Janae Nierah Wherry (born April 15, 1998), known professionally as Sexyy Red, is an American rapper and singer-songwriter. 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), her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100. Released that same 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 chart's top 20 of the chart and led her third mixtape, In Sexyy We Trust (2024).
Also in 2023, Wherry guest appeared on the 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. Her appearance on Drake's 2023 single "Rich Baby Daddy" peaked within the chart's top 20, and the following year, her appearance on Tyler, the Creator's "Sticky" peaked within its top ten.
Billboard declared her as "one of the biggest breakout artists of summer 2023." She won "Best Breakthrough Hip Hop Artist" at the 2024 BET Hip Hop Awards, after being nominated the year prior. Her public image, lyrics, and media presence have been described as brazenly sexual, boisterous, and "confident".
Early life
Janae Nierah Wherry was born and raised in St. Louis. 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 has previously worked as a hairdresser and a call center agent. Wherry graduated from Normandy High School in Missouri.
Career
Red released her first song "Ah Thousand Jugs" in 2018. In 2021, she released her debut mixtape Ghetto Superstar.
In January 2023, she released "Pound Town" with Tay Keith, which later went viral on social media. In April, she was featured on the remix of NLE Choppa's "Slut Me Out". 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. 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. She featured alongside SZA on his single "Rich Baby Daddy", from his eighth studio album For All the Dogs, in October. Her first top-10 song in the United States was with Tyler, the Creator over a year later. The two released a collaboration with GloRilla and Lil Wayne, "Sticky" from the album Chromakopia, in October 2024.
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.
Artistry
Influences
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. 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". She has frequently been called the "Female Gucci Mane" in particular and released a song with that title on her mixtape Hood Hottest Princess.
Lyrical and musical style
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". In Complex, Eric Skelton called her songs "full of viral lyrics". 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. Red is also noted for her distinctive voice and flow. She has received praise for her "authenticity" and her "energy", which are cited as factors for her success with a broad audience.
Public image
Sexyy Red has been a focal point in discussions about the representation of Black women in the music industry. During an interview with One Musicfest, American rapper Trina defended Red, emphasizing her right to express herself freely and to create music on her own terms. In contrast, rapper Khia voiced her disapproval of being compared to artists like Trina and Red, citing concerns over their perceived negative influence. In response, Red addressed Khia's remarks on social media, referring to her as "washed up" and "miserable".
Personal life
Red's first child, a son, was born in 2022. On October 15, 2023, she announced that she was pregnant with her second child in an Instagram post. 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.
In August 2023, Red disclosed on a podcast that she was a victim of rape.
Red, having expressed support for current U.S. president Donald Trump, has used the phrase "Make America Sexyy Again" in her branding. However, she revealed in November 2024 that she voted for Vice President Kamala Harris.
Discography
Mixtapes
Extended plays
Singles
As lead artist
As featured artist
Other charted songs
Tours
Headlining
- Hood Hottest Princess Tour (2023)
- Sexyy Red 4 President Tour (2024)
Supporting
- Moneybagg Yo – Larger than Life Tour (2023)
- Drake and 21 Savage – It's All a Blur Tour (2023)
Awards and nominations
See also
- Raunch aesthetics
Notes
References
External links
- Official website
- Sexyy Red at AllMusic
- Sexyy Red discography at Discogs
- Sexyy Red discography at MusicBrainz
