Saweetie Gets Vulnerable About Her Career: “I'm A Confident Woman, But I Was A Very Insecure Artist”
Saweetie is no stranger to opening up about things she goes through behind the scenes in her career. She has stated on multiple occasions how she struggles with her mental health, and now she is getting vulnerable about her artistry. The “Richtivities” rapper’s career took off after dropping “Icy Grl” in 2018, and since then, she has dropped many other hits like “My Type” and “Best Friend,” which she collaborated on with Doja Cat and earned a Grammy nomination.
However, her quick ascend left her feeling exposed. After taking some time away from the music industry to get back to her essence and hiring a new team, Saweetie is ready to show up for her fans and prove critics wrong. The Bay area artist spoke to Allure in a candid interview about the reality of what she deals with in her career, her safe space, and what’s next. Here are nine things we learned.
Saweetie on the biggest mistake labels make
“The labels, they always want you to go straight pop, but the reason I came into the music industry is I love to get my thoughts off. My stream of consciousness is in my freestyles. It was just like, ‘I’m releasing it. I have to.’ Before we go into the radio and whatever y'all want to do that's cool, but let me do what I like.”
She continues, “It all started with me rapping in my car. I think that's the biggest mistake labels make these days. They take the artists away from what they're inherently good at — the reasons their fan base fell in love with them. And I think it's unfortunate that sometimes the art gets lost in that transition.”
Saweetie on the sexist advice she received from music executives
“I was told I should twerk more on my Instagram,” she revealed. “I was told that my voice was very boring. I was told that I rapped too monotone and needed more energy. I was told that I needed to share more of my life on the internet.”
“I'm going to twerk when I want to. That's not going to be my marketing. And if that's what you truly love to do, then empower yourself through that. But that's not innate to me. If I get caught at a party or if I'm turning up, okay, cool. But I'm not finna do that because you guys think I should. That's lazy marketing.”
Saweetie on feeling insecure as an artist
“I just feel like nobody was caring about my music,” she said of her team at the time. “To me, music is sacred. It's coming from your spirit. You can't just go finish an album in a week. That’s why it’s taking me so long. That’s why I haven’t dropped an album yet.”
“I don't mean to dampen the mood,” she continued. “But this is, realistically, how my career has been. We were constantly criticized for every drop. I was just very insecure. I'm a confident woman, but I was a very insecure artist.”
Saweetie on how blowing up quickly affected her artistry
“‘Icy Grl’ and ‘My Type’ blew up so quick, I was on the market almost immediately,” she said. “So I didn't have time to develop.”
Saweetie on the criticism about her stage presence when performing
“That's not my strength,” she admitted, “and that's okay because you're supposed to turn your weaknesses into strengths.”
Saweetie on not feeling protected in the music industry
“No, I don’t feel protected,” she said. There’s a heaviness that hovers over us."
She continued, "I'm not the only person. I know that there’s probably other people who feel the same way I feel. Why is it that some people get protected and some people don't?”
Saweetie on "The Single Life" EP drama
“I went to war with no soldiers, there was no ammo. I felt like I was left out to dry by my label and everyone around me. There was no public support. Honestly, I internalized that situation, but I'm used to doing that.”
Saweetie on her safe space
“The shower is my safe space,” she said. “I love taking out a wig or a weave, washing my hair, and really letting the energy off my head. I think that's how I cope. I like to get roses and put them on the floor and stand on them.”
Saweetie on not wanting to give up
“There's been a lot of times these past couple of years where I've given up on myself. Whether people knew about that or not, I just felt myself giving up, and I don't want to do that anymore.”
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Feature image by Kevin Mazur/WireImage
London Alexaundria is the contributing editor for xoNecole. She is an alum of Clark Atlanta University, where she majored in Mass Media Arts and has worked in journalism for over ten years. You can follow her on Instagram and TikTok @theselfcarewriter
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage
