Sexyy Red

Janae Nierah Wherry (born April 15, 1998), known professionally as Sexyy Red, is an American rapper. She rose to prominence with the release of her 2023 single "Pound Town" (with Tay Keith); its popularity spawned the remixed sequel "Pound Town 2" (with Nicki Minaj), which became her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100. Her follow-up single, "SkeeYee" was met with similar success as both were included on her second mixtape, Hood Hottest Princess (2023). Her 2024 single, "Get It Sexyy" peaked within the top 20 of the chart.

In 2023, Wherry featured on the official remixes of the singles "Shake Sumn" by DaBaby, "Slut Me Out" by NLE Choppa, and "Peaches & Eggplants" by Young Nudy, alongside rapper Latto, all of which charted on the Billboard Hot 100. She also guest featured alongside SZA on Drake's single "Rich Baby Daddy" that same year, which peaked at number 11 on the chart and was accompanied by a viral music video in which Wherry delivers her second child.

Billboard declared her as "one of the biggest breakout artists of summer 2023." She received a nomination for "Best Breakthrough Hip Hop Artist" at the 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards. Her public image, lyrics, and media presence have been described as brazenly sexual, boisterous, and "confident".

Early life
Janae Nierah Wherry was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. Wherry started rapping after penning a diss track directed towards a boyfriend who cheated on her. The stage name "Sexyy Red" was adapted from the nickname "Red" she already had for a long time due to her red dyed hair. She graduated from Normandy High School in Missouri.

Career
Red released her first song "Ah Thousand Jugs" in 2018. In 2021, she released her debut mixtape Ghetto Superstar.

In January 2023, she released "Pound Town" with Tay Keith, which later went viral on social media. In April, she was featured on the remix of NLE Choppa's "Slut Me Out". In May that same year, she released "Pound Town 2" with Nicki Minaj, which became her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100. In June, she released the mixtape Hood Hottest Princess. In August 2023, Red joined Drake on his It's All a Blur Tour as an opening act, having appeared as a guest at previous shows. Released in October, she co-performed alongside SZA on his single "Rich Baby Daddy", the third single from Drake's eighth album For All the Dogs.

On May 28, 2024, Red appeared at WWE NXT where she presented the new NXT Women's North American Championship. On June 9, 2024, she hosted the 2024 NXT Battleground PLE.

Influences
Growing up, Red listened to artists such as Gucci Mane, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Project Pat, Juicy J, Three 6 Mafia, Chief Keef, Webbie, Boosie BadAzz, and Trina. Kyle Denis remarked in Billboard that those artists "embody the unapologetically hood energy that now courses through every Sexyy Red song", with Red herself stating that she sought to emulate their "fearlessness". She has frequently been called the "Female Gucci Mane" in particular and released a song with that title on her mixtape Hood Hottest Princess.

Lyrical and musical style
Red's lyrics focus on one-sentence phrases rather than metaphors and other devices, with Jayson Buford of Rolling Stone writing that "she abstains from traditional lyricism". He also described her as a "classic Southern rapper". In Complex, Eric Skelton called her songs "full of viral lyrics". Red has stated that her daily life serves as the main inspiration for her music. Due to the often highly sexual nature of her lyrics, she has been characterized as a prominent figure of "pussy rap", although she rejects this classification and has expressed exasperation over being reduced to her sexual songs. Red is also noted for her distinctive voice and flow. She has received praise for her "authenticity" and her "energy", which are cited as factors for her success with a broad audience.

Influence
Sexyy Red has been compared with television personality Sukihana as being too raunchy and not being good influences for black women. American Rapper Trina stood up for the two in an interview with One Musicfest. Trina stated that these two should be able to be who they want and that they have the freedom of speech to say whatever they want in their music. Another Hip hop star Khia stated that she hates being compared to these women with bad intentions and have negative influences. Red later made a statement saying "she's old and washed and should not be such a hater".

Personal life
Red's first child, a son, was born in 2020. On October 15, 2023, she announced that she was pregnant with her second child in an Instagram post. She gave birth to her second child on February 5, 2024, a daughter, and footage of her in the delivery room was the center of Drake's music video for "Rich Baby Daddy", released nine days later.

In August 2023, Red disclosed on a podcast that she was a victim of rape.

Red, having expressed support for former U.S. president Donald Trump, utilizes the phrase "Make America Sexyy Again" as part of her branding. She later clarified that she is not endorsing Trump.

Tours
Headlining Supporting
 * Hood Hottest Princess Tour (2023)
 * Sexyy Red 4 President Tour (2024)
 * Moneybagg Yo – Larger than Life Tour (2023)
 * Drake and 21 Savage – It's All a Blur Tour (2023)