Saweetie

Diamonté Quiava Valentin Harper, known professionally as Saweetie, was born on July 2, 1993, in Santa Clara, California. She developed an early interest in music, beginning to write songs at the age of 13. Saweetie pursued higher education, initially attending San Diego State University before transferring to the University of Southern California, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in communication in 2016. Following her graduation, she began to focus on her music career, laying the groundwork for her eventual rise in the hip-hop scene. Her dedication to her craft and academic background provided a foundation for her strategic approach to the entertainment industry.

Saweetie’s career gained momentum in 2017 when she began uploading freestyle rap videos to Instagram. Her freestyle over Khia’s “My Neck, My Back (Lick It)” evolved into her debut single, “Icy Grl.” The track was released on SoundCloud in the summer of 2017 and quickly went viral, attracting the attention of producer and A&R executive Max Gousse, who became her manager. This viral success led to a significant milestone in February 2018 when Saweetie signed with Warner Bros. Records (now Warner Records) in a joint venture with Gousse’s label, Artistry Worldwide. That same month, she established her own record label, Icy Records, demonstrating an early ambition to control her creative and business ventures. Her debut EP, “High Maintenance,” was released on March 16, 2018, featuring production by CashMoneyAP, Nyrell, and her cousin Zaytoven. “Icy Grl” achieved Gold certification in June 2018, and by September 2019, it received multi-platinum RIAA certification and topped Billboard’s rhythmic songs airplay chart.

Saweetie continued to build on her success with the release of her second EP, “Icy,” in March 2019. The lead single, “My Type,” became her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 21 and later achieving double-platinum certification. This period also marked the beginning of her extensive brand partnership portfolio, including a 59-piece clothing collection with PrettyLittleThing, which debuted during New York Fashion Week in September 2019. Her singles “Tap In” (2020) and “Best Friend” featuring Doja Cat (2021) further cemented her commercial appeal, both reaching the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100. Saweetie received nominations for Best Rap/Sung Performance (“Best Friend”) and Best New Artist at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards. Her entrepreneurial endeavors expanded with the launch of Icy University, a virtual educational content series, and numerous collaborations with prominent brands across various sectors.