Saucy Santana
{{Use American English|date=September 2022}}
{{Short description|American rapper (born 1993)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Saucy Santana
| image = Headshot of Saucy Santana 2022.jpg
| alt = Headshot of Saucy Santana under harsh lighting against a dark background
| caption = Saucy Santana in 2022
| birth_name = Rashad Jamiyl Spain
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|10|08}}
| birth_place = Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S.
| origin = Perry, Florida, U.S.
| genre = {{hlist|Hip hop|gangsta rap}}
| occupations = {{hlist|Rapper|songwriter}}
| years_active = 2019–present
| label = {{hlist|Arena Music|RCA}}
| website = {{url|saucy-santana.com}}
}}
Rashad Jamiyl Spain{{cite magazine |url= https://www.vogue.com/article/saucy-santana-musician-meme-moment |title= Saucy Santana Is the Musician, the Meme, the Moment |author= AMEL MUKHTAR |magazine= Vogue |date= May 9, 2022 |access-date= May 12, 2022 |archive-date= May 10, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220510211121/https://www.vogue.com/article/saucy-santana-musician-meme-moment |url-status= live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/908745958 |title=BACK IT UP |website=ASCAP |publisher=American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers |access-date=July 8, 2023 |archive-date=November 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106193550/https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/908745958 |url-status=live }} (born October 8, 1993), known professionally as Saucy Santana, is an American rapper. He began his career as a makeup artist for the hip hop duo City Girls, and soon after embarked on a recording career in February 2019 with his debut single "Walk Em Like A Dog". Meanwhile, he became a recurring guest on the reality television franchise Love & Hip Hop: Miami. In 2021, Santana gained further prominence when his singles "Walk" and "Here We Go" spawned viral challenges on TikTok. That same year, he released the song "Material Girl," and later released the song's remix "Material Gworrllllllll!" with Madonna.
Early life
Santana was born to Adrienne Spain{{Cite web |date=March 10, 2022 |title=Meet Saucy Santana: 7 Things To Know About the Material Gworl |url=https://www.pride.com/music/2022/3/10/meet-saucy-santana-7-things-know-about-material-gworl |access-date=June 10, 2022 |website=pride.com |language=en |archive-date=June 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610190622/https://www.pride.com/music/2022/3/10/meet-saucy-santana-7-things-know-about-material-gworl |url-status=live }} on October 8, 1993.{{Cite news|last=Marchante|first=Michelle|title=Who is Saucy Santana? Florida rapper shot near a strip club found fame on SoundCloud|work=Miami Herald|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article238304783.html|access-date=June 27, 2021|archive-date=June 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627062602/https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article238304783.html|url-status=live}} He grew up in Bridgeport, Connecticut, before moving to Florida when he was 10 years old.{{Cite web|date=October 8, 2020|title=The UB Interview: Saucy Santana Talks Music, Headlines and LGBT|url=https://urbanbridgez.com/2020/10/08/the-ub-interview-saucy-santana-talks-music-headlines-and-lgbt/|access-date=June 27, 2021|website=UrbanBridgez|archive-date=June 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627064115/https://urbanbridgez.com/2020/10/08/the-ub-interview-saucy-santana-talks-music-headlines-and-lgbt/|url-status=live}} Santana is of Afro-Dominican descent through his grandmother.{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd0soJstxfs&ab_channel=BreakbeatMedia | title=Saucy Santana Talks Dating Women, Coming Out, Success as a Rapper, Overcoming Obstacles + More Ep.29 | via=YouTube | date=March 30, 2022 | access-date=December 22, 2022 | archive-date=December 22, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222012212/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd0soJstxfs&ab_channel=BreakbeatMedia | url-status=live }} He started his career in the music industry by working as a makeup artist for City Girls,{{Cite web|title=Rapper Saucy Santana Sits Down With ESSENCE For A Fun Q&A|url=https://www.essence.com/fashion/rapper-saucy-santana-sits-down-with-essence/|access-date=June 27, 2021|website=Essence|archive-date=May 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516142246/https://www.essence.com/fashion/rapper-saucy-santana-sits-down-with-essence/|url-status=live}} and started rapping in February 2019 when he created a theme song for the podcast that he hosted with his friends at the time.{{Cite AV media |date=November 29, 2019|title=Saucy Santana 'Walk Em Like A Dog' Official Lyrics & Meaning |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Acdbo5OPw6g&t=38s|access-date=October 23, 2021|publisher=Genius|time=0:38 |archive-date=March 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301145525/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Acdbo5OPw6g&t=38s|url-status=live |via=YouTube}}
