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Saweetie is setting a new standard for women in the music industry

The atmosphere for female emcees is growing more and more positive each day. We now have talented artists who seek to be authentically themselves as well as organic role models for younger women and girls. One of those artists is Saweetie.

Born Diamanté Quiea Valentin Harper, Saweetie got her stage name from her grandmother’s term of endearment for her. You may know her from her first hit track “ICY GRL,” or some of her latest work “My Type,” but there’s more to Saweetie than bops and bangers.

She landed on the scene to dominate and change the game.

Promoting Education and Financial Independence

Saweetie is a University of Southern California graduate. She completed her communications degree with a concentration in business and a 3.6 GPA.


During interviews, she’s emphasized the importance of education. She’s always been open and has touched on her journey in seeking financial stability.

After reaching for a profession within the medical field, she quickly recognized that she wasn’t really dedicated to that lifestyle. From there she would decide to take a chance and pursue her music full time.

“You know what? Money make you cute.”

According to a conversation with her Grandma on Fuse’s Made From Scratch, Saweetie promised herself that she would put her all into music for a year, and if it didn’t work out she’d return home and figure out a new plan.

She reiterates during interviews that when she made “ICY GRL” she was broke, and several friends helped her make it look like she wasn’t. She made the song more as an inspiration for success and it paid off.


Diversifying your portfolio early

The ICY GRL, put that business knowledge to the test when she quickly began diversifying her projects.

Saweetie is a huge style influencer. She’s popped out for several fashion shows including Pretty Little Thing and Moschino at Milan’s Fashion Week.

 

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which mood r u?

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She also made a big splash while working with FENTY beauty and had her own makeup collab with Mophe.

“I’m trying to get my foot in the beauty door because that beauty money is something different.”

Saweetie is also keen on landing acting roles. Thus far she’s landed a role on the Black-ish spin-off Grown-ish.

 

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it doesn’t get “saweeter” than this. 😂 @saweetie will make an appearance on season 3 of #grownish.

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Saweetie also created her own record label: ICY records. She plans to solidify herself as an artist so that she can help and support other artists on the come-up.



The importance of mental health

When artists get a hit single, it’s an amazing feeling. But when the pressure to produce another begins, it can be difficult. Saweetie emphasizes that when it comes to making music she’s competitive.

“I don’t get intimidated… I get inspired”

 

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😼 from da bay going dumb on da 🍆

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As a former student-athlete, she uses that competitive nature in all areas of her craft. But she does warn creatives about the dangers of burn out. During a recent interview with E!’s Just the Sip, Saweetie opened up about having a breakdown after taking on so many projects at once.

“When you spread yourself too thin… You’re not able to give your all so that defeats the purpose.”

Her perspective on the grind changed after that experience. She began to say ‘no’ to projects. She wanted to protect her mental health and her quality of work.

“Although, I’ve passed up this bag, a bigger bag is coming, because I’m giving quality over quantity.”



Always supporting women and girls

“It’s dope today because not only are we able to flourish with no co-sign but we’re running into other dope girls ”

The landscape for women in rap has opened up tremendously in recent years. Female MCs are far more frequent and celebrated far more often.

“At first it was only one female, then only two females can be poppin’ but now we have all these poppin’ girls.”


But Saweetie is aware of the important work that needs to be done to make that space even more inviting and lucrative for women. When asked about Kash Doll and the role colorism has on the hip hop industry, Saweetie explained that darker-skinned women can indeed face obstacles.

“If that’s a limitation, it’s our duty to get rid of those things and break past the barrier. ”

She also spoke on the obsession of media and social media on women’s bodies especially when it comes to plastic surgery. She’s often questioned about plastic surgery herself and believes it’s something personal that should not be asked of women.

“I know a lot of women who’ve had a lot of work done and I feel like that’s a personal decision.  I feel like it’s only a problem if you’re doing it for somebody else. I’m an advocate of women feeling good about themselves”

Saweetie sees herself as an advocate for women and hopes to be a role model for younger women as well as peers. Her focus on building herself up is echoed in her music as a strong female and independent message. As an aspiring mogul she also believes in sharing her success with others so that they might also find success.

“When you’re given these blessings you gotta spread ‘em”