The rappers who inspired Sexyy Red: “I listen to all the dudes”
Sexyy Red is one of the biggest rappers of the moment. She’s not afraid of bold lyrics, most famously, “My coochie pink, my booty-hole brown.” She also knows her way around a catchy record, which has resulted in huge success. However, the 27-year-old wouldn’t be the fearless artist she is today without some legends inspiring her.
The ‘Pound Town’ rapper (real name Sexyy Red) grew up in St Louis, Missouri but was mostly inspired by artists from a bordering state: Tennessee. Memphis rappers captivated her and inspired her style, as well as artists from Chicago and Baton Rouge. More than anyone, though, male MCs helped her find her sound.
“I loved Project Pat and Juicy J and all them,” she told Complex. “Three 6 Mafia. Memphis flows. I like Chief Keef. I was listening to Gucci Mane. I like Boosie and Webbie. I like boy rappers. I listen to all the dudes. I feel like I have [always had the sound I have now]. It’s just ratchet rap. I got the same flow and I like certain beats, but people be saying I elevated. I guess they’re saying I rap better now.”
Not only has Sexyy Redd been influenced by Three 6 Mafia, but she’s also directly sampled them. For her song ‘Nachos’, she used elements of ‘Mafia N*ggaz’, and for ‘Chicken Chicken’, she sampled ‘Chickenhead’. She also collaborated with one of their members, Juicy J, on her ‘Strictly for the Strippers’ record alongside ATL Jacob. Working with one of her heroes would have been a bucket list moment.
Sexyy Red has experienced major stardom over the last few years, reaching number 17 on the Billboard 200 chart with her In Sexyy We Trust project. Some of her hit singles have included ‘Whatchu Kno About Me’ with GloRilla, ‘Fat Juicy and Wet’ with Bruno Mars, and ‘Got It Sexyy’. In addition, she collaborated with Drake multiple times on ‘Rich Baby Daddy’ and ‘U My Everything’, while also touring with the Toronto rapper.
When people ask her to categorise the type of music she makes, she describes it as “bad” and “ratchet.” Above all, she considers herself to be an entertainer but knows her music isn’t for everyone. Because of her wild personality, her family knows not to comment on her music career, and she completely understands why. Although younger people are hip to her, she never encourages people to play it around children.
Aside from music, Sexyy Red has been inspired by her upbringing in St Louis. While some people have considered her music to be rough around the edges, she’s simply representing her neighbourhood the best way she knows how. “I’m really a product of my environment,” she said. “They be saying, ‘Oh, she’s ghetto. She dusty.’ But I’m really a product of my environment. If they go where I’m from, I’m clean out there. They think I’m dusty? Oh, this is clean. So it’s just real. It is trench, hood shit. It’s turned up out there on some street shit.”