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), her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100. Her follow-up single, "SkeeYee", was met with similar success; both songs were included on her second mixtape, Hood Hottest Princess (2023). Billboard declared Wherry as "one of the biggest breakout artists of summer 2023."

That same year, Wherry guest appeared on the remixes of the singles "Shake Sumn" by DaBaby, "Slut Me Out" by NLE Choppa, and "Peaches & Eggplants" by Young Nudy, alongside rapper Latto. She guest appeared on Drake's 2023 single "Rich Baby Daddy", which peaked within the Billboard Hot 100's top 20. Her 2024 single, "Get It Sexyy", preceded her third mixtape, In Sexyy We Trust (2024). That same year, her appearance on Tyler, the Creator's single "Sticky", alongside GloRilla and Lil Wayne, peaked within its top ten, and was nominated for Best Rap Song at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards. Her 2025 single, "Whatchu Kno About Me" (with GloRilla) received double platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

In addition to a Grammy Award nomination, Wherry won "Best Breakthrough Hip Hop Artist" at the 2024 BET Hip Hop Awards.

Early life

Janae Nierah Wherry was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri on April 15, 1998. 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 dyed-red hair. She has previously worked as a hairdresser and a call-center agent. Wherry 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. She featured alongside SZA on his single "Rich Baby Daddy", from his eighth studio album For All the Dogs, in October. Her first top-10 song in the United States was with Tyler, the Creator over a year later. The two released a collaboration with GloRilla and Lil Wayne, "Sticky" from the album Chromakopia, in October 2024.

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.

In February 11, 2026, Red posted a video on her Instagram showing a remix of Michael Jackson's "Beat It". Shortly after, Jackson's estate responded, deeming the usage of the song as unauthorized.

Artistry

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

"I don't agree with that ["pussy rap" classification], because why is that the only thing you heard me talking about? That's the only thing that you got out of everything I just said? You just heard me say 'coochie'? I hate when they say that. I just rap about my daily life. Girls that live like me, I just rap about what we go through. I don't sit and talk about coochie all day."

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.

Public image

Sexyy Red has been a focal point in discussions about the representation of Black women in the music industry. During an interview with One Musicfest, American rapper Trina defended Red, emphasizing her right to express herself freely and to create music on her own terms. In contrast, rapper Khia voiced her disapproval of being compared to artists like Trina and Red, citing concerns over their perceived negative influence. In response, Red addressed Khia's remarks on social media, referring to her as "washed up" and "miserable".

Personal life

Red's first child, a son, was born in 2022. 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 9 days later.

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

Red, having expressed support for current U.S. president Donald Trump, has used the phrase "Make America Sexyy Again" in her branding. However, she revealed in November 2024 that she voted for Vice President Kamala Harris.

Discography

Albums

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected details
TitleAlbum details
Yo Favorite Trappa Favorite RappaReleased: April 15, 2026 Label: Rebel, Gamma Format: CD, digital download, streaming

Mixtapes

List of mixtapes, with selected details, chart positions and certifications
TitleMixtape detailsPeak chart positionsCertifications
USUS R&B /HHUS RapCAN
Ghetto SuperstarReleased: December 24, 2021 Label: Self-released Format: CD, digital download, streaming
Hood Hottest PrincessReleased: June 9, 2023 Label: Open Shift, Gamma Format: CD, digital download, streaming622113RIAA: Gold
In Sexyy We TrustReleased: May 24, 2024 Label: Open Shift, Gamma Format: CD, digital download, streaming175580
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Extended plays

List of extended plays, with selected details
TitleEP details
Pound TownReleased: April 30, 2023 Label: Open Shift Format: CD, digital download, streaming

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
TitleYearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
USUS R&B /HHUS RapUS Rhy.AUSCANIRENZUKWW
"Ah Thousand Jugs"2018Non-album singles
"Free Smoke"
"Don't Trust Em"2019
"Northside"
"Young Hot Nigga"
"Slob on My Ckat"2021
"Ghetto Freestyle"Ghetto Superstar
"Throw That MF"Non-album single
"Hood Bitch"Ghetto Superstar
"My Bitches"
"I Love My Nickel"2022Non-album singles
"Throwin' It"
"Don't Get Beat"
"My Twin"
"Born by the River" (featuring Sukihana)Hood Hottest Princess
"All White Air Forces"Non-album singles
"FYM"
"Tired"
"Pound Town" (with Tay Keith or remix with Nicki Minaj)202366211419RIAA: PlatinumHood Hottest Princess
"Push Start"Non-album single
"Female Gucci Mane"Hood Hottest Princess
"SkeeYee"62171213RIAA: Platinum
"Hood Rats" (with Sukihana)
"Hellcats SRTs" (solo or remix featuring Lil Durk)40
"Shake Yo Dreads"
"Free My N***a"
"Bow Bow Bow (F My Baby Mama)" (with Chief Keef)38RIAA: GoldNon-album single
"Get It Sexyy"2024206588273RIAA: 2× Platinum RMNZ: GoldIn Sexyy We Trust
"U My Everything" (with Drake)4412101270132RIAA: Gold
"U Kno What to Do (UKWTD)"42Non-album single
"Whatchu Kno About Me" (with GloRilla)1732159309362RIAA: 2× Platinum RMNZ: PlatinumGlorious
"Fat Juicy & Wet" (with Bruno Mars)202517445552776313222MC: PlatinumNon-album singles
"Guilt Trippin" (with Central Cee)8647
"If You Want It"50Yo Favorite Trappa Favorite Rappa
"Hang wit a Bad Bitch" (featuring Key Glock)2026322524
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

