2 days ago
Sexyy Red: Raunchy, Raw, and Running the Game
This article originally appeared in Hypebeast Magazine Issue 35: The Wavelength Issue.
Sexyy Red isn't just fashionable—she's fashionably late, too. And for a rap diva whose star rises higher by the day, is there any other way to be? The LA Arts District photo studio where I'm supposed to interview Sexyy on this sunny February afternoon isn't the worst place to hold court, either, and the extra time gives me a moment to reflect. Sexyy's world moves fast—chart-dominating singles, A-list collaborations, and headline-grabbing moments unfold faster than fans (and haters) can keep up.
As if that wasn't enough, the 26-year-old St. Louis native is also a mother of two who handles her art, her aspirations, her business, and her home life in a seemingly-impossible balancing act that continues to propel her pop culture rise at breakneck speed.
Need proof? Her recent single featuring Bruno Mars, 'Fat Juicy & Wet' is testament to her crossover appeal—using her uniquely 'Sexyy' energy to create must-listen songs that even her detractors can't help but enjoy. After the track's release in late January 2025, it quickly shot into the top 10 not just in the US, but in Japan, Sweden, and Australia, as well. The video for the song, which features fellow Mars collaborators Lady Gaga and ROSÉ, also racked up nearly 30 million views in its first month alone.
'Fat Juicy & Wet' is far from Sexyy's first taste of breakout success, though. Her 2023 Tay Keith-produced single 'Pound Town' turned the internet on its head and made Sexyy an over-night superstar. With bass-heavy beats, unapologetically raunchy lyrics, and the now-iconic hook 'my coochie pink, my bootyhole brown,' Sexyy didn't just go viral—she imprinted herself in pop culture's DNA. She also proved she isn't just an entertainer—she's a liberator, unafraid to indulge in forbidden fun and filthy pleasures.
'Pound Town' made her 2023 mixtape Hood Hottest Princess a smash hit. And she followed that success with 2024's similarly acclaimed In Sexyy We Trust . That record included the hit 'SkeeYee,' which was notable not only as an infectious catchphrase but also for its ability to bridge the gender gap. Numerous viral videos featured the song in male-dominated spaces in what felt like an unprecedented embrace of a female-centered track. Teams and athletes like the Baltimore Orioles, the Ole Miss football team, UFC fighter Bobby Green, and NFL receiver Stephon Diggs used the song as the soundtrack for grand entrances and celebrations.
'SkeeYee's' brand of crossover appeal has become a signature of Sexyy Red's rise. She doesn't just make hits—she makes moments, tapping into a raw, unfiltered energy that resonates far beyond her core fanbase. And while her style is unmistakably her own, it also carries echoes of past trailblazers. Bits and pieces of 2 Live Crew, golden era Gucci Mane, Chief Keef, Trina, and Project Pat all find their way into Sexyy Red's potent potion. Maybe that's why superstars continue to flock to Sexyy. Not only has she collabed with Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion on her own songs and remixes, but she's also hopped on tracks with everyone from Tyler, The Creator ('Sticky'), to Drake and SZA ('Rich Baby Daddy').
Back at the photo studio, the anticipation of Sexyy's arrival is punctuated by a jarring noise that breaks the silence. A massive, 30-foot-high garage door groans open, revealing the LA sky that's now faded from day to night. A Ferrari 458, painted in blazing Rosso Corsa (Italian racing red), rolls into the studio—a slow-moving tribute to wealth, power, and beauty. Almost on cue, from the opposite end of the studio, Sexxy makes her similarly stunning entrance and heads straight to her dressing room. I follow her inside and for the hour that follows, we talk all things Red as she simultaneously curates her wardrobe and meticulously directs her makeup artist's every move—all while enjoying a thick slice of Prince Street pepperoni pizza.
What's your connection to the color red? Has it always been your thing, or did it become part of your identity over time?
It's either you love red or you love blue. Rihanna had red hair in the 'Man Down' video and I definitely liked how that looked… I even had red hair back when I was in middle school.
I heard you were kind of a punk rocker back in the day. What are some of your favorite bands from you were in that era?
