Bia (rapper)

Bianca Landrau (born August 16, 1991), known professionally as Bia (stylized as BIA), is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and model who debuted on the Oxygen reality television show Sisterhood of Hip Hop. She signed to Pharrell's I Am Other record label, in partnership with RCA Records in 2014. Her first EP, Nice Girls Finish Last: Cuidado, was released in 2018 and was supported by the single "Hollywood". She is best recognized for featuring on the 2016 single "Safari" by J Balvin and "Best on Earth" by Russ in 2019. In early 2020, Bia signed a new record deal with Epic Records, releasing her second EP, For Certain, on December 11, 2021,

Bia
Bia in February 2017
Background information
Birth nameBianca Landrau
Also known asPerico Princess[1]
Born (1991-08-16) August 16, 1991
Medford, Massachusetts, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • model
Years active2014–present
Labels
Associated acts
Websiteofficialbia.com

Early life

Bia is originally from Medford, Massachusetts and graduated from Medford High School.[2] She is of Puerto Rican and Italian descent.[3][4] In an interview with Oxygen's website, she spoke about wanting to become a rapper at a young age after attending studio sessions with rappers and helping them record.[5] Bia attended college briefly, but after realizing it did not suit her, she dropped out and began bartending to pay for studio time.[6] She moved to Los Angeles full time in 2017.[7]

Career

2014–2015: Career beginnings and #CholaSeason

Bia was initially discovered by rapper Fam-Lay through YouTube and who later introduced her to Pharrell.[1] Bia starred on the first two seasons of the Oxygen reality television show Sisterhood of Hip Hop. In 2014, she signed to the I Am Other music label as part of a collaboration with RCA Records and began working with T.I as well as singers Jennifer Hudson and Usher.[4][5] Later that year, Bia released a mixtape entitled #CholaSeason. In an interview with radio station Hot 97's morning show Ebro in the Morning in September 2015, she revealed that she would not return for season 3 of Sisterhood of Hip Hop.[4]

2016–2018: Touring and Nice Girls Finish Last: Cuidado

Bia served as the opening act for Pusha T's Darkest Before the Dawn Tour in March and April 2016.[8] The next month, Bia alongside Victoria Monét, were the main support acts for the European leg of Ariana Grande's Dangerous Woman Tour.[9] Bia also opened for select dates during the North American leg. Bia was featured on J Balvin's song "Safari", released as a single in May 2016. The track topped the charts in Mexico and Spain[10][11] as well as peaking at #3 on the US Latin Charts.[12]

In 2016, Bia released the singles "Whip It" and "Gucci Comin' Home".[7] These singles were be followed by "Badside" and "Fungshway", which were both released in 2017.[13] All four singles were intended to be included on Bia's then-upcoming debut EP titled Trap Vogue, to be followed by her debut album. Bia described the project as "high energy with Latin elements mixed in".[14] She also revealed that the song "Esta Noche" featuring Grande, which was performed during Bia's opening set for the Dangerous Woman Tour,[15] would be included on the project. Bia eventually scrapped the project in favor of new material.[7]

Bia was featured on the track "Miami", from Kali Uchis' debut album Isolation, which was released on April 6, 2018.[16] Victoria Monét released a remix of her song "Freak", featuring Bia on July 10, 2018.[17] A visual was released including a shortened version of the track just containing Bia's verse and a chorus,[18] while the full version of the song appeared on streaming platforms.[19] On September 21, 2018, Bia released her debut EP Nice Girls Finish Last: Cuidado, which included the single "Hollywood", as well as collaborations with Uchis and Kodak Black.[20][21]

2019–present: Departure from RCA and For Certain

In 2019, Bia split from RCA Records, citing the label was preventing her from releasing music.[22] She released her first independent song "One Minute Warning" in August.[23][24] "Best on Earth", a collaboration with rapper and singer Russ, was released on October 17, 2019. Singer Rihanna posted on her social media that it was her new favorite song, which led to an internet trend #BestOnEarthChallenge and a spike in popularity to the song.[23][25] The song eventually peaked at number 46 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Bia's highest peaking song on the chart and was certified Platinum by the RIAA for selling over one million units in the United States.[26][27] On September 29, the song garnered Bia her first BET Hip Hop Awards nomination for Sweet 16: Best Featured Verse.

