Saweetie

Around the time that I was in high school, a lot of rappers were coming out with mixtapes of them rapping over other people's instrumentals, specifically Young Money.

money time people school

I was already writing poetry, so I transitioned from writing poetry a cappella to writing over beats, and it was way more exciting to me that way.

me poetry writing way

Me wanting to be an artist never really faded away. I knew that no matter what else I tried to pursue, my passion was always that.

never me passion matter

High maintenance means a lot of care. My relationships are high maintenance, my body is high maintenance, and my soul is high maintenance. I really care about my friends and my family; I eat good; I pray a lot. So it's like, I really care about my relationships with my family, my friends, my body and my soul.

good friends family soul

Well, most of my sessions have been with Hit-Boy and London, so I haven't had the opportunity to really vibe a lot in person with the other producers. But they're super open to experimenting and taking direction really well and they have good energy.

direction good energy opportunity

In the beginning, I took on every opportunity because I was so determined to get my name and music out there. You can get your sleep, but honestly your brain needs a break, too, and so many people forget that.

you music sleep people

A lot of women reach out to me and tell me my music has given them the courage and confidence to break up with not just any boyfriend, but an unhealthy relationship.

me confidence music relationship

I'm the type of person where I'll take on anything because I like to work so much.

person anything like work

My grandmother used to call me Sweetie, and I really loved it.

loved me grandmother used

My dream school was USC. So I was like, alright, I'm going to apply to USC, and If I don't get in - I'm dropping out of school, and I'm pursuing music. So I applied, and I got in. I was like alright, I'm at the number one communications school in the country, and that was my major.

music dream country school

I've been wanting to do music since I was 14, but like I've really always enjoyed giving speeches and I enjoy talking to people, so I was like, maybe I can be a newscaster.

enjoy music i-can people

Especially as an artist, the creative freedom we have makes us who we are. We're human beings-we're gonna mess up sometimes. I definitely feel like people should continue being who they are. As long as you're staying true to who you are, that's super important.

you freedom long people

I feel like an EP is for practice and an album is the game.

feel game like practice

I enjoy the life I have now, but I also enjoy doing regular stuff. I can't pull up to the club and stay outside no more. I can't be at anybody's table. A picture or video can go viral, and it can be misinterpreted.

picture doing enjoy life

If the public doesn't receive what you say, people can start to build your brand for you.

your start you people

What I don't like is when people feel like they can box an artist into who they think an artist should be.

feel think artist people

What I really love about the Bay area sound is that it's very unique and that's something I want to strive for, as an artist. It's easy to get caught up in what's trending, but Bay area rap stays true to the local sound.

true unique easy love

I feel like it's social media that's opened that door. We're able to accumulate and generate our own fan base. Once we do that and put our own work in, labels take notice that we have our own following.

door feel social-media work

It's important for women to have each other's backs. I'd like my label to give women the resources they need to flourish.

need like women important

And I get so nervous now when it's not my show, like I'm not the headliner, because I know that those fans are there for another artist. Many people might not know an upcoming artist, but I've grown to like those shows because if I can control a crowd that doesn't know me, I'm doing my job as an entertainer. I have to rise to the occasion.

control job me people