Janae Nierah Wherry, born April 15, 1998, in St. Louis, Missouri, is an American rapper known professionally as Sexyy Red. She gained significant attention in the music industry with the release of her 2023 single “Pound Town,” produced by Tay Keith. The track’s viral success laid the groundwork for her rise to prominence and led to the release of “Pound Town 2,” featuring Nicki Minaj. This remix marked her debut on the Billboard Hot 100, solidifying her place in the mainstream music scene. Her follow-up single, “SkeeYee,” continued this momentum and was featured on her second mixtape, Hood Hottest Princess (2023).
Sexyy Red’s journey into music began with a personal experience; she started rapping after writing a diss track about a boyfriend who had cheated on her. Her stage name, “Sexyy Red,” was derived from the nickname “Red,” which she had been known by due to her red-dyed hair. She graduated from Normandy High School in Missouri and released her first song, “Ah Thousand Jugs,” in 2018. Her debut mixtape, Ghetto Superstar (2021), established her presence in the industry but it was her 2023 singles that brought her widespread acclaim.
The success of “Pound Town” and “Pound Town 2” was followed by notable guest appearances on official remixes of popular singles. She featured on DaBaby’s “Shake Sumn,” NLE Choppa’s “Slut Me Out,” and Young Nudy’s “Peaches & Eggplants,” each of which charted on the Billboard Hot 100. In addition, her collaboration with SZA on Drake’s single “Rich Baby Daddy” further elevated her profile, with the track peaking at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and its music video going viral as it depicted Wherry welcoming her second child.
Sexyy Red’s public image is characterized by a bold, confident, and often brazenly sexual persona. Billboard recognized her as “one of the biggest breakout artists of summer 2023,” and she received a nomination for “Best Breakthrough Hip Hop Artist” at the 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards. Her lyrics and media presence have been described as unapologetically sexual, reflecting influences from artists like Gucci Mane, Lil Wayne, and Nicki Minaj. Despite criticism from some quarters, her authenticity and energetic style have been praised, with comparisons to the “Female Gucci Mane” highlighting her impact.
In 2024, Sexyy Red expanded her reach beyond music, making an appearance at WWE NXT to present the new NXT Women’s North American Championship and hosting the 2024 NXT Battleground PLE. Her career trajectory has been marked by both musical success and media prominence, accumulating over 4.5 million followers on Instagram and achieving notable streaming numbers on platforms like Spotify.
Her music is known for its direct, often provocative lyrics and catchy hooks, distinguishing her as a prominent figure in the genre of “pussy rap,” although she has expressed frustration at being defined solely by this aspect of her work. Sexyy Red’s distinctive voice, energetic delivery, and genuine expression of her experiences have contributed to her broad appeal and ongoing success in the hip-hop industry.