Janae Nierah Wherry (born April 15, 1998), known professionally as Sexyy Red, is an American rapper. 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).

Sexyy Red
Sexyy Red in 2023
Sexyy Red in 2023
Background information
Birth nameJanae Nierah Wherry[1]
Born (1998-04-15) April 15, 1998 (age 26)[2]
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Genres
OccupationsRapper
Years active2018–present
Labels
Children2
Websitesexyy4president.com

Throughout 2023, Wherry guest appeared on the official remixes of the singles "Shake Sumn" by DaBaby, "Slut Me Out" by NLE Choppa, and "Peaches & Eggplants" by Young Nudy, alongside rapper Latto, all of which entered the Billboard Hot 100. She also guest performed alongside SZA on Drake's single "Rich Baby Daddy" that same year, which peaked at number 11 on the chart.

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

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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

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Red released her first song "Ah Thousand Jugs" in 2018. In 2021, she released her debut mixtape Ghetto Superstar.[6]

In January 2023, she released "Pound Town" with Tay Keith, which later went viral on social media.[7] In April, she was featured on the remix of NLE Choppa's "Slut Me Out".[8] In May that same year, she released "Pound Town 2" with Nicki Minaj, which became her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100. In June, she released the mixtape Hood Hottest Princess.[9] In August 2023, Red joined Drake on his It's All a Blur Tour as an opening act, having appeared as a guest at previous shows.[10] Released in October, she co-performed alongside SZA on his single "Rich Baby Daddy", the third single from Drake's eighth album For All the Dogs.[11]

On May 28, 2024, Red appeared at WWE NXT where she presented the new NXT Women's North American Championship. On June 9, 2024, she hosted the 2024 NXT Battleground PLE.[12]

Artistry

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Influences

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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

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"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."

– Sexyy Red discussing her lyrical themes[14]

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]

Public image

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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

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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

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Mixtapes

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List of mixtapes, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Mixtape details Peak chart positions
US
[26]
US
R&B/HH

[27]
US
Rap

[28]
CAN
[29]
Ghetto Superstar
Hood Hottest Princess
  • Released: June 9, 2023[30]
  • Label: Open Shift, gamma.
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
62 21 13
In Sexyy We Trust
  • Released: May 24, 2024
  • Label: Open Shift, gamma.
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
17 5 5 80
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Extended plays

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List of extended plays, with selected details
Title EP details
Pound Town
  • Released: April 30, 2023
  • Label: Open Shift
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming

Singles

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As lead artist

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List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[31]
US
R&B/HH

[32]
US
Rap

[33]
US
Rhy.

[34]
CAN
[35]
WW
[36]
"Ah Thousand Jugs" 2018 Non-album singles
"Don't Trust Em" 2019
"Free Smoke"
"Northside"
"Young Hot Nigga"
"Slob On My Ckat" 2021
"Ghetto Freestyle" Ghetto Superstar
"Throw That Mf" Non-album single
"Hood Bitch" Ghetto Superstar
"My Bitches"
"I Love My Nickel" 2022 Non-album singles
"Throwin' It"
"Don't Get Beat"
"My Twin"
"Born by the River"
(featuring Sukihana)
Hood Hottest Princess
"All White Air Forces" Non-album singles
"FYM"
"Tired"
"Pound Town"[37]
(with Tay Keith or remix with Nicki Minaj)
2023 66 21 14 19 Hood Hottest Princess
"Push Start" Non-album single
"Female Gucci Mane" Hood Hottest Princess
"SkeeYee"[39] 62 17 12 13
"Hood Rats"[40]
(with Sukihana)
"Hellcats SRTs"[41]
(solo or remix featuring Lil Durk)
[A] 40
"Shake Yo Dreads"[43]
"Free My N***a"[44]
"Bow Bow Bow (F My Baby Mama)[45]
(with Chief Keef)
Non-album single
"Get It Sexyy"[46] 2024 20 6 5 8 82 73 In Sexyy We Trust
"U My Everything"
(with Drake)
44 12 10 12 70 132
"U Kno What to Do (UKWTD)"[47] 42 Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
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List of singles as a featured artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[31]
US
R&B/HH

