Saucy Santana

American rapper (born 1993)

  • Hip hop
  • gangsta rap
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
Years active2019–presentLabels
  • Arena Music
  • RCA
Websitesaucy-santana.com
Musical artist

Rashad Jamiyl Spain[1][2] (born October 8, 1993), known professionally as Saucy Santana, is an American rapper. He began his career as a makeup artist for the hip hop duo City Girls, and soon after embarked on a recording career in February 2019 with his debut single "Walk Em Like A Dog". Meanwhile, he became a recurring guest on the reality television franchise Love & Hip Hop: Miami. In 2021, Santana gained further prominence when his singles "Walk" and "Here We Go" spawned viral challenges on TikTok. That same year, he released the song "Material Girl," and later released the song's remix "Material Gworrllllllll!" (with Madonna).

Early life

Santana was born to Adrienne Spain[3] on October 8, 1993.[4] He grew up in Bridgeport, Connecticut, before moving to Florida when he was 10 years old.[5] Santana is of Afro-Dominican descent through his grandmother.[6] He started his career in the music industry by working as a makeup artist for City Girls,[7] and started rapping in February 2019 when he created a theme song for the podcast that he hosted with his friends at the time.[8]

Career

Santana uploaded his debut single "Walk 'Em Like a Dog" to the audio distribution platform SoundCloud in August 2019.[4] This release was followed by his debut EP, Dog Walkers, in September 2019, and then the mixtape Imma Celebrity in January 2020.[9] Santana featured as a recurring guest on the third season of the reality television franchise Love & Hip Hop: Miami,[10] which aired on VH1 from January 6, 2020, to April 6, 2020.[11] In July 2020, Santana released his second mixtape Pretty Little Gangsta,[5] bolstered by the singles "Up & Down" featuring American rapper Latto,[12] and "Back It Up" featuring American rapper LightSkinKeisha.[13] Santana featured on American rapper Sukihana's single "Food Stamp Hoe" in August 2021.[14] His 2020 single "Walk" went viral in 2021 after being used for the popular TikTok #WalkChallenge,[15][16][17] and earned him a cosign from American rapper Nicki Minaj.[18] His singles "Here We Go" and "Material Girl" also gained prominence on the platform throughout the year; the latter of which received a cosign from Madonna, who performed a medley of both her song "Material Girl" and Santana's "Material Girl" with him at NYC Pride in 2022.[19][20] They would later release the version they performed as a single, entitled "Material Gworrllllllll!"[21] His debut studio album Keep It Playa was released on December 16, 2021, and featured the single "Shisha", his first collaboration with City Girls, with whom he originally began his career as a makeup artist.[22]

In August 2022, Santana made his debut on The Tonight Show, performing "Booty".[23] Santana also performed "Booty" at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards "Pre-Show".

In November 2023, Santana started a public spat with DJ Akademiks in defense of the rapper Yung Miami (a member of the City Girls), who DJ Akademiks criticized. The comments made by Santana on his Instagram Live were interpreted by some as a rape threat to Akademiks. The spat continued with Santana releasing the diss track "Meet Me in Da Skreets" in which he insulted Akademiks.[24][25]

In January 2024, Santana joined the cast of the reality television show, Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta during the second half of the eleventh season, in a supporting role.

Artistry

Santana in 2021

Santana has cited Gucci Mane, Trina, and Tampa Tony as influences.[26][5]

Personal life

Santana came out as gay at age 17.[26]

On December 11, 2019, Santana and two others were shot in a drive-by shooting in Miami.[27] Santana, who was hospitalized for his injuries, stated that he believes the shooting was motivated by homophobia.[13][28] He said of the shooting, "I got shot in the top of my shoulder, you was [sic] aiming at my face or at my head, that's an instant kill." This incident inspired him to write the song "You Can't Kill Me".[28]

Selected discography

Studio albums

Title Album details
Keep It Playa[22]