Career
Santana uploaded his debut single "Walk 'Em Like a Dog" to the audio distribution platform SoundCloud in August 2019. This release was followed by his debut EP, Dog Walkers, in September 2019, and then the mixtape Imma Celebrity in January 2020.{{Cite web|last=Matozzo|first=Marissa|date=January 15, 2020|title=There's a New 'Material Girl' in Town|url=https://www.papermag.com/saucy-santana-material-girl-premiere-2644822687.html?rebelltitem=14#rebelltitem14?rebelltitem=14|access-date=December 25, 2021|website=Paper|archive-date=June 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629023800/https://www.papermag.com/saucy-santana-material-girl-premiere-2644822687.html?rebelltitem=14#rebelltitem14?rebelltitem=14|url-status=live}} Santana featured as a recurring guest on the third season of the reality television franchise Love & Hip Hop: Miami,{{Cite web|last=Malone Méndez|first=Chris|date=August 3, 2021|title=11 Trailblazing LGBTQ+ Rappers You Should Be Streaming Right Now|url=https://www.popsugar.com/node/48439754|access-date=October 23, 2021|website=Popsugar}} which aired on VH1 from January 6, 2020, to April 6, 2020.{{Cite web|last=Dutta|first=Anisha|date=April 6, 2020|title=Has Love and Hip Hop Miami Been Renewed?|url=https://thecinemaholic.com/love-and-hip-hop-miami-season-4/|access-date=December 25, 2021|website=The Cinemaholic|language=en-US|archive-date=December 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211225204400/https://thecinemaholic.com/love-and-hip-hop-miami-season-4/|url-status=live}} In July 2020, Santana released his second mixtape Pretty Little Gangsta, bolstered by the singles "Up & Down" featuring American rapper Latto,{{Cite web|last=Williams|first=Aaron|date=August 21, 2020|title=Mulatto Goes From Teen TV Star To Rap Royalty With 'Queen Of Da Souf'|url=https://uproxx.com/music/mulatto-queen-of-da-souf-interview/|url-status=live|access-date=June 27, 2021|website=Uproxx|archive-date=May 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520060930/https://uproxx.com/music/mulatto-queen-of-da-souf-interview/}} and "Back It Up" featuring American rapper LightSkinKeisha.{{Cite web|last=Williams|first=Aaron|date=August 13, 2020|title=Saucy Santana's 'Back It Up' Video With LightSkinKeisha Gets Messy|url=https://uproxx.com/music/saucy-santana-back-it-up-video-lightskinkeisha/|url-status=live|access-date=June 27, 2021|website=Uproxx|archive-date=April 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428123949/https://uproxx.com/music/saucy-santana-back-it-up-video-lightskinkeisha/}} Santana featured on American rapper Sukihana's single "Food Stamp Hoe" in August 2021.{{Cite web|date=March 10, 2021|title=Sukihana And Saucy Santana's 'Food Stamp H*e' Video Is A Risque Effort|url=https://uproxx.com/music/sukihana-saucy-santana-food-stamp-hoe/|access-date=June 27, 2021|website=Uproxx|archive-date=April 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428133553/https://uproxx.com/music/sukihana-saucy-santana-food-stamp-hoe/|url-status=live}} His 2020 single "Walk" went viral in 2021 after being used for the popular TikTok #WalkChallenge,{{Cite web|last=Logan|first=Manseen|date=November 23, 2021|title=The Best TikTok Trends and Challenges Right Now|url=https://www.complex.com/life/best-tiktok-trends-challenges-right-now/|access-date=December 25, 2021|website=Complex|archive-date=December 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206131915/https://www.complex.com/life/best-tiktok-trends-challenges-right-now/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=John|first=Arit|date=January 21, 2021|title=Cold Bernie, Flawless Michelle: the best memes from the inauguration|url=https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2021-01-20/the-internet-says-goodbye-to-trump-and-welcomes-back-radical-normalcy|access-date=October 23, 2021|website=Los Angeles Times|archive-date=October 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023202110/https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2021-01-20/the-internet-says-goodbye-to-trump-and-welcomes-back-radical-normalcy|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Sidibay|first=Madusa|date=April 24, 2021|title=Saucy Santana Previews Fiery New Fatman Scoop "Walk" Remix|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/saucy-santana-previews-fiery-new-fatman-scoop-walk-remix-news.130762.html|access-date=October 23, 2021|website=HotNewHipHop.com|archive-date=October 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023200608/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/saucy-santana-previews-fiery-new-fatman-scoop-walk-remix-news.130762.html|url-status=live}} and earned him a cosign from rapper Nicki Minaj.