As featured artist

List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
TitleYearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
USUS R&B /HHUS RapAUSCANGERIRENZUKWW
"Sense dat God Gave You" (Summer Walker featuring Sexyy Red)2022Non-album single
"Slut Me Out (Remix)" (NLE Choppa featuring Sexyy Red)2023Cottonwood 2
"Check" (Gloss Up featuring Sexyy Red)Non-album singles
"Area Codes (314 Remix)" (Kaliii featuring Sexyy Red)
"Shiesty" (Finesse2tymes featuring Kaliii and Sexyy Red)
"Shake Sumn (Remix)" (DaBaby featuring Sexyy Red)
"Mmm Hmm" (Lancey Foux featuring Sexyy Red)Back2datrap
"Face Down" (MCVertt featuring ASAP Ferg and Sexyy Red)Non-album singles
"One Margarita (Margarita Song) (Ladies Remix)" (That Chick Angel featuring Sexyy Red, FendiDa Rappa, and Flo Milli)
"Perc & Sex" (YN Jay featuring G Herbo and Sexyy Red)
"I Love Freaks (Sexyy's Version)" (Lijay featuring Sexyy Red)
"Bing Bong (Remix)" (Blakeiana featuring Sexyy Red)
"Peaches & Eggplants (Remix)" (Young Nudy featuring Sexyy Red and Latto)
"Big Dawg" (Moneybagg Yo with Sexyy Red and CMG the Label)Gangsta Art 2
"No Panties" (Raedio featuring Sexyy Red)Rap Sh!t: The Mixtape (From the Max Original Series, S2)
"Rich Baby Daddy" (Drake featuring Sexyy Red and SZA)11431118682091016RIAA: 3× Platinum ARIA: Platinum BPI: Platinum MC: 2× Platinum RMNZ: 2× PlatinumFor All the Dogs
"All She Do Is Shake" (J Traxx featuring Sexyy Red)Non-album singles
"Hoe Shit" (GenesisTheGawd featuring Sexyy Red)
"Bent (Remix)" (41, Kyle Richh, Jenn Carter, and TaTa featuring Sexyy Red)41 World: Not the Album
"Yonce Freestyle" (Kevin Gates featuring Sexyy Red and B.G.)The Ceremony
"Daddy" (Tokischa featuring Sexyy Red)Non-album single
"Sexyy & Conceited" (Pardison Fontaine featuring Sexyy Red)Sext8pe
"Somethin'" (Nardo Wick featuring Sexyy Red)2024Non-album single
"Damn Shorty" (Chief Keef and Mike Will Made It featuring Sexyy Red)Dirty Nachos
"FTCU (SleezeMix)" (Nicki Minaj featuring Travis Scott, Chris Brown, and Sexyy Red)Non-album single
"Sticky" (Tyler, the Creator featuring GloRilla, Sexyy Red, and Lil Wayne)1011332663255723RIAA: 3× Platinum BPI: Silver MC: Platinum RMNZ: PlatinumChromakopia
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Other charted and certified songs

List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
TitleYearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
USUS R&B /HHUS RapAUSCANWW
"Looking for the Hoes (Ain't My Fault)"202349RIAA: PlatinumHood Hottest Princess
"Sweet Spot" (with Justin Bieber)20255717865476Swag
"Baller" (with Summer Walker, GloRilla, and Monaleo)962313Finally Over It
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Film Soundtrack

YearFilmSongNotes
2025F1"OMG!"Co-performed with Tiesto

Tours

Headlining

Supporting

Awards and nominations

AwardYearNomineeCategoryResultNote
BET Hip Hop Awards2023HerselfBest Breakthrough Hip Hop ArtistNominated
2024Won
BET Awards2024HerselfBest New ArtistNominated
Best Female Hip-Hop ArtistNominated
"Rich Baby Daddy" (with Drake and SZA)Best CollaborationNominated
Viewer's Choice AwardNominated
Video of the YearNominated
MTV Video Music Awards2024Best CollaborationNominated
Best Hip HopNominated
Grammy Awards2026"Sticky" (with Tyler, The Creator, GloRilla and Lil Wayne)Best Rap SongNominated

See also

Notes

External links