From Makeup Artist to Rapper: The Journey of Saucy Santana

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Saucy Santana is an American rapper born on October 8, 1993, named Rashad Jamiyl Spain. He grew up in Bridgeport, Connecticut, before moving to Florida when he was 10 years old. Santana is of Afro-Dominican descent through his grandmother.

Rise to Prominence: Releases and Love & Hip Hop

He started his career in the music industry by working as a makeup artist for City Girls, and started rapping in February 2019 when he created a theme song for the podcast that he hosted with his friends at the time. Santana uploaded his debut single “Walk ‘Em Like a Dog” to the audio distribution platform SoundCloud in August 2019. This release was followed by his debut EP, Dog Walkers, in September 2019, and then the mixtape Imma Celebrity in January 2020.

Viral Success and Collaborations

Santana featured as a recurring guest on the third season of the reality television franchise Love & Hip Hop: Miami, which aired on VH1 from January 6, 2020, to April 6, 2020. In July 2020, Santana released his second mixtape Pretty Little Gangsta, bolstered by the singles “Up & Down” featuring American rapper Latto, and “Back It Up” featuring American rapper LightSkinKeisha.

Keep It Playa: Debut Album and Collaborations with City Girls

Santana gained further prominence in 2021 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!” alongside Madonna. 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.

Personal Life: Coming Out and Experience with Homophobia

Santana has cited Gucci Mane, Trina, and Tampa Tony as influences. He came out as gay at age 17. On December 11, 2019, Santana and two others were shot in a drive-by shooting in Miami. Santana, who was hospitalized for his injuries, stated that he believes the shooting was motivated by homophobia.

LGBTQ+ Advocacy: Using His Platform for Positive Change

Saucy Santana has been a vocal advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, using his platform to promote acceptance and celebrate diversity. As an openly gay rapper, he has been open about his own experiences and has spoken out against homophobia. In addition to using his music to address issues faced by the community, he has used his social media presence to highlight the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals and promote positive change. Santana has also been involved in various LGBTQ+ organizations and events, including performing at the 2021 Miami Beach Pride Festival. Through his advocacy work, Santana has become a role model for young LGBTQ+ individuals and a powerful voice for positive change in the music industry.

Also Read: Summer Walker’s Soulful Sound: A New Era of R&B