Social media is a powerful tool that is responsible for the careers of so many of today's artists. Much of this credit is due to viral videos on TikTok or other social platforms, where artists now look to to break records. You never know when it's your turn or what potential dance will be created with your music but today, the wave certainly influences the Billboard charts, rather than the other way around. Songs will also trend more on social when well-known creators use them for their content.
GiphyThis is also proven to be true when celebs use said music in their videos, a move that mega-hyped artist, BIA knows all too well. Born and raised in Boston, the multi-hyphenate has gone from grinding across the music industry, to being seen and heard throughout multiple viral spaces and platforms with artists such as Monica, Toni Braxton, oh, and a Bajan superstar named Rihanna. And what's best about BIA, is that there's so much more about her story that we love to see.
So here's 7 facts about BIA, the artist on everyone's timeline:
1. BIA debuted on Oxygen’s reality television show, 'Sisterhood of Hip Hop'.
BIA's success came to fruition when she was discovered on YouTube, which led to signing with Pharrell's record label, i am OTHER, and an appearance on the widely acclaimed reality TV show titled, Sisterhood of Hip Hop. The show debuted in 2014 and ran for three seasons, with other artists such as Siya, Brianna Perry, Nyemiah Supreme, and more.
Of her time on the show, BIA says although she enjoyed the time, she is done with that part of her career:
"With reality television, you gotta know when to get in and when to get out."
2. Rihanna broke one of BIA's most popular songs with fellow rapper, Russ.
Rihanna is powerful in all that she does. After taking to her social media to personally thank Russ and BIA for their song, "Best on Earth", her 97 million followers went crazy about the song as well, sending it UP up.
"I knew it was going to be a big song because Russ is so incredible. But I didn't know it was going to be like that. I had no idea it was going to be life-changing. [But] I've had a moment like that before with going to the Latin Grammys with Pharrell and J Balvin. I had another moment going on tour with Ariana Grande. Each moment in my life has taught me to be really thankful for where I'm at. I just try to live in the moment now, thank God for what He's doing in my life and just let it take me wherever it's taking me because that's really all you can do. You work so hard to have those moments so when you receive them you gotta be ready for them."
The song went on to peak at #46 on Billboards Hot 100, #22 on R&B/Hip Hop, and #1 on Rhythmic charts.
3. And speaking of Ariana Grande, BIA is good friends with her as well.
In 2017, BIA opened for Ariana Grande's Dangerous Woman Tour, and was even at the tour stop in Manchester, prior to the widely discussed and tragic bombing of the arena, which BIA referred to as 'heartbreaking.' The two went on to form a bond and friendship from there, often collaborating on music such as BIA's leaked song, "Esta Noche" and another unreleased song titled "More."
BIA even attended Grande's 24th birthday party that same year and you can find the other on their social media pages from time to time, with Ariana exclaiming:
"@bia I love you from the bottom of my heart! you were so incredible tonight #estanoche #trapvogue"
4. Her song "SKATE" is the theme song for this year’s NHL playoffs.
Ahead of the start of the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs, the NHL teamed up with BIA to mix her track, "Skate", which originally appeared on her For Certain EP from late 2020. The NHL Mix debuted alongside a hard-hitting teaser trailer to build hype for the playoffs.
It features clips of the artist in the recording studio, with footage from the Tampa Bay Lightning victory at the 2020 Stanley Cup, which honestly was everything. Of the mix, she told Complex:
"Turning 'Skate' into the NHL's playoff theme song was so natural and fun to do, can't wait to see who wins the Cup. Go Bruins!"
5. BIA dropped out of school after having an epiphany.
Though BIA's frequent cosigns and collaborations might make it appear as if she's had a smooth path to success, her journey to stardom has been flooded with a series of constant setbacks that actually makes her more grateful for where she is today.
"Before all of this, I was bartending and working all types of jobs to make things happen. I was spending all my money on recording and studio time and I was like, how can I make this a career? School wasn't for me. I had just dropped out of college and was really struggling."
But dropping out of school came with an epiphany.
"I had learned too much for anyone to teach me anything. And so my 'it' moment was when I realized that I had already known what people were trying to teach me. I had a powerful testimony to share with women and the rest of the world."
6. BIA was in a motorcycle accident that nearly claimed her legs.
In 2013, a drunk driver hit BIA and her then-boyfriend who was leaving a music festival. She recounted the story with Hot97:
"It was like 10, 20 of us on bikes. I was a passenger and a drunk driver just whipped a U-Turn. I fell 20, 30 feet in the air and fell on the floor. My helmet stayed on but my driver's helmet fell off and his head split open. He's all right. He got staples in his head. Man, that was crazy. I hit the floor like, "Oh my God. Am I alive?" I looked down and my leg was split open. I didn't know if I was gonna keep my leg or not. It was bad."
