Latto

Latto is an American rapper and singer from Atlanta, Georgia. Born Alyssa Michelle Stephens, she first gained attention winning the first season of Jermaine Dupri's reality series The Rap Game in 2016. After turning down Dupri's contract offer, she built an independent buzz with the viral 2019 single "Bitch from da Souf," which went double platinum and landed her a deal with RCA Records.

Her 2021 hit "Big Energy" became a defining moment, peaking at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning triple platinum certification. The song won Song of the Year at the BET Hip Hop Awards and helped her earn Grammy nominations for Best New Artist and Best Melodic Rap Performance. Her albums 777 (2022) and Sugar Honey Iced Tea (2024) both debuted at number 15 on the Billboard 200. In 2023, she appeared on Jung Kook's "Seven," which became her first number 1 single on the Hot 100.

Known for her confident, Southern-inflected style and business savvy, Latto has won two BET Awards, a Billboard Music Award, and an MTV Video Music Award. She was named Variety's Breakthrough Artist of the Year in 2022 and inducted into the XXL Freshman Class in 2020. Her fanbase, the 777 Club, supports her as a leading voice in the new generation of female rap.[edit]

Latto grew up in Clayton County, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta, after her family moved from Ohio when she was young. She attended Lovejoy High School in Hampton, where she was a competitive cheerleader. She started writing raps at age 10, filling notebooks with lyrics inspired by Missy Elliott and other Southern rap icons. At 13, she began uploading freestyles to YouTube, gaining a small local following.

Her big break came in 2016 when she auditioned for The Rap Game, a reality competition created by Jermaine Dupri. Performing as Miss Mulatto, she won the first season. But she surprised many by rejecting Dupri's offered recording contract with So So Def Recordings, choosing instead to build her career independently. That decision set the tone for her self-made path.[edit]

After The Rap Game, Latto released a series of independent singles and mixtapes. The turning point came in 2019 with "Bitch from da Souf," a track that went viral on YouTube and streaming platforms. The song's success led to a deal with RCA Records and a double platinum certification. Her debut album Queen of da Souf arrived in 2020, featuring the platinum hit "Muwop" with Gucci Mane.

In 2021, she dropped the name Mulatto and rebranded as Latto, citing the term's racial connotations. That same year she released "Big Energy," which sampled Mariah Carey's "Fantasy" and became her biggest solo hit. The song peaked at number 3 on the Hot 100 and spent months on the charts. Her second album 777 followed in 2022, earning a Song of the Year win at the BET Hip Hop Awards.

2023 brought her first number 1 single as a featured artist on Jung Kook's "Seven." She also dropped the remix "Put It on da Floor Again" with Cardi B, which hit number 13. Her third album Sugar Honey Iced Tea came out in August 2024, with features from Megan Thee Stallion, Ciara, and Teezo Touchdown. In 2025 she headlined the Sugar Honey Iced Tea Tour across North America and Europe, and launched her own record label imprint under RCA.[edit]

Latto's public persona is bold, confident, and unapologetically Southern. Her style blends trap queen aesthetics with high fashion — colorful wigs, designer streetwear, and heavy jewelry. Media often describes her as the "new queen of Southern rap," highlighting her business acumen and resilience after her early name controversy. Her music is characterized by braggadocious lyrics, heavy bass, and catchy hooks that mix trap, pop, and R&B.

On social media, she is direct and humorous, frequently engaging with fans and posting behind-the-scenes content. Her fanbase, the 777 Club, is known for heavy streaming on release days and defending her online. She uses her platform to address industry issues and advocate for racial awareness in hip-hop.[edit]

