Born in Ohio but ATL made, rapper Latto sat down with Audacy to help us celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop by sharing her biggest inspirations, what made her fall in love with Hip-Hop, and more!
LISTEN NOW: Latto on being introduced to and falling in love with Hip-Hop
Alyssa Michelle Stephens, known to the world as Latto or “Big Latto” first stepped foot into the game of Hip-Hop when she was just 10 years old. She was the season one winner of the popular reality contest show, The Rap Game and, since then she has continued to put out music and showcase her pen game.
Her breakout-hit song, “B*tch From Da Souf,” showed the world that she isn’t going anywhere anytime soon; the music video for which has had over 82 million views and they continue to climb. The remix of "B*tch From Da Souf" featuring Saweetie and Trina went RIAA certified Platinum, which makes her the first woman from Atlanta to do this.
Atlanta is a huge part of Latto and how she has developed into the skillful rapper that she is today, “I’m A to the core, baby,” she said. From her “slow southern flow” to her swag, Latto admits that Atlanta is truly the city that made her.
LISTEN NOW: Latto on Atlanta Hip-Hop's influence
Sharing that she was initially introduced to Hip-Hip through her father who had a special interest in artists like NWA, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and Tupac she revealed that fellow Atlanta rapper, Gucci Mane made her fall in love with Hip-Hop.
“When I fell in love with it [Hip-Hop] was when I discovered Gucci… 'Lemonade' had me in a chokehold fasho’.”
LISTEN NOW: Latto describes 'What Is Hip Hop' in her own words
In 2020, Latto was one of two women inducted into the XXL 2020 Freshman Class. This singular moment was what she defines as Hip-Hop, being that every new and upcoming rapper dreams of their day to be on an XXL cover. When her time came, she said to herself, “oh yeah, this is Hip-Hop.”
“When I did that XXL cypher that was Hip-Hop, that's when I was like, 'nah this Hip-Hop…' As an independent artist, you dream of the day that you gone be on a XXL Freshman cover and hit the freestyles and cypher… So when I finally got my chance, I was like ‘oh yeah, this what I been waiting for.’"
WATCH NOW: Latto on Atlanta Hip-Hop's influence
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