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I’ve never met him in person, butSaucy Santanafeels like someone I already know.
Brandon Nwanze, Illustration by Channing Smith
I caught up with the rapper in the latter days of May over Zoom.
It was 45 minutes of playful banter, laughs, and jokes.
Santana is the catchphrase king.
Courtesy Brandon Nwanze
And once you’ve seen them, it’s hard to forget them.
In 2019, Santana sought to parlay his internet virality into a music career.
All that was just the beginning; it seems summer 2022 is poised to truly be Santana’s season.
Courtesy Brandon Nwanze
Before all that, the Tallahassee, Florida-raised artist was living what some might consider an idyllic American lifestyle.
“I didn’t.
I grew up with a silver spoon.
My dad was a celebrity bodyguard, my mom was always the general manager of her job.
I grew up in a big two-story house on five acres of land.
He was a good student.
He wanted for nothing… except maybe, a little excitement.
“I wanted to experience the streets.
“Girls were my main [style and beauty] inspiration growing up.
My girl cousin, Deirdre, and I grew up like brother and sister.”
Santana recalls a group he formed alongside her and three other girls, “Ken and the Dolls.”
“Deirdre was my personal Nicki.
“She had to get her nails painted pink and black, too.
She would wear six-inch Jeffrey Campbell heels.”
“Florida girls are material girls,” he explains.
“We are going to have the longest weave, the freshest lace we get ratchet-classy.
Might have on Chanel, but we’re going to have some little coochie cutters too.”
Santana loves a cinched silhouette to reflect the “bad bitch” energy he exudes.
Designer brands like Chanel, Fendi, and Balenciaga are in heavy rotation.
But, in true Florida girl fashion, the ‘fit is incomplete without makeup.
The rest of the mug is usually perfected with a foundation that enhances his rich skin tone.
When he’s performing, he’s sure to apply hissetting powderliberally.
For the stage, a matte complexion is a must.
When you put on concealer, you have to set it with your baking powder,” he explains.
Courtesy Brandon Nwanze
“I can literally get on stage, sweat, or whatever.
I come offstage, cool off, pat down, and I’m still beat.
The powder is definitely key.
“MAC’s classic setting powderis the one he reaches for most often.
They’re something else Santana says he “doesn’t play” about.
They must be long and they must be painted nude with aFrench tip.
“That’s only because it’s springtime,” he emphasizes.
“I’m not a big color person.
I would never do full yellow nails I always incorporate nude.
I don’t want to look tacky.”
“White toes are always elite, but J.T.
loves her pink toenails.
The beard is reminiscent of another hip-hop artist Santana counts among his inspirations.
“Gucci Mane was my favorite rapper in high school.
He influenced a lot of things that I started doing after that time,” he explains.
“Us Florida girls, we love miserable music,” he says with a laugh.
“We love heartbreak music.
Brandy, Monica we love old school R&B.
That’s what’s on my playlist.”
Santana knows exactly who he is, and he is very comfortable with that.
“This is who I have always been.
It’s served him well, and it is also the advice he gives to others.
So I can’t change this is who people love, this is who they looking for.
You just always got to stand your ground on who you are.”
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