Mixtapes

Title Mixtape details
Imma Celebrity[9]
  • Released: January 14, 2020
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
  • Label: Arena Music Productions
Pretty Little Gangsta[5]
  • Released: July 29, 2020
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
  • Label: Arena Music Productions
It's a Vibe
  • Released: December 17, 2020
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
  • Label: Arena Music Productions
Outside
  • Released: August 5, 2021
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
  • Label: Arena Music Productions

Extended plays

Title EP details
Dog Walkers[29]
  • Released: July 6, 2019
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
  • Label: Arena Music Productions

Singles

As lead artist

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
UK
Down.
[30]
"Walk Em Like a Dog"[4] 2019 — Imma Celebrity
"Material Girl"[9] —
"You Can't Kill Me" —
"Up & Down"[12]
(featuring Latto) 		2020 — Pretty Little Gangsta
"Back It Up"[13]
(featuring LightSkinKeisha) 		—
"Walk"[31] — It's a Vibe
"Here We Go"[32] 2021 — Outside
"Boom" —
"B4 (Remix)"
(with Kidd Kenn) 		— Celebrating Pride: Kidd Kenn
"Rent Due!" — Non-album single
"Get TF Out My Face" — Keep It Playa
"Shisha"[22]
(with City Girls) 		—
"Hello"
(with Tay Money) 		2022 — Non-album singles
"Put Your Hands on My"
(with R3hab) 		—
"Booty"[33]
(featuring Latto) 		—
"Material Gworrllllllll!"
(with Madonna) 		69
"Bop Bop" — TBA
"1-800-Bad-Bxtch" 2023 —
"Whole Family"
(featuring Flo Milli) 		—
"Meet Me In Da Skreets" —
"Walk It Like I Talk It" —
"Standin' On Bidness" 2024 —

As featured artist

Title Year Album
"Food Stamp Hoe"[14]
(Sukihana featuring Saucy Santana) 		2021 Non-album singles
"Bossy"
(RealXman featuring Saucy Santana) 		2022
"Pinot Noir"
(IDK featuring Jucee Froot and Saucy Santana) 		2023
"Broke"
(Khadijah featuring Saucy Santana)

Awards and nominations

Results

Year Award Nomination Work Result Ref.
2022 MTV Europe Music Awards Best Push Himself Nominated [34]
People's Choice Awards The New Artist of 2022 Nominated [35]
2023 MTV Video Music Awards Push Performance Of The Year "Booty" Nominated [36][37]

