Even if you haven’t heard Saucy Santana, you've likely heard of him. The high-fashion rapper and queer rap icon seems to be on the lips of these days for more than just Twitter polemics. Saucy Santana's brand of feel-good, sex-positive rap proves that "gays run the world." Madonna made it official when she hand-selected Saucy to duet with her during New York City Pride on a remix of her 1984 hit, "Material Girl."
As summer temperatures rise, Saucy Santana — real name Rashad Spain — is making sure we look good while we sweat. The 28-year-old's single has already gone viral on TikTok, with challenges created to "Material Girl," "Walk", and "Here We Go."
A native of Perry, Florida, Saucy Santana is a descendant of fellow Floridians City Girls (for whom he previously worked as a makeup artist ) and Trina, whose raunchy rap songs dominated early 2000s airwaves. Santana is the whole avant-garde package:He can twerk, captivate and spit bars as hard as any other rapper in the game.
Ahead of his tour, Saucy Santana spoke with GRAMMY.com about his legacy and idols, and cleared up the misunderstood controversy behind his 2014 tweets about Beyonce’s daughter, Blue Ivy. Speaking from the heart, Santana shows another side to his persona: a humble, vulnerable, caring person who wants to impact the world in a positive way.
Saucy! Are you still reeling from performing "Material Girl" with Madonna for Pride?
It was like my dream to be able to go to the studio with the Material Girl. Being able to be around her, seeing how hard she still works.
It was a surprise because I was hand-chosen by Madonna. It wasn’t a favor. She specifically asked for Saucy Santana. Madonna is an icon. If you think real fast, "who is bigger than Madonna?" you can’t even name anybody. You will literally have to ponder. Just for me to be in that space was amazing.
Can you confirm a remix is coming?
After her Pride show, she did a big rerelease of a lot of her hits [Finally Enough Love: 50 Number Ones]. When we were in the studio, I asked her if we were doing this record for just the show or are we putting it out. She said, "both." So we have to wait on Madonna, on the release date.
Your music is so powerful and uplifting for the gays and girls. What icons did you look to inspire your artistic brand?
I love Lizzo. I love her branding, her aura. Oh, hold on. [Saucy answers his phone for his food delivery.]
Sorry that was my food!
What did you order?
[Laughs] Oxtails! I listened to a lot of Gucci Mane when I was in high school; he is one of my favorite rappers. Of course, being in high school, I was a Barb, listening to Nicki Minaj, memorizing her lyrics, and seeing her flow. Me being from Florida, [I also listened to] Trina. And then I just look at the people now, like Doja Cat is really creative and her music.
That’s a pretty eclectic list . Were there any gay or queer artists growing up that you listened to, or did they not necessarily pop on your radar while growing up in Florida?
Yea, we didn’t have that. The first gay artist I listened to was Frank Ocean.
That’s a great one to start with.
Yeah, I love that album, Channel Orange. When he made that album, and he was famous, that’s when he came out as gay. I think that’s the first time I saw an artist who was gay and was making music. That was something I didn’t have growing up.
I love your story of how you got into the music industry. Can you give our readers background on your work with City Girls as their makeup artist?
I used to be a makeup artist prior to rap. My best friend, Tyrus, is Young Miami’s [one half of City Girls] blood cousin. They had already started rapping and would do shows in North Florida. We would hang out with them, and eventually, I would do their makeup when they came to North Florida. We built a strong bond, a brother-sisterhood, a real friendship, just by working together.
Did you find a kinship with the type of music they were making when you decided to become an artist?
That was our vibe already, us being from Florida and having the same experiences and influences. None of us were ever thinking about music. They were just having fun when they popped off with their first song. I was just having fun when I popped off with my first song.
Even though they were rapping before me, I didn’t have a thing where I wanted to be a rapper too. We were just being funny and showing our personalities. That’s why so many people love us together. We’re great friends because we are just ourselves.