I like Green Day, I like Pink, I like Avril Lavigne… You would be surprised at the stuff I like.
Would you do a record with Green Day?
Man, I definitely would do a record with Green Day. I like that kind of stuff. That's fresh. I just listen to all the genres.
Speaking of all the genres, your single with Bruno Mars 'Fat Juicy & Wet' made some serious noise. Was making that record a fun experience?
Yeah, Bruno, he's crazy. We had talked on the phone and brainstormed. I liked what we came up with and then we recorded it in the studio. It was something different.
How picky are you when it comes to producers and beats? Do you spend a lot of time listening to music and finding the right track?
Yeah, I do. I spend a lot of time listening to beats. If I can hear a song in my head, like if lyrics pop up in my head to the beat, then I'll be like, Okay, I can work with this. But if I'm just listening to the beat and nothing is popping up… NEXT!
You're part of this wave of women running rap right now. In your eyes, what sets you apart? What's Sexy Red's unique stamp on the game?
I ain't got no filter. I just don't know when I'm saying something crazy, so I guess that's it.
Speaking of the glorious ladies of rap, if you were stranded on a desert island and could only have one female rapper by your side, who's making the cut?
Recently I've been hanging out with Latto and GloRilla. It's between them two. They're fun.
If you were stuck on that island with them, what would be Sexxy's survival superpower?
Probably rapping to the mermaids.
That's an important skill. You'll be like, 'You, get us some fish!'
Yeah. Gotta get in with the mermaids. Then they'd hook us up.
Do you ever watch survival reality shows?
Hell yeah. I used to watch them back in the day. That stuff is totally crazy, like Naked and Afraid. Who does that? They're crazy.
Facts. On the topic of survival skills, you popped up at a WWE match a while back. Are you a wrestling fan?
My team approaches me with ideas like this from time to time. When they presented WWE, I immediately was like, 'Yeah, I would do that.'
There's an element of the WWE that's obviously theatrical. Do you see yourself exploring acting more as your career continues to evolve?
I could portray any kind of character. I could be an alien. I can do whatever. Do you believe in aliens?
Definitely. I kind of believe humans are aliens.
I do too. I think my ancestors were aliens. You know, I'm Aries and Aries are from Mars.
For sure. Mars is Aries' ruling planet. You know, maybe that's why you like the color red.
Exactly. It's in me. Red is hot and spicy, you know what I'm saying?
Let's talk a little bit more about how you incubated your otherworldly sense of style. You used to work in hair. What was your name back then, Trill Red? Take us back to the Trill Red era — what was that time like for you?
I used to be doing everybody's hair—braids and glue ins—out of my house. I used to be known for dressing pretty and having all the clothes and shoes and stuff. I was just into the ladies' fashions. But I also used to hate it because all my friends would make me do their hair. We'd be just hanging out and they'd be like, 'Can you do my edges?' I'd be like, 'No, I'm off work. Leave me alone, bro. For real.'
Now that you have such a big platform, tell me about some of the boss lady moves you're making in the hair and beauty world.
I want to get a salon and I want to do everything: clothes, nails, hair, makeup, lashes, waxing, whatever. One stop shop. Just go to different rooms, you know? I want to be the first one. I think it would be fun. Also, lip gloss…
Yeah, your Northside Princess lip gloss line is next level. I feel like you're the only person in the beauty world that can pull of product names like 'Coochie Juice' and 'Gonorrhea.' Besides x-rated names, what makes a good lip gloss?
The glitter, shine. Shit like that. I just like how mine is. I just put certain stuff in it that I would like, you know?
Definitely. So beyond rocking great lip gloss, dressing fabulous, and having great hair, what does 'sexy' really mean to you regarding how you express yourself?
Sexy is confidence. It's high self-esteem. It's basically feeling yourself. Just kind of like can't tell you nothing.
Do you feel like people misunderstand what sexy is?
Yeah, they can.
Because it's not just about physical beauty?
No, it's not. It's about how you feel for real. Because you could be ugly, but if you feel like you're sexy, can't nobody tell you nothing. That's called confidence.
And confidence is sexiness.
Exactly.
