The UB Interview: Saucy Santana Talks Music, Headlines and LGBTQ

When it comes to his presence as a rapper in the industry, rising hip-hop star Saucy Santana is, in his own words, “doing s–t the girls couldn’t do before me.” Today he turns 27-years-old and has gained millions of YouTube views, thanks to the increased recognition he is receiving from his steady rise in the music industry.

Hailing from Tallahassee, Santana has taken the internet by storm, thanks to his Miami-infused hip-hop style, his infectious personality, and his close friendship with City Girls star Yung Miami. Santana‘s regular appearances on “Love & Hip-Hop Miami” always hype up the drama by bringing the tea. His debut single “Walk Em Like a Dog” went viral with over 5 million streams and 6 million views on YouTube.

Back in December, the rapper proved to his fanbase that nothing will slow him down after being injured in a drive-by shooting in Miami. Santana, in turn, decided to get real about the attack by delivering a fiery response in his track and visual for “You Can’t Kill Me,” which quickly went on to become one of his most-viewed YouTube videos to date.

He released his mixtape “Imma Celebrity” in January featuring the hit singles “Material Girl” and “Trap Girl“, again, streaming virally within the first week with over 12 million plays to-date. Embracing a fierce style, unapologetic attitude, and strong mindset has helped Santana to break through doors and establish his online presence as a rapper on the rise.

Just this summer he released his debut album “Pretty Little Gangsta” via StreamCut/RCA. The 19-track album’s guests include LightSkinKeisha, Mulatto, Renni Rucci, Tokyo, Jetz, Jucee Froot, KaMillion and Ivorian Doll.

Recently Santana spoke with Aries about his debut album, how he made gangsta films pretty and working with LightSkinKeisha and Sukihana.

Plus Saucy Santana gets candid on Love and Hip Hop and clears up the Pool Party headlines.

And Santa shares his influences with us and gives LGBTQ artists great advice.

———-

UrbanBridgez.com: When did you know you wanted to get into entertainment?
Saucy Santana: I didn’t really plan to, I was a make-up artist before I started rapping. I had other hustles as well, but when I started rapping I made a song and it became a hit. So it wasn’t nothing I had really planned to do, it just happened.

UrbanBridgez.com: Recently your “Maneater” visual was trending on Twitter and for good reason, tell us about incorporating motion pictures in your visuals?
Saucy Santana: With Maneater I only uploaded it because when I had first came out with Pretty Little Gangsta, the idea was to show people gangsta movies that they knew. But to make them pretty. I still have my make-up on and still have my nails on. So with Friday, New Jack City, Set It Off and Belly they was gangsta films but made pretty. I just released the full videos, because my fans were going crazy about the clips.

UrbanBridgez.com: How would you describe you and your style of music?
Saucy Santana: My music is kind of raunchy, kind of ratchet. But still very impowering at the same time.

UrbanBridgez.com: Why did you and LightSkinKeisha finally decide to link on Back it Up’?
Saucy Santana: We’re kind of on the same label and we’ve been friends. I love Keisha, I was like sis I’m going to send you a song. She’s very animated and stuff, so I thought she would be perfect for it.

UrbanBridgez.com: What’s the latest with Love and Hip Hop Miami and what’s been the best and worst parts for you shooting the series?
Saucy Santana: Nothing we’re not shooting. The best part is exposure, the worst part is how they would like for gays to be perceived.

UrbanBridgez.com: Please clear up for anyone who isn’t clear, what happened at the Pool Party that made headlines?
Saucy Santana: I feel like it’s very clear. One thing I love about my fans, is they be knowing and be like child please! As soon as all of the blogs posted it, my fans were like hell no. I also think people know the stigma people have, like why come over here and mess with a group of gays? Where literally everybody was in their own section, in the pool. There were no children around us, so to think they can come over and start with us I don’t play that. I’m glad people on the internet didn’t even believe it. I understand blogs have to post stuff, to have their stories. But it was completely false. There were actually fans of mine out there, who are followers. They posted they was there and it was all false.

UrbanBridgez.com: Well I’m happy you actually spoke up on it.
Saucy Santana: With gays it’s always these weird people that have a problems with gays. Like with Love and Hip Hop, they want gays to be seen as nasty and just about drama. All of that is not what being gay is all about. And just because we’re gay, doesn’t mean we’re pedophiles and want to mess with children. It was like over 10 gay boys, if we wanted to touch somebody there was 10 of us right there.

UrbanBridgez.com: What’s something you would like to see more of from the LGBT community, when it comes to supporting LGBT recording artists, as well from heterosexuals? The talent is there with so many LGBT artists, but the support isn’t.
Saucy Santana: With the gays, everybody wants to be so fab. Everybody wants to be #1 with it, not realizing that you have to wait your turn. So it’s like if you can’t beat them, join them. Instead of being so angry that it’s someone else, ask them like hey what did you do to get here? One of the things I try to do and tell LGBT artists all the time, it’s a lot in your tone when you rap and what you rap about. When I first started rapping and came out with Walk Em Like a Dog, they thought it was a girl before they seen the visual. When I go to McDonalds just on the regular and not me trying to change my voice or anything, they be like thank you ma’am. So that was something that got me through the door. I don’t sound like no harsh man, rapping about sexual content. With LGBT if you only rap them themes you’re going to be stuck on that bridge. For black gay pride in Atlanta, I have more shows booked at straight clubs, than gay. Because I’m able to go everywhere. So when we’re rapping and stuff and being gay and if you’re already feminine, you want to come from that standpoint. If you’re more masculine and gay, don’t do any of the feminine stuff. Like don’t say stuff like come and get it boy, you have to realize we’re in reality. I use to perform in the strip clubs all the time and if I’m like yeah going to your house and put my thing in your baby daddy. They would be like wait, what? But if I’m like come eat this cat, ain’t nobody going to say anything. So just watch your ways and tone and keep everything universal.

UrbanBridgez.com: Who are some of your influences and why?
Saucy Santana: My influences are a lot of people that I grew up around. Gucci Mane is my favorite rapper, Jackie-O is an influence for me. Trina was an influence, Nicki Minaj is an influence. Just really the kind of music that I grew up listening to. Just Florida period, it’s artists like Tampa Tony who make me embrace my Florida music and culture. I’m originally from Bridgeport, Connecticut and moved when I was 15. Even though Khia run her mouth, she was an influence too. Just that south sound. I stay in that lane.

UrbanBridgez.com: You’re on Sukihana’s release, tell us a little about that joint!
Saucy Santana: My sister is crazy, first off I didn’t even know the song was called Food Stamp Hoe. So yeah I’m on her new mixtape. It’s a real fun song and we’re suppose to be shooting a video to it as well. I’m excited about her new project, because she knows how to write and talk about other stuff outside of the raunchy. I’m happy she is showcasing her other-side of music.

UrbanBridgez.com: What’s next for Saucy Santana?
Saucy Santana: We’re just going to keep going, I have so many opportunities. I’m about to appear in another big artist video. I’m steady just trying to break the barriers down. People feel like I’ve came real far, but I feel I have so much more to do. I’m taking all advantages right now. I got other opportunities coming out, that y’all will be seeing soon. You know, just making my mark.

UrbanBridgez.com: Anything else you want to leave with your fans?
Saucy Santana: I love all of my fans and thank y’all for all of the continued support. And if it’s up there, its’s up there.