Meet rapper Latto, who collaborated with BTS’ Jungkook – and has a secret boyfriend
Recently spotlighted as one of Billboard’s 10 hottest female rappers right now, American rapper Latto, whose real name is Alyssa Michelle Stephens, has come a long way from her early days.
Originally known as Miss Mulatto, she rebranded to Latto in 2021 given the negative connotations of her original name. She started performing in talent shows and open mics in her hometown of Atlanta from the age of 10, per Forbes.
At 25, Latto’s star has quickly risen in the music industry, boasting awards like best female hip-hop artist at the 2023 Bet Hip-Hop Awards, and Grammy nominations for best new artist and best melodic rap performance for “Big Energy”.
Here’s what else you need to know about the up-and-coming rapper:
Latto won The Rap Game at age 16
Latto made her mark at just 16 years old by winning the first season of Lifetime’s reality show The Rap Game (2016). Despite her victory, she boldly declined the grand prize of a record deal with So So Def Records to carve out her own path in the music industry.
She’s collaborated with many stars
She paid for her sister’s tuition
In an interview with The Standard, Latto said that despite two albums, a No 1 single and brag-worthy collaborations, her proudest moment remains paying for her sister’s university tuition. “Nobody in my family went to college, so I’m happy I got to do that for her,” she said.
Who is Latto dating?
In 2021, dating rumours about Latto and 21 Savage emerged after they posted separate holiday photos from Puerto Rico, per Hot New Hip Hop. However, Latto denied the speculation in a post on TikTok. However, she’s also made references to a boyfriend on various occasions.
In a Cosmopolitan interview, she explained her choice to keep her boyfriend’s identity secret, emphasising that she values privacy amid her showbiz career. Despite her public persona, Latto treasures the peace that comes with keeping parts of her life private, she added. “My privacy is more important [than seeing him in the crowd]. I can’t have people putting two and two together. This is the longest relationship I’ve ever been in,” she said.
What about her BBL surgery?
In a recent livestream, Latto discussed her decision to get a Brazilian butt-lift and breast surgery at 21 due to online criticism and body shaming, as reported by iHeart. “Everybody on the internet was calling me ‘bad-bodied,’” she said.
Now 25, she recently expressed regret over her boob job. Her message is now: “Do what works for you and mind your own business.”
She wants to have a family
- She turned down a record deal after winning The Rap Game at 16, paid for her sister’s tuition, and was rumoured to be dating 21 Savage