In early 2020, Bia resigned with Sony under Epic Records and released two singles, "Free BIA (1st Day Out)" and "Cover Girl".[24] "Cover Girl" was serviced to Urban and Rhythmic radios on April 14.[28][29] In September 2020, Bia released the single "Same Hands" featuring American rapper Lil Durk.[30] Another single, "Skate", was released in November 2020, alongside a music video.[31] All songs are included on Bia's second EP, titled For Certain,which was released on December 11, 2020 through Epic Records.[32]

Artistry

Bia has cited American rapper Jay-Z, Puerto Rican singer Ivy Queen, Selena, Bankroll Fresh, 21 Savage and Blac Youngsta as her biggest influences, as well as Aaliyah and Rihanna as her personal muses. Bia stated that she has never connected with an artist the way she has connected with Rihanna.[33][14]

Filmography

Television
Year Title Role
2014–2015 Sisterhood of Hip Hop Herself

Awards and nominations
Year Organization Award Work Result Ref.
2017 Latin American Music Awards Favorite Urban Song "Safari" Nominated [34]
2020 BET Hip Hop Awards Sweet 16: Best Featured Verse "BEST ON EARTH" Pending

Discography

Mixtapes
List of mixtapes, with selected details
Title Details
#CHOLASEASON

Extended plays
List of extended plays, with selected details, chart positions, and sales
Title Extended play details
Nice Girls Finish Last: Cuidado
  • Released: September 21, 2018[36]
  • Label: RCA
  • Format: Digital download
For Certain
  • Released: December 11, 2020
  • Label: Epic
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

As lead artist
List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions
Title Year Album
"Whip It"[37] 2016 Non-album single
"Hollywood"[38] 2018 Nice Girls Finish Last: Cuidado
"Free Bia (1st Day Out)"[39] 2020 For Certain
"Cover Girl"[40]
"Same Hands"[41]
(featuring Lil Durk)
"Skate"[31]
List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[26]		 US
Latin
[12]		 US R&B/HH
[42]		 COL

[43]

 ITA
[44]		 MEX
[10]		 NZ
Hot
[45]		 SPA
[11]		 SWI
[46]
"Safari"
(J Balvin featuring Pharrell Williams, Bia & Sky)		 2016 —[upper-alpha 1]3—5261—176 Energia
"Piñata"[49]
(Vice featuring Bia, Kap G & Justin Quiles)		 2017 ————————— Non-album single
"Facts"[50]
(Chantel Jeffries featuring YG, Rich The Kid, and Bia)		 2019 —————————
"Best on Earth"
(Russ featuring Bia)		 46—22———4—— Shake the Snow Globe

Promotional singles
Title Year Album
"Gucci Comin' Home"[51] 2016 Non-album singles
"Badside"[52] 2017
"Fungshway"[53]
"One Minute Warning"[54] 2019

Guest appearances
List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"High"[55] 2015 Christian Rich, Vince Staples FW14
"Good Idea" Kid Ink Summer in the Winter
"Miami"[16] 2018 Kali Uchis Isolation
"Freak" (Remix)[17] Victoria Monét Non-album single
"Seashell"[56] Fasscoupe Hood Mascot
"Edible"[57] Kayo Genesis Bad Sushi
"Perfect"[58] 2019 Sam Spiegel, Tropkillaz, MC Pikachu Non-album single
"Perfect (Remix)"[59] 2020 Cousin Stizz, Doja Cat Non-album single
"Labels"[60] Kiana Ledé, Moneybagg Yo Kiki
"Remember Me"[61] Dove Cameron TBA

Notes

  1. "Safari" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number seven on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[47]

