Big Latto, Big Changes

5.19.21

Latto, Friday 5/21

Mulatto, as we all know her, has had an incredible year. From dropping her album Queen of Da Souf, plus the deluxe. To becoming a XXL Freshman, to her feature in Cardi B’s WAP music video, she has secured her spot as one of the hottest female hip-hop artists out. However, when one is put in the limelight, it comes with a whole lot of judgement. Many have pushed Mulatto to change her name, and it seems that the day has arrived.

The issue with Mulatto’s name as it currently stands, is it was previously used a racial slur, that was negative towards a person with mixed races, typically one white parent and one black parent. Of course, many people grow up to love their family background, and embrace all of their attributes, even if they were picked on about those same characteristics for some reason at some point in their life. That seems to be exactly why Mulatto chose this name for herself. She recalls growing up and not fitting in with with either clique, because she was mixed. In one of her tracks No Hook, from her latest album, she addresses the situation, and says she would not be changing her name.

Tell me 'bout my life, though
As a kid, feelin' too black for the white folks
Ain't changin' my name, disagree and you can die slow

While Mulatto clearly stood firm with her decision to keep her name true to what it was, it seems like she may have had a change of heart.

Mulatto has always been active on Instagram, showing us her daily routines, her going out, her favorite looks, etc. Two days ago, she shared a real photo for her fans, in the studio in her bonnet. She said when she pulls up to the studio like this, something crazy is on the way. Of course, this will quickly followed up with a stunning Savage x FENTY ad, and Latto is living her best life, clearly. The moment we have all been waiting for, is what was to come next.

Mulatto shares what looks to be the artwork to a new single. It is basically a headshot, with tons of microphones around her, as if she was doing a news conference. The background spells out the words “The Biggest” over and over, covering the entire background. The headline? “LATTO.” The caption simply indicated “Friday 5/21,” so fans can assume this is a new single dropping this Friday.

Shortly after this post goes live, people are obviously getting ready for a new track. Mulatto is constantly calling herself “Big Latto” as kind of a nickname, so maybe there was not speculation from the jump that this was a name change announcement, but the IGTV to go live shortly after, kind of seals the deal for us. Mulatto is pictured in the studio, giving some feedback to a song she had just recorded. At the end, she says “play it from the top!” and we get a super high energy, Big Latto voice energy, snippets of the song.

"New money, new crib, new whip, new name, I'm still that b***."

So, she does say she has a new name. In addition to the little snippet, and the single artwork, Mulatto’s new Instagram name has been updated to “Latto777.” As her favorite emoji is clearly the 777 lottery machine, it makes sense. You mess with Mulatto, you hit the lotto, the biggest lotto, that 777 lucky strike lotto.

I am all for remaining true to yourself, but in today’s world, you certainly have to think about how you are marketing yourself. Mulatto’s album was my favorite album than any other female rap artist, because she can spit, and sing, and, really has no skips. I think this is a good move for Mulatto to really start being taken more seriously. I hope she remains consistent with these hits dropping, because she is what is next.