Janae Nierah Wherry (born April 15, 1998), known professionally as Sexyy Red, is an American rapper and singer. She rose to prominence with the release of her 2023 single "Pound Town" (with Tay Keith); its popularity spawned the remixed sequel "Pound Town 2" (with Nicki Minaj), which marked her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100. Released in June of that year, her follow-up single, "SkeeYee", was met with similar success; both songs were included on her second mixtape, Hood Hottest Princess (2023). Her 2024 single, "Get It Sexyy"
, peaked within the top 20 of the chart and led her third mixtape, In Sexyy We Trust (2024).
Billboard declared her as "one of the biggest breakout artists of summer 2023."[3] She received a nomination for "Best Breakthrough Hip Hop Artist" at the 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards. Her public image, lyrics, and media presence have been described as brazenly sexual, boisterous, and "confident".[4]
Early life
Janae Nierah Wherry was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. Wherry started rapping after penning a diss track directed towards a boyfriend who cheated on her. The stage name "Sexyy Red" was adapted from the nickname "Red" she already had for a long time due to her red dyed hair. She graduated from Normandy High School in Missouri.[5]
Career
Red released her first song "Ah Thousand Jugs" in 2018. In 2021, she released her debut mixtape Ghetto Superstar.[6]
Growing up, Red listened to artists such as Gucci Mane, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Project Pat, Juicy J, Three 6 Mafia, Chief Keef, Webbie, Boosie BadAzz, and Trina.[13][14][15] Kyle Denis remarked in Billboard that those artists "embody the unapologetically hood energy that now courses through every Sexyy Red song", with Red herself stating that she sought to emulate their "fearlessness".[14] She has frequently been called the "Female Gucci Mane" in particular and released a song with that title on her mixtape Hood Hottest Princess.[13]
Lyrical and musical style
"I don't agree with that ["pussy rap" classification], because why is that the only thing you heard me talking about? That's the only thing that you got out of everything I just said? You just heard me say 'coochie'? I hate when they say that. I just rap about my daily life. Girls that live like me, I just rap about what we go through. I don't sit and talk about coochie all day."
Red's lyrics focus on one-sentence phrases rather than metaphors and other devices, with Jayson Buford of Rolling Stone writing that "she abstains from traditional lyricism". He also described her as a "classic Southern rapper".[15] In Complex, Eric Skelton called her songs "full of viral lyrics".[13] Red has stated that her daily life serves as the main inspiration for her music. Due to the often highly sexual nature of her lyrics, she has been characterized as a prominent figure of "pussy rap", although she rejects this classification and has expressed exasperation over being reduced to her sexual songs.[13][14] Red is also noted for her distinctive voice and flow.[14][15] She has received praise for her "authenticity" and her "energy", which are cited as factors for her success with a broad audience.[14]
Sexyy Red has been the subject of widespread discourse surrounding the music industry’s representation of black women. In an interview with One Musicfest, American rapper Trina defended Red stating that she should be able to be who she wants and that she has the freedom of speech to say whatever she wants in her music. Rapper Khia expressed her disapproval of being compared to female rappers such as Trina and Red due to the negative influences associated with them. In response, Red said via social media that Khia was "washed up" and "miserable."[16][17]
Personal life
Red's first child, a son, was born in 2020.[15] On October 15, 2023, she announced that she was pregnant with her second child in an Instagram post.[18][19] She gave birth to her second child on February 5, 2024, a daughter, and footage of her in the delivery room was the center of Drake's music video for "Rich Baby Daddy", released 9 days later.[20]
In August 2023, Red disclosed on a podcast that she was a victim of rape.[21]
Red, having formerly expressed support for former U.S. president Donald Trump, utilizes the phrase "Make America Sexyy Again" as part of her branding.[22][23] She later clarified that she is not endorsing Trump.[24] She revealed in November 2024 that she had voted for Kamala Harris.[25]
Discography
Mixtapes
List of mixtapes, with selected chart positions and certifications