References

  1. ^ AMEL MUKHTAR (May 9, 2022). "Saucy Santana Is the Musician, the Meme, the Moment". Vogue. Archived from the original on May 10, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  2. ^ "BACK IT UP". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Archived from the original on November 6, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  3. ^ "Meet Saucy Santana: 7 Things To Know About the Material Gworl". www.pride.com. March 10, 2022. Archived from the original on June 10, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c Marchante, Michelle. "Who is Saucy Santana? Florida rapper shot near a strip club found fame on SoundCloud". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d "The UB Interview: Saucy Santana Talks Music, Headlines and LGBT". UrbanBridgez. October 8, 2020. Archived from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  6. ^ "Saucy Santana Talks Dating Women, Coming Out, Success as a Rapper, Overcoming Obstacles + More Ep.29". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  7. ^ "Rapper Saucy Santana Sits Down With ESSENCE For A Fun Q&A". Essence. Archived from the original on May 16, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  8. ^ Saucy Santana "Walk Em Like A Dog" Official Lyrics & Meaning. Genius. November 29, 2019. Event occurs at 0:38. Archived from the original on March 1, 2022. Retrieved October 23, 2021 – via YouTube.
  9. ^ a b c Matozzo, Marissa (January 15, 2020). "There's a New 'Material Girl' in Town". Paper. Archived from the original on June 29, 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  10. ^ Malone Méndez, Chris (August 3, 2021). "11 Trailblazing LGBTQ+ Rappers You Should Be Streaming Right Now". Popsugar. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  11. ^ Dutta, Anisha (April 6, 2020). "Has Love and Hip Hop Miami Been Renewed?". The Cinemaholic. Archived from the original on December 25, 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  12. ^ a b Williams, Aaron (August 21, 2020). "Mulatto Goes From Teen TV Star To Rap Royalty With 'Queen Of Da Souf'". Uproxx. Archived from the original on May 20, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  13. ^ a b c Williams, Aaron (August 13, 2020). "Saucy Santana's 'Back It Up' Video With LightSkinKeisha Gets Messy". Uproxx. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  14. ^ a b "Sukihana And Saucy Santana's 'Food Stamp H*e' Video Is A Risque Effort". Uproxx. March 10, 2021. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  15. ^ Logan, Manseen (November 23, 2021). "The Best TikTok Trends and Challenges Right Now". Complex. Archived from the original on December 6, 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  16. ^ John, Arit (January 21, 2021). "Cold Bernie, Flawless Michelle: the best memes from the inauguration". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  17. ^ Sidibay, Madusa (April 24, 2021). "Saucy Santana Previews Fiery New Fatman Scoop "Walk" Remix". HotNewHipHop.com. Archived from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  18. ^ Marie, Erika (October 16, 2021). "Nicki Minaj Struts To Saucy Santana's "Walk," Says She Would Work With Him". HotNewHipHop.com. Archived from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  19. ^ Pellot, Emerald (December 16, 2021). "'Material Girl' TikTok explained: Saucy Santana song goes viral". In The Know. Archived from the original on December 25, 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  20. ^ McCafferty, Kenna (June 24, 2022). "Madonna and Saucy Santana Perform 'Material Girl'". PAPER. Paper Magazine. Archived from the original on June 28, 2022. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  21. ^ Shutler, Ali (August 8, 2022). "Madonna teams up with viral star Saucy Santana for 'Material Gworrllllllll!'". NME. Archived from the original on August 8, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  22. ^ a b c Helfand, Raphael (December 16, 2021). "Saucy Santana and City Girls pass the hookah on "Shisha"". The Fader. Archived from the original on December 25, 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  23. ^ Corrine, Amber (August 5, 2022). "Saucy Santana Makes Late-Night TV Debut With "Booty" Performance". VIBE.com. Archived from the original on August 8, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  24. ^ "DJ Akademiks In Tears Over Saucy Santana Beef, Dr. Umar & Yung Miami Weigh In". www.hotnewhiphop.com. November 2, 2023. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  25. ^ Deeksha (November 3, 2023). "What did DJ Akademiks say? Saucy Santana feud drama explained as Queen Latifah slams the former". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  26. ^ a b Stanley, Marquin. "Saucy Santana Wants to Lead By Example for Other Aspiring LGBTQ Rappers". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 29, 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  27. ^ Dwork, Christina Vazquez, David (December 11, 2019). "Celebrity rapper Saucy Santana shot in arm after leaving Miami-Dade strip club". WPLG. Archived from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  28. ^ a b "Rapper Saucy Santana Among 3 Hurt in Shooting on Miami Highway". NBC Connecticut. December 12, 2019. Archived from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  29. ^ "Dog Walkers EP by Saucy Santana". Archived from the original on December 25, 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2021 – via Apple Music.
  30. ^ UK Download chart peaks:
    • "Material Gworrllllllll!": "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. August 12, 2022. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  31. ^ "Walk – Single by Saucy Santana". Archived from the original on December 25, 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2021 – via Apple Music.
  32. ^ "Here We Go – Single by Saucy Santana". Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2021 – via Apple Music.
  33. ^ "Saucy Santana Drops Video To His Single, "Booty"". Zuluhiphop. July 19, 2022. Archived from the original on July 20, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  34. ^ "See the Complete List of MTV EMA 2022 Nominees". www.mtvema.com. Archived from the original on October 13, 2022. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  35. ^ Entertainment, E!. "People's Choice Awards 2022". votepca.com. Archived from the original on December 7, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  36. ^ MTV. "Vote Now – Nominees for 2023 MTV Video Music Awards". www.mtv.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  37. ^ Curto, Justin (September 12, 2023). "Here Are the 2023 VMA Winners". Vulture. Archived from the original on September 12, 2023. Retrieved September 13, 2023.