Rapper Bia has been making waves since her debut on Oxygen’s Sisterhood of Hip Hop. Since emerging on the scene, the MC has garnered a huge following due to her confident, trap-influenced flow. She has collaborated with big names in the game in her career, including Hip Hop’s leading lady, Nicki Minaj. With a long list of singles, the rapper has made her way onto the charts, starting her reign in Hip Hop. Here’s everything you need to know about the rapper BIA.
Early Life & Career
BIA, real name Bianca Miquela Landrau, is originally from Medford, Massachusetts. The rapper is of Afro-Puerto Rican and Italian descent. The star’s multicultural identity is something that the artist embraces. Growing up, she lived in a household where mixed language was used often. However, the star also had to overcome challenges from her background. This is especially true while growing up in a segregated city.
“It was hard to grow up as a mixed kid because you don’t really have a certain place,” said the rapper in an interview. “I saw the world differently, and it forced me to really know myself through music and to create my own thing.” The artist is proud of her ethnic background and is willing to defend it. She once went after online trolls who questioned the star's racial identity, saying that she “not Black” in a tweet. “Very aware of my roots guys,” she Bia in a reply to the tweet. “Very proud to be Afrolatina and Italian.”
Having dreams of becoming a rapper, she got her break when Def Jam rapper Fam-lay discovered her on YouTube. This eventually led to Bia being introduced to superproducer Pharrell. Shortly afterward, the rapper starred on the Oxygen reality show, Sisterhood of Hip Hop for two seasons. She would sign her first record deal with the I Am Other music label. This led to the artist getting the chance to collaborate with big names like T.I., Jennifer Hudson, and Usher. At RCA Records, she dropped the singles "Whip It" and "Gucci Comin' Home."
Collaborations
Bia’s catalog not only includes the fan favorites like “Cover Girl” but impressive collaborations that made their marks on the Billboard charts. Bia got her first appearance on the charts when she was featured on J Balvin’s 2016 hit, “Safari,” alongside Pharrell Williams and Sky. The single peaked at No. 3 on the US Latin Charts. Bia’s next big collab would be “Best on Earth,” her smash hit collab with rapper-singer Russ. The song peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard US Rhythmic Chart and No. 22 on the US Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs Chart. The song is certified Platinum by the RIAA.
In 2020, she returned to the charts again, this time with the remix to her single “Whole Lotta Money,” which featured Nicki Minaj. The remix to the Bia single made its way to No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. According to Rolling Stone, the Platinum-selling remix came about after Nicki heard the song and was so impressed she decided to reach out to Bia on her Instagram. The banger was nominated for Song of the Year and Best Collaboration at the 2021 BET Awards. It was also listed at No. 38 on Rolling Stone’s “50 Best Songs of 2021 list.” Already a favorite among fans and critics, the Nicki Minaj collaboration gave even more momentum to the star’s expanding career.
The rising star’s next single came from the UK drill-influenced collaboration with J. Cole, “London.” The hit 200 single would peak at No. 20 on the US Hot R&B/Hip Hop Chart. “London” reached No. 130 on the Global 200 Chart as well. The music video for “London” also gained the artist a “Best Music Video” nomination at the 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards. During her career, Bia has also hopped on the track with artists including Lil Durk, Doja Cat, T-Pain, and 21 Savage. Early in her career, Bia toured with the likes of Pusha T, Ariana Grande, and Don Toliver.
What's Next For Rapper BIA?
Still going strong from the momentum of her previous hits, Bia recently dropped another banger. Earlier this month, Bia released her newest single, “I’m That B**ch,” which features Timbaland. The single samples and takes inspiration from Missy Elliot’s “She’s a b**ch”, originally produced by Timbaland, and debuted at ten on the Billboard 200 chart at the time of its release. “I’m That B**ch is the second single for her long-awaited debut album. Future shows that fans can spot Bia performing this year includes the Metro Metro Festival in Montreal, Canada, later this month. Outside of dropping hits and performing, Bia also has her own line of cosmetics called “Beauty For Certain.”