Sexyy Red, the bold and unapologetic rapper from St. Louis, Missouri, is making serious waves in the music world—and with that, her net worth is growing fast. As of 2024, Sexyy Red’s net worth is estimated to be around $1 million. Born Janae Nierah Wherry on April 15, 1998, she is currently 26 years old and one of the most talked-about rising stars in hip hop.
From viral hits and Billboard-charting singles to high-profile collaborations with artists like Drake and Nicki Minaj, Sexyy Red has come a long way since dropping her first track in 2018. But how did she get here? Let’s break down her journey—from the early days to her big breakthroughs, unique style, and what’s next for the self-proclaimed “Female Gucci Mane.”
Where Did Sexyy Red Get Her Start?
Sexyy Red didn’t plan to become a rapper—her journey started after a personal heartbreak. When her boyfriend cheated, she turned to music to write a diss track. That raw emotion sparked something bigger. Her first viral moment came in 2018 with “Ah Thousand Jugs,” a wild rework of Vanessa Carlton’s “A Thousand Miles.” The internet took notice.
Her stage name? That came naturally. She told Complex in 2023 that she’d always gone by “Red” because of her signature red hair. When it came time to upload her first track, her cameraman suggested “Sexyy Red,” and it just stuck. “It fits,” she said—and clearly, it does.
What Were Her First Major Music Moves?
Before the world knew her name, Red was grinding. In 2019, she dropped singles like “Don’t Trust Em,” “Free Smoke,” and “Northside.” Her gritty, no-filter style started catching on.
Then came her first mixtape—“Ghetto Superstar”—released on Christmas Eve in 2021. It featured raw and bold tracks like “Ghetto Freestyle” and “Hood Bitch.” By this time, she was carving out her space in the rap scene. In 2022, she teamed up with Summer Walker for the controversial video “Sense Dat God Gave You” and kept her momentum with more street anthems like “All White Air Forces” and “FYM.”
What Sparked Sexyy Red’s Breakout in 2023?
2023 was the year Sexyy Red exploded. The viral TikTok hit “Pound Town” (produced by Tay Keith) launched her into mainstream conversations. Its catchy, outrageous lyrics made it a social media sensation. Soon after, Nicki Minaj jumped on the remix—“Pound Town 2”—giving the track an even bigger boost. It hit #66 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Red’s first chart entry.
She kept the pressure on with her second mixtape, “Hood Hottest Princess,” featuring bangers like “SkeeYee” and “Hellcats SRTs.” The project landed at #62 on the Billboard 200. By the end of the year, Red was featured on Drake’s hit “Rich Baby Daddy” with SZA—which skyrocketed to #11 on the Hot 100.
Her catalog saw a 24.5% streaming boost from late June to early July, reaching over 11.1 million U.S. streams in one week. Not bad for someone who started out making a diss track in her bedroom.
How Would You Describe Her Style and Influence?
Sexyy Red isn’t your typical lyricist—and that’s the point. Her style is loud, confident, and radically real. Think raw bars and wild one-liners that stick in your head. Rolling Stone said she “eschews traditional lyricism,” and that’s part of her charm.
She’s not shy about her influences, either. She grew up listening to Lil Wayne, Chief Keef, Gucci Mane, Webbie, and Trina. Fans and critics alike often compare her to Gucci Mane, which she leans into with her track “Female Gucci Mane.”
What’s Known About Her Personal Life?
Outside the studio, Sexyy Red is a mother. She gave birth to her first child in 2020, and in October 2023, she revealed that she was pregnant with her second child.
She’s also had deeply personal and painful experiences. In an appearance on “A Safe Place Podcast” in 2023, she shared that she had been a victim of rape. Unfortunately, the hosts’ dismissive response sparked online backlash, as fans called out the lack of empathy during such a vulnerable moment.
That same year, her name made headlines again when a sex tape was posted to her Instagram Stories. While rumors swirled that it was a distraction from her pro-Trump comments during a podcast appearance with Theo Von, Red denied leaking the video herself and said she was “heartbroken.”
Has She Received Any Awards or Recognition?
In 2023, Sexyy Red was nominated for Best Breakthrough Hip Hop Artist at the BET Hip Hop Awards. And while she didn’t take home the trophy, the nomination proved she had the industry’s attention.
She was also named by Billboard as one of the biggest breakout stars of summer 2023, with the magazine praising her ability to deliver “outrageously obscene songs” that stay stuck in your head.
What’s Next for Sexyy Red?
With her fearless energy and a growing fan base, Sexyy Red’s trajectory only seems to be climbing. Whether she’s stirring up controversy, dropping viral bangers, or collaborating with the biggest names in the game, she’s doing it her way.
One thing’s for sure: the rap game has a new queen of chaos—and she’s not slowing down anytime soon.
