Sexyy Red, AKA the Hood’s Hottest Princess, has been making waves in the music industry. This surge in popularity seems to have ignited with her breakout hit, “Pound Town“. With her larger-than-life persona and raunchy yet catchy lyrics, she has ascended to stardom. But like many artists in today’s landscape, one must wonder: how long will this trajectory last? Additionally, how can Sexyy further enhance her artistry?

A pressing issue in the current music scene is the overwhelming trend of individualism. Many artists struggle to differentiate themselves from others within their genre, leading to a decline in the overall quality of music and lowering our expectations as listeners. In the female Hip-Hop arena, artists like Doja Cat, Latto, and Megan Thee Stallion have held the torch for years. Meanwhile, GloRilla, who had the biggest first-week sales for a female Hip-Hop artist in 2024, shares a similar ascent with Sexyy Red. GloRilla’s anthem, “F.N.F (Let’s Go)“, became the soundtrack of summer, marking her rise from underground to mainstream success. Examining the timelines, one notable factor distinguishes their careers: Drake.

Drake is renowned for collaborating with the hottest trending artists. On October 6, 2023, he released his eighth studio album, For All The Dogs. This album features big names like Bad Bunny, 21 Savage, and J. Cole. The album’s third single, “Rich Baby Daddy“, showcases both Sexyy Red and Grammy Award-winning artist SZA, propelling Sexyy further into the limelight as the single became platinum in multiple countries. Furthermore, Drake also collaborated with Sexyy on her last single, “U My Everything“, for her third mixtape, In Sexyy We Trust. This co-sign undeniably positions Sexyy Red among the elite in female rap.

In many ways, the collaboration with Drake has served Sexyy well, drawing significant attention to her music. Personally, I can relate; as someone from Saint Louis, I had always heard about her but never truly listened until I stumbled upon her collaboration with one of my favorite U.K. artists, Lancey Foux, on “MMM HMM“. That track, along with “Rich Baby Daddy“, dominated my TikTok For You Page and compelled me to become a dedicated listener.

I admire her authenticity and the energetic tracks that encapsulate our city’s nightlife. It’s exciting to witness her rise, but as a fan, I’d like to see her evolve in a few key areas. Firstly, I encourage her to collaborate with a broader range of artists. Given Taylor Swift recent success with Ice Spice, a partnership between Sexyy and Ariana Grande could yield interesting results. Secondly, I want to hear more personal narratives in her music. For example, one of her influences, Trina, explores themes of infidelity in songs like “Here We Go“. Sexyy could dive into experiences of motherhood or relationships with incarcerated partners.

Finally, I’d love to see Sexyy create a track that embodies the essence of “Rich Baby Daddy.” This song nods to the classic vibe of Ghost Town DJ’s “My Boo“, which has been a staple on every freaknik playlist since the ’90s. It would be a fantastic homage to the culture and a perfect addition to her repertoire. Just one time, Sexyy!