[32]
US
Rap

[33]
AUS
[48]
CAN
[35]
FRA
[49]
IRE
[50]
NZ
[51]
UK
[52]
WW
[36]
"Sense dat God gave you"[53]
(Summer Walker featuring Sexyy Red)
2022 Non-album single
"Slut Me Out (Remix)"[54]
(NLE Choppa featuring Sexyy Red)
2023 Cottonwood 2
"Check"[55]
(Gloss Up featuring Sexyy Red)
Non-album singles
"Area Codes (314 Remix)"
(Kaliii featuring Sexyy Red)
"Shiesty"[56]
(Finesse2tymes featuring Kaliii and Sexyy Red)
"Shake Sumn (Remix)"[57]
(DaBaby featuring Sexyy Red)
"Mmm Hmm"[58]
(Lancey Foux featuring Sexyy Red)
Back2datrap
"Face Down"[59]
(MCVertt featuring ASAP Ferg and Sexyy Red)
Non-album singles
"One Margarita (Margarita Song) [Ladies Remix]"[60]
(That Chick Angel featuring Sexyy Red, FendiDa Rappa, and Flo Milli)
"I Love Freaks (Sexyy's Version)"
(Lijay featuring Sexyy Red)
"Bing Bong (Remix)"
(BlakeIANA featuring Sexyy Red)
"Peaches & Eggplants (Remix)"[61]
(Young Nudy featuring Sexyy Red and Latto)
"Big Dawg"[62]
(Moneybagg Yo with Sexyy Red and CMG the Label)
Gangsta Art 2
"No Panties [From Rap Sh!t S2: The Mixtape]"[63]
(Raedio featuring Sexyy Red)
Rap Sh!t: The Mixtape (From the Max Original Series, S2)
"Rich Baby Daddy"
(Drake featuring Sexyy Red and SZA)
11 4 3 11 18 152 29 9 10 16 For All the Dogs
"Hoe $h!t"
(GenesisTheGawd featuring Sexyy Red)
Non-album single
"Bent (Remix)"
(41, Kyle Richh, Jenn Carter, and TaTa featuring Sexyy Red)
41 World: Not the Album
"Yonce Freestyle"[67]
(Kevin Gates featuring Sexyy Red and B.G.)
The Ceremony
"Daddy"[68]
(Tokischa featuring Sexyy Red)
Non-album single
"Somethin'"
(Nardo Wick featuring Sexyy Red)
2024
"Damn Shorty"
(Chief Keef and Mike WiLL Made It featuring Sexyy Red)
Dirty Nachos
"FTCU (SleezeMix)"
(Nicki Minaj featuring Travis Scott, Chris Brown, and Sexyy Red)
[B] Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Other charted songs

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List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Bub.

[42]
US
R&B/HH

[32]
"Looking for the Hoes (Ain't My Fault)" 2023 49 Hood Hottest Princess
"Bow Bow Bow (F My Baby Dad)" 14 38
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Tours

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Headlining

Supporting

Awards and nominations

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Award Year Nominee Category Result Note
BET Hip Hop Awards 2023 Best Breakthrough Hip Hop Artist Herself Nominated [74]
2024 Won [75]
BET Awards 2024 Herself Best New Artist Nominated [76]
Best Female Hip-Hop Artist Nominated
"Rich Baby Daddy" (with Drake and SZA) Best Collaboration Nominated
Viewer's Choice Award Nominated
Video of the Year Nominated

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ "Hellcats SRTs 2" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number one on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[42]
  2. ^ "FTCU" (SleezeMix) did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 20 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[69]

