When Bay Area rapper Saweetie realized she had been nominated for two Grammys, including best new artist, she unleashed her competitive drive, which she had learnt growing up in an athletic environment.
Willie Harper, her grandpa, was a member of the San Francisco 49ers, and her father was a college football player.
“I used to play football, track, and volleyball,” Saweetie told The Associated Press, which named her one of 2021’s Breakthrough Entertainers. “You may be invited to the playoffs, but you must first win.” As a result, I felt as if I had been invited to the Grammys, but I had to win.”
Saweetie, who is also up for best rap song for her collaboration with Doja Cat on “Best Friend,” has established herself as an icy queen, a swaggering rapper whose razor-sharp words have put her in the ring with seasoned veterans. She’s had three Top 40 singles in the previous three years, including “Best Friend,” “Tap In,” and “My Type,” as well as her own McDonald’s meal and becoming a TikTok meme.
All of her success in just a few years was due to her family’s instillation of a strong work ethic. Trinidad Valentin, Saweetie’s mother, was 17 at the time of her birth and had a career as a music video actress, but she insisted that her daughter finish college. Saweetie earned a communications degree from the University of Southern California.
“I appreciate her pushing me to attend since I didn’t appreciate it when I was in college,” she added.
Meanwhile, whenever her father’s friends came around for a game of dominos, he encouraged her to show off her rap skills. “I was never afraid,” she added. “However, in retrospect, I realize that dad was preparing me for anything, therefore I genuinely thank him.”
She’s had to learn to calm down and breathe now that she’s released three hit EPs and has a relentless schedule. Even during a party she hosted at a dance club, finding time to sit and talk about some of her accomplishments was difficult, but she did her best to stay totally present as music played in the background. She’s also juggled high-profile tasks like hosting the MTV Europe Music Awards in Hungary and making her debut on “SNL.”
After learning about meditation from two of her teachers, she meditates for roughly two hours every morning.
“Meditation is extremely important to me because my life is so chaotic,” Saweetie explained. “I have to pray and meditate in order to be grounded.”
The notion of being a “ICY GRL” has stretched beyond Saweetie’s brand to her upcoming EP project, “Icy Season,” which will consist of seven songs plus a bonus track and will be released on Jan. 7.
“When I put my project out there, it’s all about clarity.” It’s all about recovery. “It’s all about self-reflection,” Saweetie explained.
But she’s also aware that her full-length debut, which she’s already dubbed “Pretty Bitch Music” and will be released in 2022, will face a lot of demand, not to mention pressure. “Icy Season” is the caterpillar phase for her, but her full-length record will be the blossoming butterfly.
She stated, “A debut album must be obvious.” “In a way, it’s a blueprint.” It establishes the tone for the rest of your career.”