{{Cite web|last=Marie|first=Erika|date=October 16, 2021|title=Nicki Minaj Struts To Saucy Santana's "Walk," Says She Would Work With Him|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/nicki-minaj-struts-to-saucy-santanas-walk-says-she-would-work-with-him-news.141058.html|access-date=October 23, 2021|website=HotNewHipHop.com|archive-date=October 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023200607/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/nicki-minaj-struts-to-saucy-santanas-walk-says-she-would-work-with-him-news.141058.html|url-status=live}} His singles "Here We Go" and "Material Girl" also gained prominence on the platform throughout the year; the latter of which received a cosign from Madonna, who performed a medley of both her song "Material Girl" and Santana's "Material Girl" with him at NYC Pride in 2022.{{Cite web|last=Pellot|first=Emerald|date=December 16, 2021|title='Material Girl' TikTok explained: Saucy Santana song goes viral|url=https://www.intheknow.com/post/material-girl-tiktok-song-saucy-santana/|access-date=December 25, 2021|website=In The Know|archive-date=December 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211225204400/https://www.intheknow.com/post/material-girl-tiktok-song-saucy-santana/|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=McCafferty |first1=Kenna |title=Madonna and Saucy Santana Perform 'Material Girl' |url=https://www.papermag.com/madonna-saucy-santana-2657560223.html?rebelltitem=5 |work=Paper Magazine |date=June 24, 2022 |access-date=June 29, 2022 |archive-date=June 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628223859/https://www.papermag.com/madonna-saucy-santana-2657560223.html?rebelltitem=5#rebelltitem5 |url-status=live }} They would later release the version they performed as a single, entitled "Material Gworrllllllll!"{{Cite web |last=Shutler |first=Ali |date=August 8, 2022 |title=Madonna teams up with viral star Saucy Santana for 'Material Gworrllllllll!' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/madonna-teams-up-with-viral-star-saucy-santana-for-material-girl-3285355 |access-date=August 8, 2022 |website=NME |language=en-GB |archive-date=August 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808130811/https://www.nme.com/news/music/madonna-teams-up-with-viral-star-saucy-santana-for-material-girl-3285355 |url-status=live }} His debut studio album Keep It Playa was released on December 16, 2021, and featured the single "Shisha", his first collaboration with City Girls, with whom he originally began his career as a makeup artist.{{Cite web|last=Helfand|first=Raphael|date=December 16, 2021|title=Saucy Santana and City Girls pass the hookah on "Shisha"|url=https://www.thefader.com/2021/12/16/saucy-santana-and-city-girls-pass-the-hookah-on-shisha|access-date=December 25, 2021|website=The Fader|archive-date=December 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211225204400/https://www.thefader.com/2021/12/16/saucy-santana-and-city-girls-pass-the-hookah-on-shisha|url-status=live}}
In August 2022, Santana made his debut on The Tonight Show, performing "Booty".{{Cite web |last1=Corrine |first1=Amber |date=August 5, 2022 |title=Saucy Santana Makes Late-Night TV Debut With "Booty" Performance |url=https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/saucy-santana-tonight-show-booty-performance-1234683751/ |access-date=August 8, 2022 |website=Vibe (magazine) |language=en-US |archive-date=August 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808130812/https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/saucy-santana-tonight-show-booty-performance-1234683751/ |url-status=live }} Santana also performed "Booty" at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards "Pre-Show".
In January 2024, Santana joined the cast of the reality television show, Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta during the second half of the eleventh season, in a supporting role. He was promoted to the main cast for the twelfth season.
Artistry
File:Saucy Santana in 2021.png
Santana has cited Gucci Mane, Trina, and Tampa Tony as influences.{{Cite magazine|last=Stanley|first=Marquin|title=Saucy Santana Wants to Lead By Example for Other Aspiring LGBTQ Rappers|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8549550/saucy-santana-wants-to-lead-by-example-for-other-aspiring-lgbtq-rappers|access-date=December 25, 2021|magazine=Billboard|archive-date=July 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729092022/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8549550/saucy-santana-wants-to-lead-by-example-for-other-aspiring-lgbtq-rappers|url-status=live}}
Filmography
| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%" |
| style="text-align:center;"
! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |
| 2020
| Himself | 5 episodes |
| 2022
|The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon | Himself | Guest; performer |
| 2022
| MTV Push | Himself | Guest |
| 2023
| Himself | Guest |
| 2023
| Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero | Himself | Guest |
| 2023
| Himself | 1 episode |
| 2024
| Himself | Main |
| 2024
| Himself | Presenter |
| 2024
| Bad vs. Wild | Himself | Guest; performer |
| 2024
| College Hill: Celebrity Edition | Himself | 8 episodes |
| 2024
| Himself | Reunion host |
| 2025
| Himself | Judge |
| 2025
| Himself | Reunion host |
Personal life
Santana came out as gay at age 17.