References

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  1. ^ "FaceTime". ASCAP.
  2. ^ @SexyyRed314_ (April 4, 2023). "My birthday day April 15th" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  3. ^ "Multiple Sexyy Red Songs are Up in Streams This Summer – Billboard". Billboard. July 13, 2023. Archived from the original on July 13, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  4. ^ Wang, Steffanie (August 23, 2023), "Sexyy Red's Raps Bring the Raunch and Personal", Nylon.com
  5. ^ Wherry, Janae (June 7, 2016). "I was sooooo happy when they called my name words couldn't explain". Facebook. Archived from the original on December 22, 2023.
  6. ^ Zellner, Xander (June 7, 2023). "Hot 100 First-Timers: Sexyy Red & Tay Keith Arrive With 'Pound Town 2'". Billboard.
  7. ^ Williams, Aaron (April 6, 2023). "Who Is Sexyy Red? Meet The Rising St. Louis-Based Rapper". Uproxx.
  8. ^ Cho, Regina (April 10, 2023). "NLE Choppa recruits Sexyy Red for new "S**t Me Out (Remix)" track". Revolt.
  9. ^ Alexandria, Lavender (June 9, 2023). "Sexyy Red Drops New Album, Hood Hottest Princess". HotNewHipHop.
  10. ^ Gilbert, Natalee (August 14, 2023). "Sexyy Red Stuns Fans by Joining Drake's It's All a Blur Tour, No Longer Touring With Moneybagg Yo". XXL Magazine.
  11. ^ Madarang, Charisma (February 15, 2024). "Drake, Sexyy Red Are Parents in 'Rich Baby Daddy' Video Co-Starring SZA". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  12. ^ Castro, Danilo (May 28, 2024). "Sexyy Red Makes Her Explosive Wrestling Debut On WWE NXT". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  13. ^ a b c d Skelton, Eric (May 4, 2023). "An Extremely Unfiltered Interview With Sexyy Red". Complex. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  14. ^ a b c d e f Denis, Kyle (January 9, 2024). "To 'Pound Town' and Beyond: Where Sexyy Red Is Taking Hip-Hop Next". Billboard. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  15. ^ a b c d Buford, Jayson (July 12, 2023). "Sexyy Red Is in Her Own League, and She Knows It". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  16. ^ Elibert, Mark. "Trina Defends Sukihana and Sexyy Red: "If You Don't Like It, Don't Listen"". Complex. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  17. ^ "Sexyy Red Threatens to Drag Khia's 'Ol Bones' If She Sees Her". XXL Magazine. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  18. ^ "Sexyy Red Announces She's Pregnant, Says She Was 'Tired' of Pretending She Wasn't". Billboard. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  19. ^ "Sexyy Red reveals pregnancy". Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  20. ^ Squires, Bethy (February 14, 2024). "SZA Doulas for Sexyy Red in Drake's 'Rich Baby Daddy' Video". Vulture. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  21. ^ "Lil Yachty Called Out For Response To Sexyy Red's Story". HNHH. August 16, 2023. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  22. ^ "Sexyy Red Launches 'Sexyy Red 4 President' Campaign". TheSource.com. March 16, 2024.
  23. ^ "Sexyy Red Wants Donald Trump Back in Office as President, Says the Hood Loves Him". XXL Magazine. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  24. ^ Precious, Gibson (June 3, 2024). "Sexyy Red Shoots Down Trump Endorsement Speculation: "I'm Not Endorsing Anybody"". Baller Alert. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  25. ^ "Sexyy Red on Twitter".
  26. ^ "Sexyy Red Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  27. ^ "Sexyy Red Chart History: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  28. ^ "Sexyy Red Chart History: Top Rap Albums". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  29. ^ "Sexyy Red Chart History: Canadian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  30. ^ Grant, Shawn (July 8, 2023). "Sexyy Red Announces 'Hood Hottest Princess' Album for Friday". Hip Hop News | Trending Hip Hop Stories. The Source. ISSN 1063-2085. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  31. ^ a b "Sexyy Red Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  32. ^ a b c "Sexyy Red Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  33. ^ a b "Sexyy Red Chart History: Hot Rap Songs". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  34. ^ "Sexyy Red Chart History: Rhythmic Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  35. ^ a b "Sexyy Red Chart History: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  36. ^ a b "Sexyy Red Chart History: Global 200". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  37. ^ Grant, Shawn (May 26, 2023). "Sexyy Red and Nicki Minaj Team for Spicy "Pound Town 2" Remix". The Source. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  38. ^ a b c "American certifications – Sexyy Red". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  39. ^ Rutherford, Kevin (September 14, 2023). "Sexyy Red's 'SkeeYee' Crowns Inaugural TikTok Billboard Top 50 Chart". Billboard. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  40. ^ Grant, Shawn (August 18, 2023). "WATCH: SEXYY RED AND SUKIHANA UNITE FOR NEW "HOOD RATS" VIDEO". The Source. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  41. ^ Renshaw, David (September 15, 2023). "Sexyy Red and Lil Durk connect on "Hellcats SRTs 2"". The Fader. