Latto is Focused on What’s Next, Not the Noise

Fans call her Big Mama. Her family calls her Alyssa. And the rest of the world knows her as Latto.

Hailing from Clayton County, just outside of Atlanta, Latto’s rise has been anything but an overnight success. She first stepped into the public eye as a teenager on Lifetime’s The Rap Game, getting her bars critiqued by Jermaine Dupri. This was long before she saw her name on the charts. Nearly a decade later, after dropping singles, albums and securing Mariah Carey’s blessing to sample “Fantasy” for her Billboard No. 1 single “Big Energy,” Latto has evolved into one of hip-hop’s most versatile shape-shifters — capable of commanding a solo record, anchoring a hook, or sliding effortlessly into someone else’s world without losing herself or her sound.

In 2025, Latto doubled down on that versatility. She went on a notable feature run, assisting Summer Walker on “Go Girl” alongside Doja Cat, hopping on Cardi B’s “ErrTime” remix, trading bars with Playboi Carti, Nemzzz and 21 Savage, and surprising fans with “Gyatt,” a collaboration with Ice Spice that arrived after a period of very public tension between the two, which Ice Spice recently claimed wasn’t actually a real “beef.” The hip-hop moment wasn’t loud, but it made everyone pause and nod.

As the year came to a close, Latto wasn’t interested in clearing rumors or over-explaining narratives. She was focused on recalibrating — celebrating the holidays, the intention she places in her music, her confidence and her direction forward. With a new album on the horizon and a sharpened sense of self, 2026 doesn’t feel like a reset. It feels like a renewed continuation.

Latto exclusively told Okayplayer about growth, confidence, collaboration and what she’s carrying with her into the next chapter.

Okayplayer: From your perspective, what do you think will define music and culture in 2026? Are there any shifts — personally or creatively — that you already feel yourself wanting to tap into for your next project?

Latto: I think people are eager to feel a connection to the music. They also want to feel like the message in the music is authentic to the artist too. I’ve been tapping into a vulnerable place and it’s been so freeing. I know it will be received well. People relate to real. Even if they can’t relate to the story itself, they feel it.

2025 felt like a clear shift for you. If you had to describe where you are right now — mentally, musically, and personally — what's changed the most compared to 2024?

I’m way more intentional. I feel like I’m growing as a woman in my personal life aside from anything else, and it’s bled into my career. Maybe it’s an age thing?

Your confidence feels more layered lately — playful, grounded and very self-aware. How has your relationship with confidence evolved as your career and visibility have grown?

Spending so much time in the limelight, especially at a young age, will do it to ya! A lot of decisions were made for me early on, since I was so young, but I’ve grown to be more secure in myself and my own decisions. Everything you see from Latto now is a true reflection of me. I’m leading and have been leading the ship for a while now, so I think the confidence just grew over time.

You’ve always been very intentional about your narrative. How do you decide which parts of your life make it into the music, and which parts you choose to keep to yourself?

Really? I feel like I’ve just come to value the importance of intention (laughs). I’m a pretty open book in my music because it feels like a safe space there versus like an interview with cut and dry answers/questions. Does that make sense? Basically, I can speak on the most personal of things in my music in a way that’s up for the listener’s interpretation. It’s usually masked with metaphors so it’s not so direct.

Your lyrics often spark conversation beyond the song itself. When fans start reading between the lines or building their own narratives, how do you feel about that? Do you enjoy the dialogue, or prefer to let the music exist without explanation?

I look at music as art and art is so much cooler when you’re able to let your mind interpret it freely. It’s cool to see the people’s perspectives even if they’re not what I intended, because that’s art. I feel like when I give my explanation, it kills the imagination of the listener.

One recent record, in particular, sparked a lot of online chatter. When a song takes on a life of its own like that, how do you usually process the reaction? Do you lean into it, pull back or let people think what they want?

In the past I’ve felt the need to respond to rumors and what not for sure but over the years I’ve really taken a step back. I don’t feel the same desire to clear it most of the time. Maybe that stems from what we spoke on earlier as far as the security within myself, confidence, et cetera.

You dropped records with Playboi Carti, Nemzzz, Ice Spice, Cardi B, Summer Walker + Doja and 21 Savage this year. Do you tap into different sides of yourself when collaborating with artists from different worlds?

Yes for sure. I feel like that's what makes a versatile artist. The best of the best do it/did it. Being well-rounded means longevity in the game.

How did the collaboration with Ice Spice come together?

Her manager reached out to my manager, eventually got us connected directly and we kinda just moved past it. She sent me some songs and I sent her what ended up being “Gyatt.”

You’re often described as one of rap’s “girls’ girls.” If you could curate your own modern-day “Not Tonight”–style record, who would you want on it, and who would you have produce it?

Hmmm… probably me, Doja Cat, YK Niece, GloRilla and Cardi B. I think that checks a lot of boxes and is unexpected, haha. My favorite producers are Pooh Beatz, Go Grizz and Coupe so definitely one or all of my boys.

Looking back on the holidays, what were your hosting must-haves — the drinks, playlists, food, etc.?

You know Big Mama loves to cook now! I do good hearty meals for the holidays so soul food or something comforting like soup or pot roast. Definitely gotta have lavish gifts under the tree for my friends and family. I love to spoil them. I also can't have a good holiday party without a D'USSE Magnum bottle. It makes the best drinks and mixes well with good company. Everybody knows I love my D’USSÉ Peach Lemonades, but for the holidays and cold weather I go D’USSÉ espresso martinis!