On December 11, 2019, Santana and two others were shot in a drive-by shooting in Miami.{{Cite web|last=Dwork|first=Christina Vazquez, David|date=December 11, 2019|title=Celebrity rapper Saucy Santana shot in arm after leaving Miami-Dade strip club|url=https://www.local10.com/news/local/2019/12/11/celebrity-rapper-saucy-santana-shot-in-arm-after-leaving-miami-dade-strip-club/|access-date=June 27, 2021|publisher=WPLG|archive-date=June 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627062605/https://www.local10.com/news/local/2019/12/11/celebrity-rapper-saucy-santana-shot-in-arm-after-leaving-miami-dade-strip-club/|url-status=live}} Santana, who was hospitalized for his injuries, stated that he believes the shooting was motivated by homophobia.{{Cite web|title=Rapper Saucy Santana Among 3 Hurt in Shooting on Miami Highway|url=https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/national-international/saucy-santana-shooting-miami-highway/2193473/|access-date=June 27, 2021|website=NBC Connecticut|date=December 12, 2019 |archive-date=June 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627062603/https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/national-international/saucy-santana-shooting-miami-highway/2193473/|url-status=live}} He said of the shooting, "I got shot in the top of my shoulder, you was [sic] aiming at my face or at my head, that's an instant kill." This incident inspired him to write the song "You Can't Kill Me".
Selected discography
= Studio albums =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: center;" |
| scope="col" style="width:11em;"| Title
! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| Album details |
|---|
| scope="row"| Keep It Playa
|
|
= Mixtapes =
= Extended plays =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: center;" |
| scope="col" style="width:11em;"| Title
! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| EP details |
|---|
| scope="row"| Dog Walkers{{Cite web|title=Dog Walkers EP by Saucy Santana|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/dog-walkers-ep/1487835438|url-status=live|access-date=December 25, 2021|via=Apple Music|archive-date=December 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211225204409/https://music.apple.com/us/album/dog-walkers-ep/1487835438}}
|
|
= Singles =
== As lead artist ==
== As featured artist ==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| Title ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Album |
| scope="row"| "Food Stamp Hoe" (Sukihana featuring Saucy Santana and Dontaye Williams) | 2021 | rowspan="4" {{N/A|Non-album singles}} |
|---|
| scope="row"| "Bossy" (RealXman featuring Saucy Santana) | 2022 |
| scope="row"| "Pinot Noir" (IDK featuring Jucee Froot and Saucy Santana) | rowspan="2"| 2023 |
| scope="row"| "Broke" (Khadijah featuring Saucy Santana) |
Awards and nominations
= Results =
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Award !Nomination !Work !Result !Ref. |
| rowspan="2" |2022
|Best Push | rowspan="2" |Himself |{{nominated}} |
| People's Choice Awards
|The New Artist of 2022 |{{nominated}} |
| 2023
|Push Performance of the Year |"Booty" |{{Nominated}} |{{Cite web |last=MTV |title=Vote Now – Nominees for 2023 MTV Video Music Awards |url=https://www.mtv.com/vma/vote/ |access-date=August 8, 2023 |publisher=MTV |archive-date=November 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127202927/https://www.mtv.com/vma/vote/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Curto |first=Justin |date=September 12, 2023 |title=Here Are the 2023 VMA Winners |url=https://www.vulture.com/2023/09/2023-mtv-vma-winners-full-list.html |access-date=September 13, 2023 |website=Vulture |language=en-us |archive-date=September 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912215313/https://www.vulture.com/2023/09/2023-mtv-vma-winners-full-list.html |url-status=live }} |
References
{{Reflist}}
Category:21st-century African-American musicians
Category:21st-century American male rappers
Category:21st-century American rappers
Category:African-American LGBTQ people
Category:African-American rappers
Category:American gay musicians
Category:American LGBTQ rappers
Category:LGBTQ people from Florida
Category:Musicians from Bridgeport, Connecticut
Category:Participants in American reality television series
Category:People from Perry, Florida