Latto currently holds no placement in the iFANN Global Top 1,000 rankings. The iFANN Global Fame Engine has evaluated her career trajectory and cultural footprint but does not assign a specific numeric rank or score at this time. Despite the lack of a formal ranking position, her influence is undeniable. Her fanbase identifies directly as "Big Mamas," a moniker drawn from her 2024 album *Big Mama* and her self-styled title as the Queen of da Souf. This community drives massive streaming numbers for releases like *777* and fuels viral moments such as the steamy, 2000s-themed visual for "Okayyy" with Doja Cat. Fans are highly organized, supporting her transition from club circuits to major arena stages when she joined Doja Cat's "Tour Ma Vie" in 2026. Latto maintains deep loyalty through direct engagement, whether clapping back at critics regarding her parenting choices or addressing industry gossip head-on. Her integration into broader pop culture extends beyond music, highlighted by walking undefeated boxer Claressa Shields to the ring in Atlanta. These actions cement her status as a top-tier touring act with a dedicated following that spans social media and live events.[edit]

Before stepping into the studio, Latto was a competitive cheerleader in high school and still incorporates flips into her music videos today. A devoted anime enthusiast, she cites *Naruto* and *Attack on Titan* as favorites while crediting Missy Elliott as her biggest musical inspiration growing up. She owns a French Bulldog named Boss who frequently appears on her social media channels. The number 777 represents luck to her, serving as the foundation for her fanbase known as the 777 Club. Latto has explicitly stated her goal to be remembered as the biggest rapper out of the South rather than just the biggest female rapper. Among her most iconic moments is the 2021 decision to change her stage name from "Mulatto" to "Latto," a rebranding move that garnered widespread respect within the hip-hop community. In mid-2026, she became the center of a viral narrative after firmly denying rumors about her collaborator 21 Savage being married to another woman during a livestream. Another defining legend involves her 2026 appearance alongside Doja Cat for the release of "Okayyy," which cemented her peer status among top female rappers and led to her joining a major arena tour.[edit]

Latto's father, Shayne Stephens, worked as a truck driver, and her mother, Mica Stephens, worked in a warehouse. She has two older brothers and a younger sister. Her mother Mica is a frequent presence on Latto's social media, and the two share a close bond. The family moved from Columbus, Ohio, to Clayton County, Georgia, when Latto was young. She has described her household as strict but supportive. As of 2026, Latto is not married and has no children. She lives in a $1.1 million home she purchased in the Atlanta suburbs in 2023.[edit]

Latto has collaborated with top artists including Cardi B, Jung Kook, Megan Thee Stallion, Gucci Mane, 21 Savage, Ciara, and Teezo Touchdown. She sampled Mariah Carey's 'Fantasy' on 'Big Energy.' Jermaine Dupri served as a mentor on The Rap Game. Missy Elliott is her biggest musical influence.[edit]

Latto has been linked to several high-profile rappers but has kept most relationships private. In 2019-2020, she was rumored to be dating 21 Savage after they were spotted together and collaborated on the 'Said Sum' remix, though neither confirmed it. In 2021, she dated rapper Rylo Rodriguez; they were seen at events together but split later that year. In early 2022, she was briefly linked to Kid Cudi after they attended a Lakers game; she later said they 'kicked it' but were never exclusive. From 2022 to 2023, rumors swirled about her and Detroit rapper 42 Dugg after he appeared on her song 'FTCU,' but neither confirmed the relationship. As of 2026, Latto is single and has stated she is focused on her career.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Latto's estimated net worth stands at $4 Million in 2026. Her primary income streams flow from music sales and streaming royalties, with 'Big Energy' alone generating over $2 million in revenue. Additional millions have accumulated from her albums *777* and *Sugar Honey Iced Tea*. Her 2025 *Sugar Honey Iced Tea Tour* grossed an estimated $1.5 million from ticket sales. Endorsement partnerships have included Fashion Nova (2021-2023), McDonald's (2022 Famous Orders campaign), Beats by Dre (2023), and Cîroc vodka. In 2023, she purchased a $1.1 million home in the Atlanta suburbs. She launched her own record label imprint under RCA in 2025 and has invested in tech startups, including a music-education app designed for young girls.[edit]

Latto has won two BET Awards (Best New Artist 2021, Best Female Hip Hop Artist 2023), a BET Hip Hop Award (Song of the Year 2022 for 'Big Energy'), a Billboard Music Award (Top Rap Female Artist 2023), and an MTV Video Music Award (Best New Artist 2022). She was also named Variety's Breakthrough Artist of the Year in 2022.[edit]