Alyssa Michelle Stephens, known professionally as Latto, has established herself as one of the most formidable forces in contemporary hip-hop. Born on December 22, 1998, in Atlanta, Georgia, the rapper and singer first captured the public’s attention as a teenager on Jermaine Dupri’s reality competition series The Rap Game in 2016. Performing under the moniker Miss Mulatto, she won the show’s inaugural season, though she notably declined the prize of a recording contract with Dupri’s So So Def Recordings, opting instead to forge her own path in the music industry.

Latto’s independent determination paid off with the release of her breakout single "Bitch from da Souf" in 2019. The track became a regional anthem, eventually earning double platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and marking her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100. Her momentum led to a signing with RCA Records, and the song served as the lead single for her debut studio album, Queen of da Souf (2020). The project performed moderately on the Billboard 200 and spawned the platinum-certified single "Muwop," featuring Gucci Mane. That same year, she was named to the prestigious XXL Freshman Class, solidifying her status as a rising star.

Following a name change to Latto, she achieved a massive commercial breakthrough with the 2021 single "Big Energy." The track peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, earned triple platinum certification, and landed at number seven on the Year-End Hot 100 chart. Its success translated into major industry recognition, including a Grammy nomination for Best Melodic Rap Performance for its live rendition, as well as a nod for Best New Artist at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards. "Big Energy" served as the lead single for her sophomore album, 777 (2022), which debuted at number 15 on the Billboard 200. The project also earned her a nomination for Album of the Year at the 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards, where she took home the coveted Song of the Year prize for "Big Energy."

Latto’s star continued to rise with high-profile collaborations and accolades. In 2023, her guest verse on Jung Kook’s global smash "Seven" became her first song to top both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard Global 200. That same year, her single "Put It on da Floor Again," a remix featuring Cardi B, peaked at number 13 on the Hot 100 and served as the lead single for her third studio album, Sugar Honey Iced Tea (2024), which matched the chart performance of 777. Her trophy case includes two BET Awards, a BET Hip Hop Award, a Billboard Music Award, and a MTV Video Music Award, alongside her two Grammy nominations. She was also named MTV’s "Global Push Artist of the Month" in 2021 and recognized as Variety’s "Breakthrough Artist" of 2022. With her unapologetic lyricism, commanding stage presence, and a string of chart-topping hits, Latto continues to define the sound of modern rap while cementing her legacy as a dominant voice from the South.