy Chain” and made her SNL debut, performing “Tap In” and “Best Friend.” Saweetie hosted Netflix’s comedy special Sex: Unzipped and appeared in various media projects, further establishing her as a multifaceted entertainer. In 2022, she released her fourth EP, The Single Life, and in 2023, announced a tour with YG and Tyga, although it was later canceled. Saweetie remains a prominent figure in music and fashion, with ongoing ventures and a strong presence in the industry.