The experience eventually humbled the artist, having her turn up her opportunity even more.
"The day after, I was in the studio with crutches. My [scar] looked so ugly but it was never a thought it would get in my way. I was like, "Oh sh**. I'm gonna make it beautiful." Mentally, it traumatizes you. I still get weirded out in the car if someone drives too fast."
7. Most importantly, she's going to be around for a while, because her confidence is unmatched.
"The first day I met Pharrell, I wasn't as nervous as I thought I would and I think it's because I felt like I was supposed to be there at the moment. God put me there for a reason."
She eventually moved on from Pharell's i am OTHER record label through a venture under RCA Records, eventually signing with Epic Records. Sis knows her vision, and stays true to it, as she's been consistent to her hustle for nearly a decade.
"I saw the world differently and it forced me to really know myself through music and to create my own thing. I don't really look at any one like competition, because the lane I'm creating is not there yet."
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Featured image via Giphy
In a xoNecoleexclusive, the iconic actress opens up about embracing this season of her life, new projects, and overall being a “bad motherfucker.” Gabrielle reveals that she was 37 years old when she was diagnosed with perimenopause and is still going through it at 51 years old. Mayo Clinic says perimenopause “refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years.”
“I haven't crossed over the next phase just yet, but I think part of it is when you hear any form of menopause, you automatically think of your mother or grandmother. It feels like an old-person thing, but for me, I was 37 and like not understanding what that really meant for me. And I don't think we focus so much on the word menopause without understanding that perimenopause is just the time before menopause,” she tells us.
Gabrielle Union
Photo by Brian Thomas
"But you can experience a lot of the same things during that period that people talk about, that they experienced during menopause. So you could get a hot flash, you could get the weight gain, the hair loss, depression, anxiety, like all of it, mental health challenges, all of that can come, you know, at any stage of the menopausal journey and like for me, I've been in perimenopause like 13, 14 years. When you know, most doctors are like, ‘Oh, but it's usually about ten years, and I'm like, ‘Uhh, I’m still going (laughs).’”
Conversations about perimenopause, fibroids, and all the things that are associated with women’s bodies have often been considered taboo and thus not discussed publicly. However, times are changing, and thanks to the Gabrielle’s and the Tia Mowry’s, more women are having an authentic discourse about women’s health. These open discussions lead to the creation of more safe spaces and support for one another.
“I want to be in community with folks. I don't ever want to feel like I'm on an island about anything. So, if I can help create community where we are lacking, I want to be a part of that,” she says. “So, it's like there's no harm in talking about it. You know what I mean? Like, I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change. I'm just getting better and stronger and more intelligent, more wise, more patient, more compassionate, more empathetic. All of that is very, very welcomed, and none of it should be scary.”
The Being Mary Jane star hasn’t been shy about her stance on therapy. If you don’t know, here’s a hint: she’s all for it, and she encourages others to try it as well. She likens therapy to dating by suggesting that you keep looking for the right therapist to match your needs. Two other essential keys to her growth are radical transparency and radical acceptance (though she admits she is still working on the latter).
"I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change."
Gabrielle Union and Kaavia Union-Wade
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images
“I hope that a.) you recognize that you're not alone. Seek out help and know that it's okay to be honest about what the hell is happening in your life. That's the only way that you know you can get help, and that's also the only other way that people know that you are in need if there's something going on,” she says, “because we have all these big, very wild, high expectations of people, but if they don't know what they're actually dealing with, they're always going to be failing, and you will always be disappointed. So how about just tell the truth, be transparent, and let people know where you are. So they can be of service, they can be compassionate.”
Gabrielle’s transparency is what makes her so relatable, and has so many people root for her. Whether through her TV and film projects, her memoirs, or her social media, the actress has a knack for making you feel like she’s your homegirl. Scrolling through her Instagram, you see the special moments with her family, exciting new business ventures, and jaw-dropping fashion moments. Throughout her life and career, we’ve seen her evolve in a multitude of ways. From producing films to starting a haircare line to marriage and motherhood, her journey is a story of courage and triumph. And right now, in this season, she’s asking, “What’s next?”
“This is a season of discovery and change. In a billion ways,” says the NAACP Image Award winner. “The notion of like, ‘Oh, so and so changed. They got brand new.’ I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
"I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
She continues, “So I'm just trying to figure out what's next. You know what I mean? I'm jumping into what's next. I'm excited going into what's next and new. I'm just sort of embracing all of what life has to offer.”
Look out for Gabrielle in the upcoming indie film Riff Raff, which is a crime comedy starring her and Jennifer Coolidge, and she will also produce The Idea of You, which stars Anne Hathaway.
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Feature image by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images
