(upbeat music)
- [Host] Family connections in the music industry
have always been a thing.
The roots on these family trees are strong.
Diamonté Quiava Valentin Harper, AKA Saweetie,
splashed on the scene in 2018 with the viral hit "ICY GRL".
Saweetie established a presence on the music charts,
and across social media, with her girl boss bops.
Over the last few years,
she amassed 12.8 million followers on Instagram,
and many of her songs have trended on TikTok.
In late January 2018,
Saweetie was named one of Title's
rising artists of the week.
Followed by February 2018's appearance
in Rihanna's Fenty Beauty ad during Super Bowl.
Little later that same month,
she signed with Warner Records and Artistry Worldwide,
and then came the release of her debut EP
"High Maintenance" in March 2018.
Her second EP "ICY" was released in March 2019.
Spawning the top 40 single "My Type".
2020's "Tap In" and "Best Friend" featuring Doja Cat
followed, both reaching the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In August 2020, Saweetie released "Tap In Remix"
which featured rappers Post Malone, Da Baby,
and Jack Harlow.
In 2021, she received two nominations
for the 64th Annual Grammy Awards,
including one for Best New Artist.
The northern California rapper inspires her fans
by making it a top priority to give back to her community.
She often speaks about the importance of giving back,
and showing love to the city that made her.
While many that would reach her levels of fame
might just focus on living large and rocking that ice,
she has her sights focused on the future.
- I think that in order to make a global effort,
we need a team, we need unification.
- [Host] Her boss songs are not just lyrics,
but her real life.
In 2020, Saweetie was added to Forbes 30 under 30
music list, and Variety's Hitmakers impact list.
Saweetie has taken being a boss to the next level.
By launching a jewelry line,
collaborating with a major retailer
on a capsule clothing collection,
a co-branded makeup collection with a cosmetics retailer,
and even partnering with a major food chain.
Aside from the booth and the boardroom,
Saweetie is a host and actress.
Making her television debut
in three episodes of "Grown-ish".
While Saweetie has rocketed to celebrity status,
it's clear she's not the only Hollywood heavyweight
in her family.
Her uncle changed the rap game.
Elevating showmanship, and repping hard for the bay.
Saweetie is related to the legendary rapper, dancer,
and entrepreneur, Stanley Kirk Burrell, AKA MC Hammer.
MC Hammer achieved massive success and popularity,
from the late 80s, until the mid 90s.
Best known for his hit songs
"U Can't Touch This" and "2 Legit 2 Quit",
Hammer sold more than 50 million records worldwide.
With elaborate showstopping choreography,
and his signature parachute pants,
he became a household name, and a hip-hop icon.
- He's a good black role model for the (indistinct).
- Hammer opened doors, providing opportunities
for so many in his community,
taking rap to a new level as a multi-award winner.
Hammer is the first hip-hop artist to achieve
a diamond album.
He was ranked the seventh best dancer of all time,
and declared the 17th favorite hip-hop artist of all time.
His awards include three Grammys
for the best rhythm and blues song in 1990,
best solo rap in 1990, and the best music video of 1990.
MC Hammer is considered one of the forefathers,
pioneers, and innovators, of pop rap.
By the end of 1990, he landed two major endorsement deals
with Pepsi and British Night Sportswear.
And his company, Busted Records,
had entered into a multimillion dollar producing venture
with Capital Records.
Hammer symbolized rap's first big push
into mainstream American music.
Hammer has influenced not only the music industry,
he has changed pop culture with his catch phrases,
slang, and fashion.
- Around the country, different places that we've been,
a lot of people are doing what they call the MC Hammer.
And it's just, I even asked them "What is the MC hammer?"
Because like I'm in Atlanta,
they have the MC Hammer dance contest.
I'm down in LA, and they have the MC Hammer dance contest.
And here in Oakland, I would see posters around,
and this Friday would be the MC Hammer dance contest.
And I'm saying, "Wait a minute, I'm MC Hammer, what is it?
What is the, you know, what is it, what is the MC Hammer?"
And I have come to find out from the public,
that the MC Hammer is a combination of dances that are done
very, very aggressively, with a lot of energy.
And it's like the movements, you know, that I do.
And the moves that I do.
- [Announcer] Hammer really is to legit to quit.
- [Host] Despite being separated by at least a generation,
Saweetie and MC Hammer go hard for the culture.
It turns out artistic talent,
and creative abilities really do run in a family.
These stars will never have to worry about
being the only celebrity at the family reunion.
(hip- hop music)