Every year, emerging rappers fight tooth and nail to be nominated to the XXL Freshman list. You were one of the rappers recognized this year. After Young Ma, are you one of the only openly queer rappers to be nominated? What did the recognition mean to you as a lyricist?
That was one of the things when I first started rapping. Every year, I would roll my eyes and say, "When am I going to be on the XXL Freshman List?" It was one of the things growing up; we felt like that was validation of who is hot right now.
As quiet as it’s kept, I think I’m the first Black gay boy to ever be on there. I am breaking barriers for my culture and for my people. It’s never been done before.
Congrats on completing your tour with Latto. Any wild stories from the road?
We just had fun every night. I’m not a car person. I like to get on an airplane, take a nap and wake up when you're there. They would tell me, "Ok, we’re gonna drive nine hours." I’m like, "What!"
It sparked something in me waking up and performing in a different city. I’m so appreciative to Latto, my close friend and sister, for giving me that opportunity. In terms of stories, we were tired. [Laughs]
What did you hope to bring as an opening act?
I felt like I was given a chance to gain new fans and win over new people. I got DMs from people who were Lotto fans, but now they were also Saucy Santana fans. That gives you a sense of accomplishment. I’m able to be in front of new faces and new people and have them gravitate towards me and my artistry.
I know one of your goals is to be a superstar. I feel like you’re already there. What does being a superstar look like to you?
To me, being a superstar is being a person for the masses. I want everybody to love Santana. I want to be able to go everywhere.
When I first started rapping, I felt like I could only reach certain people. As a child, everyone loved to hang around me in my space. I am able to reach so many people around the world. I can make trap music. I can make vogue music. I can make EDM music. I can make R&B music. I can make pop music. People want to collaborate with me as far as brands and movies. I have the personality and talent to do almost anything. I just want to exude those talents to the best of my ability. I just want to be a freaking superstar all across the world.
Preach Saucy. I love it! How do you help your success and cultural awareness impact the queer community?
My advocacy for them is my artistry. I did the XXL cover. I performed with Madonna. I did the BET Awards. Look at me and know anything is possible. Look at the doors I’m opening. I’m doing this for me. I’m doing this for us. Once I completely kick the door down, we are all going to be able to flourish and run in together.
I love the queer community that supports me and encourages me. I get a lot of DMs from my queer fans. I am so appreciative. I want them to see me and what I’m doing and know everybody’s time is coming.
I like to think the music industry in 2022 has evolved, but the hip-hop industry and community can still be deeply seeded in homophobia. You and other artists like Lil Nas X are challenging that. Have you gotten any pushback from old-head rappers?
I see a difference when I look back to 2019 compared to the men who show me love in 2022. But I think even hip-hop is changing. Gay is being more normalized. Once you show people you have undeniable talent, it’s hard for someone to say no. Men I run into now say,"you’re dope. Let’s work."
Once people see he’s here, he’s here to stay. In 2019, people didn’t know if I was a gimmick. Will I last? Now, after three and a half years, people know I’m serious.
I want to give you the opportunity to clarify the Blue Ivy tweets. I haven't felt like you've been given a real chance to state your opinion and your point of view on how those Tweets were taken out of context.
Those tweets were taken out of context. Me being 28 now, more mature, more mindful, [I've had] a change of heart, a change of mindset. That was the era of being on social media [when] we said things to go viral; we said things for attention. Of course, me now, my little sister, she has natural hair. My mom has natural hair.
I was 20 years old in 2014. How I felt eight years ago, I do not feel now. I don’t have the same thoughts. I was going through obstacles. I was being a kid, reckless. That’s one thing I love about myself. People can see my growth. I don't carry myself the same way. Every year I try to elevate myself.
Everyone can agree that the way we felt 10 years ago is not how we feel now. You learn. You mature. You grow. You elevate as a human being. It’s water under the bridge. Blue Ivy is a beautiful little girl; she is gorgeous. Growing up, my mom literally only wore blonde hair because of Beyoncé. Beautiful family. Beautiful woman. Beautiful child. I have no ill feelings or anything ill to say about them. Period.