Photo Credit: @shotbysed
[Tu Blanco](https://www.instagram.com/tublanco_/) is here to give female rappers a run for their money. Hailing from New Orleans, the rising star arrives with an aggressive flow, blending hip-hop and R&B and sprinkling it with her own swag. Inspired by the likes of Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, and Lil Baby, the “Everything” recording artist prides herself in being different—especially when it comes to her unique style of rapping.
With braggadocious bars and unmatched confidence, the former dental assistant is ready to take the music industry by storm. She states, “I’d always think about music. It’s wide open for females right now, so I have a better shot at it. We have a better chance now, everyone’s looking at us.”
Now, she returns with her fourth single of the year: “[Sit Down](https://www.youtube.com/watch?ab_channel=TuBlanco&feature=youtu.be&v=Vo0KTuEexrs).” Over a hard-hitting beat, Tu shares a message to her haters in the best way she knows how: talking her shit! Beyond the music, she has a huge heart for giving back and helping people, which aligns directly with her feel-good bangers.
_Flaunt_ caught up with Tu in downtown Los Angeles, who was on her way to Cabo for the weekend. Read below as we discuss her roots in Louisiana, favorite Nicki Minaj song, what made her start rapping, the session for “Sit Down,” giving back, goals, and more!
Photo Credit: @shotbysed
**You’re from Louisiana, how does that play into your life and career?**
It was pretty cool growing up. Doing music is fine, but they really do bounce music out there. Different kinds of music. They can get together, dance, and have a good time. I’m more aggressive, I can switch it up like pop, rock, hip-hop, R&B. All kinds, I have a mixture.
"Being from a city that loves/makes bounce and second line music they can get together, dance, and have a good time."
**Biggest influences?**
Nicki Minaj coming up. I like Mulatto, Megan Thee Stallion, and Cardi B.
**What’s your favorite Nicki song?**
“Win Again,” because she’s talking about how she came up and everything. How she is now, I’m in love with how she grew.
**At what point did you realize this music thing was forreal?**
When I was in high school I used to be around a lot of boys. They used to rap so I felt like “you know what, I want to rap too.” I rapped for a little while. After school, I went to dental school. I did dental for a while, then I came back to rapping because we have a better chance at it now. There’s more traction.
**What’s the inspiration behind your name?**
Griselda Blanco, she’s a drug lord from Columbia. She’s a boss and I’m a boss. \[laughs\]
**Congrats on the release of “Sit Down,” bring us back to when you made this one.**
When I made this record, I was out here actually. Playing with it, having fun. It's a fun song. The vibe of the session was really turnt. Don’t be scared of what people are judging you, live how you want to live.
**Was the video shot during COVID-19?**
That was fun, I did the video last month in Miami. I went out there to shoot the video. The song was fun so I went for a pajama theme with Buku girls around, sipping wine. Bubbles, baths, just hanging out and having fun.
**What is it you want fans to get from your story?**
I want them to have hope, I want them to get motivation for me. I want to be a motivator.
**Your IG bio reads motivational speaker, can you touch on that?**
Some people lose hope. I’m here to tell them you don’t need to lose hope, you can get it done. When I was depressed a lot, it makes me happy thinking about how you can do it. I write music to help me feel better. It makes me feel better if I talk about what I want or something I have, something I’ve been through. Even if it's something another person’s going through.
**How important is social media for your career?**
Social media’s important because that’s where you get your fans, how they find out about you.
**How was skydiving?**
Skydiving was fun, I liked doing that. It was something different for me to do, I never thought I would’ve done that. That was on the bucket list. We went in San Diego. I was scared a little bit, but it was really fun. More fun than scary.
**You love helping people, talk about doing giveaways in your neighborhood.**
I did a Chick-fil-A giveaway in my old neighborhood where I grew up at. I was giving out Chick-fil-A to all the kids. When you see people struggle, you feel like you could be a part to help it. I want to do another giveaway for Christmas.
**What’s the reality of your own neighborhood?**
It’s the hood. \[laughs\] I didn’t like growing up there, but it gives you motivation to know what you don’t want.
**3 things you need in the studio?**
I need water. I need a nice vibe. I don’t like too many people being in there if I don’t know you like that. I don’t like it to be cold. \[laughs\]
**What can we expect from your forthcoming EP titled _For The Weekend_?**
You can expect a little bit of everything, it’s gon’ be crazy. I’m going to have features. I want Dess Dior, that’s one of them you can probably expect.
**Talk about the independent grind.**
It’s not always easy coming up because no one will help you, so you have to do it yourself.
**Goals yourself as an artist at this point of your career?**
Making more music. Drop more visuals, more than usual. Being more open with people, so they can get to know me better.
**Is there one thing that fans may not know about you?**
I like teeth, but I like doing music more. \[laughs\] I’d be a dentist if music doesn’t work out, but it’s gon’ work. \[laughs\]