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  42. ^ a b "Sexyy Red Chart History: Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  43. ^ Lejarde, Arielle Lana (September 25, 2023). "Sexyy Red goes hard on new single "Shake Yo Dreads"". The Fader. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  44. ^ Powell, Jon (November 28, 2023). "Sexyy Red unveils new visual for "Free My N**ga"". Revolt TV. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  45. ^ Bernstein, Elania (December 28, 2023). "Sexyy Red Taps Chief Keef for "Bow Bow Bow (F My Baby Dad)" Remix". Hypebeast. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  46. ^ Breihan, Tom (March 15, 2024). "Sexyy Red – "Get It Sexyy"". Stereogum. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  47. ^ Horvath, Zachary (September 6, 2024). "Sexyy Red Stays Raunchy & Braggadocious On "U Kno What To Do (UKWTD)" Two-Pack". HotNewHipHop.
  48. ^ "Discography Sexyy Red". australian-charts.com. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  49. ^ "Discographie Sexyy Red". lescharts.com. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  50. ^ "Discography Drake". irish-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  51. ^ "Discography Sexyy Red". charts.nz. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
  52. ^ "Drake". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  53. ^ Bennett, Jessica (November 23, 2022). "Summer Walker Drops First Rap Video, "Sense Dat God Gave You"". Vibe. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  54. ^ Gonzalez, Alex (April 7, 2023). "NLE Choppa And Sexyy Red's 'Slut Me Out' Remix Is Even More Graphic Than The Original". Uproxx. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  55. ^ Pointer, Flisadam (April 28, 2023). "Gloss Up And Sexyy Red's 'Check' Is Up And The Pair Isn't Afraid To Publicly Boast About It". Uproxx. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  56. ^ Gonzalez, Alex (June 23, 2023). "Finesse2tymes, Kali, And Sexyy Red Make It Rain In Their 'Shiesty' Video". Uproxx. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  57. ^ Cole, Alexander (July 7, 2023). "DaBaby & Sexyy Red Team Up For Exciting "Shake Sumn" Remix". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  58. ^ Green, Walden (July 21, 2023). "Lancey Foux drops "MMM HMM" feat. Sexyy Red". The Fader. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  59. ^ Fisher, Caroline (July 30, 2023). "ASAP Ferg, Sexyy Red, And MCVertt Team Up For New Single "Face Down"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  60. ^ Bowenbank, Starr (August 25, 2023). "That Chick Angel Talks 'One Margarita' Music Video, Getting Flo Milli, Sexyy Red & FendiDa Rappa on Remix". Billboard. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  61. ^ Cole, Alexander (September 8, 2023). "Sexyy Red & Latto Get Explicit On The Remix To Young Nudy's Hit Song "Peaches & Eggplants"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  62. ^ Zemler, Emily (September 22, 2023). "Hear Moneybagg Yo, Sexyy Red Team Up for High-Talking Single 'Big Dawg'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  63. ^ Zemler, Emily (September 27, 2023). "Sexyy Red's Fiery New Single 'No Panties' Teases Rap Sh!t Season Two Soundtrack". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  64. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  65. ^ "British certifications – Sexyy Red". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 24, 2024. Type Sexyy Red in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  66. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Drake feat. Sexyy Red and SZA – Rich Baby Daddy". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  67. ^ Fisher, Caroline (December 10, 2023). "Sexyy Red Twerks To Kevin Gates Collab "Yonce Freestyle"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  68. ^ "Sexyy Red and Tokischa Share New Song "Daddy": Listen". Pitchfork. December 5, 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  69. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 29, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  70. ^ Thomas, Valeska (August 24, 2023). "Sexyy Red Announces First Headlining "Hood Hottest Princess Tour"". Live Nation Entertainment. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  71. ^ Brown, Preezy (June 26, 2024). "Sexyy Red Preps The Campaign Trail For Her Upcoming Sexyy Red 4 President Tour". Vibe. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  72. ^ Centeno, Tony (June 13, 2023). "Moneybagg Yo Recruits Luh Tyler, Sexyy Red & More For Upcoming Tour". iHeart.
  73. ^ "Sexyy Red joins Drake and 21 Savage's "It's All A Blur Tour"". REVOLT. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  74. ^ Grein, Paul (September 7, 2023). "Cardi B & 21 Savage Lead Nominations for 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards: Full List". Billboard.
  75. ^ Paul, Larisha (September 18, 2024). "Megan Thee Stallion, Kendrick Lamar, Drake Lead 2024 BET Hip-Hop Awards Nominations". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 18, 2024. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  76. ^ "Drake Leads Nominations for 2024 BET Awards: Full List". Billboard.
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