Diamonté Harper, professionally known as Saweetie, has a story of growth through hardships and consistent dedication to her craft. Saweetie has had to believe in herself even when others didn’t. Her self-belief has gotten her this far in her career, and it doesn't look like she’ll be stopping anytime soon, especially as she prepares for a more impactful 2025. “I always felt like I'd become the person I am today,” she shares confidently.

Growing up in the Bay Area and Sacramento, Saweetie has always felt connected to her roots and doesn’t shy away from them. “I feel it’s really important to embrace your roots. I appreciate my upbringing,” she adds as we discuss her influences. Artists like Lil' Kim, Foxy Brown, and Lauryn Hill inspired Saweetie. Lauryn Hill, in particular, showed Saweetie that rapping and singing was possible.

At 14 years old, Saweetie began her journey into the music industry. A common practice today, but back then, it seemed far-fetched to rap over YouTube beats, which is how she started to perfect her craft. “I felt like I needed to express myself. Rapping allows me to paint a picture. That’s what I ultimately want to do,” she reflects as we discuss her educational background—an aspect of her life often overlooked considering her success. However, Saweetie shares that education is important and encourages others to always ensure they have a good education behind them.

Graduating isn't spoken about much in rap, but it’s something Saweetie has done. She graduated from the University of Southern California, majoring in communications and business. “I want to let girls who look like me know that college is important because there’s a lot I wouldn’t have learned in corporate America or on the street. College is great for bettering yourself as a human being.”

2018 was a big year for Saweetie musically. Her breakthrough song “ICY GRL” gathered over 109 million streams on Spotify and over 97 million views on YouTube. This success ultimately forecasted her future rise. After the record went platinum, Warner Music came calling.

Her first official offering to the world under Warner was her EP titled High Maintenance. In 2019, her single My Type  went platinum, cementing Saweetie as one of the artists to watch. It proved that her previous success wasn’t a fluke, and Warner Music had a star on their hands.

Considered by many as her most personal project, Saweetie released Pretty Bitch Music. “You really understand who I am as a person,” she recalls fondly. “I feel like my records are fun, but there’s always an underlying message that makes my fans want to boss up, and be fabulous while doing it.” This can be seen in songs like “Tap In.” On *Pretty Bitch Music*, she encourages women to reclaim the derogatory term and turn it into an acronym of empowerment: B(oss), I(ndependent), T(ough), C(EO), H(yphy). “I want my fans to be unapologetically themselves and independent. When people listen to my music, they feel like a bad bitch.”

In 2024, Saweetie has become more active musically as she gears up to release a project in 2025. Now a GRAMMY-nominated artist, Saweetie has released songs like NaNi, produced by Jean-Baptiste, Karl Rubin, Shawn Wasabi, Ryland Blackington, and Ryan Buendia. "'NaNi' isn't just a track; it's the soundtrack to a good time. This track definitely gives main character energy! This single has been a labour of love, and it's just the beginning." The music video was directed by Chandler Lass, who captured the essence of NaNi perfectly with stunning visuals.

After taking the internet by storm, Saweetie took fans on a trip down memory lane with My Best. The visuals show Saweetie in her old high school in Elk Grove, Sacramento. Shots of young Saweetie and present-day Saweetie walking through her childhood neighborhood and reflecting on personal memories give fans a glimpse into her life. The song celebrates Saweetie's journey while paying homage to the people and places instrumental in her rise. Following a successful run of songs Saweetie released 'Is It The Way' which showcases her rapping abilities over a soulful beat. This only builds anticipation for future releases. 

Outside of music, Saweetie has carved a lane for herself, becoming a business mogul in her own right. She started her own girlboss brand and other business ventures, including launching the best-selling ICY jewelry and fashion line. She has partnered with brands like Reebok and PrettyLittleThing. “One day, I can see myself having my own company. The end goal is definitely to have my own products that are solely from my brand.” She's already diving into acting roles and philanthropic ventures. A multi-hyphenate in the making, she wants it all. “There’s no limit to what I can do.”