Saweetie
My cousin's dad is MC Hammer, and another one of my cousins is Zaytoven. We all grew up together and it's interesting to see how we turned out.Collection: Dad
In order to be an icon, you need to be bold. How do I define boldness? Stepping outside of your comfort zone.
It's cool to go into the simplicity of fashion, but I'm a very colorful person.
My dream school was USC. So I was like, alright, I'm going to apply to USC, and If I don't get in - I'm dropping out of school, and I'm pursuing music. So I applied, and I got in. I was like alright, I'm at the number one communications school in the country, and that was my major.
I like it to look natural, to be smooth, dewy glowy. I like my eyebrows to look nice and I love lip gloss. That's essential to the Saweetie look.
High maintenance means a lot of care. My relationships are high maintenance, my body is high maintenance, and my soul is high maintenance. I really care about my friends and my family; I eat good; I pray a lot. So it's like, I really care about my relationships with my family, my friends, my body and my soul.
I'm a huge fan of hot Cheetos. I used to eat them for breakfast.
Especially as an artist, the creative freedom we have makes us who we are. We're human beings-we're gonna mess up sometimes. I definitely feel like people should continue being who they are. As long as you're staying true to who you are, that's super important.
It's crazy because 'Icy Girl' came when I was in a dark place, but I made it to motivate myself. It was kind of like my anthem for lifting up my spirits.
With social media, the gatekeepers are our followers. It has opened so many doors for me not only musically, but fashion-wise as well.
I went from being a hustler, working different jobs to renting rooms off Craigslist, and I just wasn't happy.
If you're really listening there are alot of hidden messages in my songs.
Around the time that I was in high school, a lot of rappers were coming out with mixtapes of them rapping over other people's instrumentals, specifically Young Money.
I was already writing poetry, so I transitioned from writing poetry a cappella to writing over beats, and it was way more exciting to me that way.
Me wanting to be an artist never really faded away. I knew that no matter what else I tried to pursue, my passion was always that.
Well, most of my sessions have been with Hit-Boy and London, so I haven't had the opportunity to really vibe a lot in person with the other producers. But they're super open to experimenting and taking direction really well and they have good energy.
In the beginning, I took on every opportunity because I was so determined to get my name and music out there. You can get your sleep, but honestly your brain needs a break, too, and so many people forget that.
A lot of women reach out to me and tell me my music has given them the courage and confidence to break up with not just any boyfriend, but an unhealthy relationship.
I'm the type of person where I'll take on anything because I like to work so much.
My grandmother used to call me Sweetie, and I really loved it.
I've been wanting to do music since I was 14, but like I've really always enjoyed giving speeches and I enjoy talking to people, so I was like, maybe I can be a newscaster.
I feel like an EP is for practice and an album is the game.
I enjoy the life I have now, but I also enjoy doing regular stuff. I can't pull up to the club and stay outside no more. I can't be at anybody's table. A picture or video can go viral, and it can be misinterpreted.
If the public doesn't receive what you say, people can start to build your brand for you.
What I don't like is when people feel like they can box an artist into who they think an artist should be.
What I really love about the Bay area sound is that it's very unique and that's something I want to strive for, as an artist. It's easy to get caught up in what's trending, but Bay area rap stays true to the local sound.
I feel like it's social media that's opened that door. We're able to accumulate and generate our own fan base. Once we do that and put our own work in, labels take notice that we have our own following.
It's important for women to have each other's backs. I'd like my label to give women the resources they need to flourish.
And I get so nervous now when it's not my show, like I'm not the headliner, because I know that those fans are there for another artist. Many people might not know an upcoming artist, but I've grown to like those shows because if I can control a crowd that doesn't know me, I'm doing my job as an entertainer. I have to rise to the occasion.
I performed in high school for Black History Month at a talent show, but besides that I didn't have the resources to perform so I spent my time as a teenager writing music.
Content is what's super important and people want to see you performing your records. That has a stronger impact.
I like working with people who are passionate about what I'm doing. I'm super passionate about music, so I want to make sure my colleagues and people on my team are the same, as well. I'm a very hands-on artist, so I don't give my work to my team.
When you're normally networking, it's with men. And they claim they want to help you and work with you, but when it comes down to it, they want to go on dates.
Being a woman in a male-dominated industry is difficult at times. I've had people offer to help me, but it's hard to know who to trust.
The experiences I go through... everything you hear in my lyrics is real. Good or bad, I take it all in and put it all on the mic.
I stopped listening to a lot of music because I wanted to become more comfortable with what I naturally sound like.
I grew up dying my hair with Kool Aid. I used to switch my hair up every day just to make myself look and feel good.
I'm super drawn to the high-end brands because they're made with such care and great materials. I really love Chanel, it's my favorite.
I'm a very competitive person - I grew up playing sports - so the challenge of always bettering myself is something that I like.
My schedule is very busy, but when I get time to sit and think about all the great things that have happened to me, it's just mind-blowing.
My grandma told me that to be wealthy you need at least seven streams of income, so that's my goal. I have a big family. I want to take care of everybody.
I feel like your partner should be supportive. The relationship should be healthy; it should be fun. For all my girls looking for their type, make sure it's healthy and make sure that whoever it is, is making you a better you.
What I love about my audience is it's extremely diverse as far as the ethnicities and the ages that show up.
After I graduated, I didn't have the resources to go to the studio, which is why I then went to social media.
I just love seeing my audience live, and I also love to see my peers perform because it inspires me to be a better performer as well.
I founded my label last November called Icy, and once my foundation is laid, I'd love to go back and help other artists and give them the opportunity that I wasn't given at a younger age.
I'm normally getting glammed for my events and when I can give my skin a break, I do.
I get extensions, but when they start to get spotty, I go buy wispy lashes and cut them up. I put them where the gaps are when I don't have time to get a fill.
I want to encourage the artists that haven't made it that social media is the truth. I made it from Instagram to having a most-added song to radio.
If I want to listen to myself as much as I want to listen to Drake or Beyonce, I feel like that's a good sign.