Latto has emerged as one of the strongest female voices in the new age of hip-hop, but her rise to fame wasn’t as effortless as it appears. Behind her success are the unrelenting support of her parents, Shayne Stephens and Misti Pitts, who shaped her as an artist. While their work pushed Latto to the mainstream, their journey has not been without its struggles.
On the 22nd day of December, 1998, Latto was born to Alyssa Michelle Stephens in Columbus, Ohio. She spent her childhood in Atlanta with a musical bent right from her young days. Her parents, realizing her potential, made personal sacrifices to achieve her dreams. Her young parent, her mom, provided a warm and supporting environment, and her manager-dad, Shayne Stephens, guided her through the highs and lows of the entertainment industry.
Shayne Stephens, an entrepreneur based in Columbus, Ohio, balanced his professional life with the rising star that was Latto. Stephens had a big role in her success, booking her and navigating the hurdles that accompany the music industry. His biggest contribution, though, was landing a spot on Lifetime reality television show The Rap Game in 2016 for Latto, who performed as Miss Mulatto. She won the show, became a national sensation, and the victory became the springboard for her music career to soar.
Though his contribution to her success has been instrumental, the two have had their ups and downs as well throughout the years. Latto has openly talked about having a strained relationship with her father, including personal conflicts and issues with managing their finances. Despite the issues their relationship has had, it cannot be disputed that Shayne’s mentorship laid the groundwork for her success in the business.
Misti Pitts, her source of constant emotional support during the years Shayne Stephens managed Latto, was born on December 29, 1982. She kept a low profile but played a significant role in the life of Latto. She worked as a young mom to ensure that her child had all the chances to flourish. Her constant encouragement provided the self-confidence that enabled Latto to make it through the ruthless life of the hip hop scene.
Latto made her big break with her viral, hit song Bitch from da Souf in 2019, making her the up-and-coming artist on the rise. This followed with Big Energy in 2021, the song that catapulted her to mainstream fame. From underground artist to chart-topper, her ability to balance confidence, charisma, and wordplay resonated with the masses all over the globe.
Coming from a biracial family with one African-American parent and one white parent, Latto also had her own issues with self-identification when she was a child. She has openly spoken about her experiences with judgments in society and the roles that had characterized her as an artist. Her music speaks about empowerment, self-acceptance, and resilience, something that her parents had provided her as a foundation.