References
  1. Goodrum, Jasmine (April 24, 2016). "Bia, the Perico Princess, came from the 'hood' to make her way to Hollywood". Grand Island, New York: Niagara Frontier Publications. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  2. "Boston Rapper Bia Debuts on Oxygen's 'Sisterhood of Hip Hop' Aug. 12 - Music". Boston.com. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
  3. Reichard, Raquel (March 19, 2015). "8 Latina Rappers Who Are Killin It in Hip Hop Right Now". Cosmopolitan.com. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
  4. "Bia Talks Impressing Pharrell, Having TI on Her Track + Drops Bars". YouTube. September 2, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
  5. "Bia Talks About Working with Pharrell, and Her Near-Death Experience". Oxygen.com. July 24, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
  6. Thompson-Hernández, Walter (April 4, 2017). "Rapper Bia Uses Hip-Hop to Overcome the Challenges of Being a Multiracial Latina". Latino USA.
  7. "Bia Talks About Her New Project, Touring With Ariana Grande, And Pharrell's Best Advice". NYLON. September 21, 2018. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  8. Garrett, Ural (February 24, 2016). "Bia Joining Pusha T's "Darkest Before Dawn" Tour". Hip Hop DX.
  9. Smith, Da'Shan (May 23, 2017). "Ariana Grande's Opening Acts Victoria Monét & Bia Issue Statements After Manchester Arena Attack". Billboard.
  10. "BIA Chart History (Mexico Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  11. "Discography BIA". Spanish Charts. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  12. "BIA Chart history: Hot Latin Songs". Billboard. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  13. C.M., Emmanuel (May 19, 2017). "Bia Blesses Fans With Two New Songs "Badside" and "Fungshway"". XXL Magazine.
  14. "BIA's Ready to Enlighten the Masses On her "Trap Vogue" Mentality". HYPEBAE. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  15. Matulac, Mel Rose (February 22, 2017). "Ariana Grande Teases New Music With Rapper Bia After 'Esta Noche' Collab During Dangerous Woman Tour". International Business Times. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  16. Zidel, Alex (March 23, 2018). "Kali Uchis' "Isolation" Includes Tyler, The Creator, Jorja Smith & More". Hot New Hip Hop.
  17. Samuels, Keithan (July 11, 2018). "Victoria Monet Releases Video for 'Freak (Remix)' Featuring Bia". Rated R&B.
  18. "Freak (Remix) [feat. BIA]" – via YouTube.
  19. "Freak Remix". Retrieved April 20, 2020 – via Spotify.
  20. P, Milca (September 23, 2018). "BIA Taps Kodak Black, Kali Uchis & More For "Nice Girls Finish Last" EP". Hot New Hip Hop.
  21. Mojica, Nick (September 21, 2018). "Bia 'Nice Girls Finish Last: Cuidado' EP: Listen to New Songs Featuring Kodak Black and More". XXL Magazine. Missing or empty |url= (help)
  22. "Russ' 'Best On Earth' Collaborator BIA Discusses New Epic Records Deal, Rihanna & Nicki Minaj". HipHopDX. April 8, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  23. Fu, Eddie (October 24, 2019). "Who Is BIA, The Rihanna-Cosigned Rapper On Russ' "BEST ON EARTH"?". Genius.
  24. Brown, D'Shonda (June 21, 2020). "BIA Talks With Us About Finding Her Voice, Her Leo Love Of Orange And Navigating The Business". Snobette.
  25. Saponara, Michael (November 5, 2019). "Russ and Bia Make it Rain Dollar Bills in 'Best On Earth' Video: Watch". Billboard.
  26. "BIA Chart History: Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  27. "Gold/Platinum: Bia - RIAA". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  28. "Urban/UAC Future Releases | R&B, Hip Hop, Release Schedule and Street Dates | ..." April 13, 2020. Archived from the original on April 13, 2020. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  29. "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases | R&B Song and Hip-Hop Music Release Dates | ..." April 13, 2020. Archived from the original on April 13, 2020. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  30. Cho, Regina (September 25, 2020). "BIA taps Lil Durk for new single "Same Hands"". Revolt. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  31. Cho, Regina (November 24, 2020). "BIA drops new single and video for "Skate"". Revolt. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  32. MVP, Viral. "BIA 'FOR CERTAIN' Album Release Date Debut New". OnSMASH. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  33. Gonzalez, Stacey (January 28, 2016). "5 Latina songs you need to listen to Now". Latino Health. Latino Health. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  34. Marti, Diana (September 19, 2017). "2017 Latin American Music Awards: Complete List of Nominations". E! News.
  35. "#CHOLASEASON Mixtape by BIA". www.datpiff.com. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  36. "itunes: Nice Girls Finish Last: Cuidado by Bia".
  37. "iTunes: Whip It by Bia" – via Apple Music.
  38. "iTunes: Hollywood by Bia" – via Apple Music.
  39. "FREE BIA (1ST DAY OUT) by BIA on Spotify". Retrieved March 28, 2020 – via Spotify.
  40. "COVER GIRL". Retrieved April 15, 2020 – via Spotify.
  41. "SAME HANDS (feat. Lil Durk) - Single by BIA on Apple Music". Retrieved September 24, 2020 – via Apple Music NZ.
  42. "BIA Chart History: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart". Billboard. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  44. Peak chart positions for songs in Italy: "Discography Bia Landrau" (in Italian). Hung Medien. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  45. Peaks on the NZ Heatseeker Singles Chart:
  46. "Discographie Bia Landrau". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
  47. "BIA Chart History: Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  48. "J Balvin – Safari" (in Spanish). Portal de Música. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  49. "Piñata – Single". iTunes. Retrieved November 24, 2017.
  50. "Facts – Single". iTunes. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  51. "itunes: Gucci Comin' Home by Bia".
  52. "itunes: Badside by Bia".
  53. "itunes: Fungshway by Bia".
  54. "One Minute Warning by BIA on Spotify". Spotify. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  55. Thompson, Paul (April 16, 2015). "Listen to Christian Rich, Vince Staples and Bia, "High" Read More: Listen to Christian Rich, Vince Staples and Bia, "High"". XXL Magazine.
  56. Grossman, Aaron (June 26, 2018). "Fasscoupe x Bia "Seashell"". Dirty Glove.
  57. Urena, Armando (November 28, 2019). "Bia & Kayo Genesis – "Edible" (Video)". Indie Hip Hop.
  58. "Tropkillaz Team Up with Sam Spiegel for 'Perfect' Featuring Bia & MC Pikachu". Broadway World. January 8, 2019.
  59. Findlay, Mitch (February 14, 2020). "Cousin Stizz Teams Up Doja Cat And Bia For "Perfect (Remix)"". Hot New Hip Hop.
  60. "Kiana Ledé, Moneybagg Yo & Bia Channel Biggie On "Labels."". Hot New Hip Hop. April 5, 2020.
  61. Spanos, Brittany (April 10, 2020). "Dove Cameron Is 'Beautiful and Talking Shit' on 'Remember Me'". Rolling Stone.

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