Sexyy Red is the stage name of Janae Nierah Wherry, a rapper from St. Louis, Missouri. She is associated with hip hop and trap, and she begins releasing music in 2018 with her first song, “Ah Thousand Jugs”. Before becoming known as a rapper, she works as a hairdresser and a call-centre agent, and she graduates from Normandy High School in Missouri.

Early life and name

Wherry is born and raised in St. Louis. She starts rapping after writing a diss track aimed at a boyfriend who cheats on her. Her stage name comes from a long-standing nickname, “Red”, which refers to her dyed red hair.

Mixtapes and early releases

Her debut mixtape, Ghetto Superstar, appears in 2021. In 2023, she follows with Hood Hottest Princess, and both “Pound Town” and “SkeeYee” are included on that release. She later issues In Sexyy We Trust in 2024.

Breakthrough in 2023

Sexyy Red gains wider recognition in 2023 with “Pound Town”, a single made with Tay Keith that goes viral on social media. A remixed sequel, “Pound Town 2”, features Nicki Minaj and gives her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100. Her follow-up single “SkeeYee” also achieves commercial success. During the same year, she appears on remixes of DaBaby’s “Shake Sumn”, NLE Choppa’s “Slut Me Out”, and Young Nudy’s “Peaches & Eggplants” with Latto.

Work with other artists

She features on Drake’s “Rich Baby Daddy” from For All the Dogs, which reaches the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100. She also joins Drake on the It’s All a Blur Tour as an opening act in 2023, after previously appearing as a guest at shows. In 2024, she appears on Tyler, the Creator’s “Sticky” with GloRilla and Lil Wayne; the song reaches the top ten in the United States and receives a nomination for Best Rap Song at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards.

Later releases and recognition

In 2024, she releases “Get It Sexyy” before issuing In Sexyy We Trust. Her 2025 single “Whatchu Kno About Me” with GloRilla is certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. She wins Best Breakthrough Hip Hop Artist at the 2024 BET Hip Hop Awards.

Other appearances

She appears at WWE NXT on 28 May 2024 to present the new NXT Women’s North American Championship, and she hosts the 2024 NXT Battleground PLE on 9 June 2024.