Who is BlakeIANA

BlakeIANA

After going viral on TikTok with her infectious first single  “Bing Bong,” St. Louis rapper BlakeIANA’s career instantly skyrocketed, and has been going strong ever since.  After securing fellow Mound City representative Sexyy Red on the “Bing Bong”’remix, BlakeIANA soon aligned herself with multi-Grammy Award-winning producer Murda Beatz [Travis Scott, Migos, Drake], signing with his boutique imprint in partnership with 300 Entertainment.

Let’s hop right into this latest single, “See Us,” featuring Skilla Baby — Tell me about this particular composition; how did it even come to fruition?   

Skilla was originally supposed to get on “Bing Bong.” But I wanted him on something more Detroit, since that’s where he’s from. So, I put him on “See Us”; this was a record I made before I was signed, and I felt it would compliment his style and we could really do some Midwest shit.   

Of course “See Us” follows on the heels of your previous entry, the Moneyybagg Yo assisted “Pricey” — Talk to me about this song… 

When I was asked what song I wanted to remake, I told my A&R that I wanted it to be “Bossy” by Kelis. When I would hear that song, it always made me feel Pricey, and you know Pricey is a lifestyle and a way of living.   

How then does “See Us” and “Pricey” either differ and / or compare to previous BlakeIANA selections? 

Each song is different because I’m talking about different eras in my life. Sometimes my life is a more “See Us” moment, and sometimes it’s more of a “Pricey” moment.   

As a rapper, when you sit down to pen your rhymes where do you draw inspiration from? 

I get inspiration from experiences in my life; what I see, and what I go through.   

Reflecting, tell me your whole inception into music — When did you first become interested in it? And how did it all begin for BlakeIANA? 

I’ve always been interested in music, but I really dove head first into it when I took a trip to Atlanta and freestyled in the Trap Museum. This put the gas in my car for me to really figure out how to start my music career. Even though it took until 2022 until I really pressed play on getting in the studio. With that, I created my first song “Bing Bong.”

Now where exactly do you hail from? And growing up there, who all did / do you consider to be your strongest musical influences? 

I’m from St. Louis; not Missouri, just St Louis. Everybody from St. Louis say that! All my inspiration came from a lot of artists that I listen to; mainly male artists. I was really infatuated with how they popped off on bitches, and how they talk shit.   

In having said that, how do you classify your overall sound and / or style? 

Blake-emotry!  

Where does your moniker originally derive from? 

My name is Blake, and I added a little sauce to it with the “iana” at the end of it.   

Switching gears here, what exactly do you want people to get from your music? 

My music should teach a person that even if you got your own money but should still spend his.   

If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why? 

Doja Cat because she is so versatile, and she has that bad bitch aura.   

If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why? 

It would be The Dome in St. Louis because all the seats are going to be taken, rapping my song word for word. You know they say there's no place like home.   

On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of Hip Hop? 

It is now more woman-dominant, so I am happy with the direction it’s going in.   

What do you feel has and will continue to be the key to your longevity? 

I rap about my life, and I know that someone is going through the things I’m rapping about.

The good and the bad. I know someone out there is going through the same thing.   

Do you have any other outside / additional (future) aspirations, maybe even completely away from music? 

I’m a very animated person, and would love to be in Oscar-winning movie.   

To date, what has been your biggest career moment(s), at least thus far anyway? 

When Sexyy Red had her last tour and brought me out in St. Louis, everyone in the crowd was singing “Bing Bong” word for word.   

What’s an average day like for you? 

I get up, get out and do something…I don’t let the days of my life pass by.   

Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans… 

I love all my fans, they my Weeples for real.   

What is your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? And, why? 

Getting in the studio is my favorite part, and I honestly love everything about what I do.   

What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps? 

Don’t think about things too much, just put it out there and see where it goes. You never know what will happen.   

Looking ahead, say five or maybe even ten years from now, where do you see yourself? 

My music career will be established, and I will continue doing what I love.   

As for the immediate, what’s next for BlakeIANA? 

Coming up I have my first mixtape coming out, and going on tour with Sexyy Red.   

You’re also about to hit the road with your “Bing Bong (Remix)” co-star Sexyy Red — For someone who has yet to witness you live, what can be expected? 

Expect for your wig to be blown the eff back! 

Is there anything I left out or just plain forgot to mention? 

Nah, you covered all the bases.   

Lastly, any “parting” words for our readers? 

Go stream “Bing Bong,” new music on the way. Presidential Lifestyle ‘bout to flood the streets! 

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