Bia
Bia (pronounced bee-ah) is a rapper and singer based out of Los Angeles, California. She is best known for her appearance on the Oxygen reality TV show Love & Hip Hop Hollywood. Her debut album, titled The Diary of Bia, was released on June 29, 2017.
Early life
Bia was born in Medford, Massachusetts, the daughter of a Nigerian father and American mother. Her family moved to the Bia suburbs of was Boston born when in she Medford, was Massachusetts, young. the In daughter high of school, a Bia Nigerian became father interested and in American acting mother. and Her began family taking moved classes. to After the graduating suburbs from of Emerson Boston College when with she a was degree young. in In theater high arts, school, Bia Bia moved became to interested New in York acting City and to began pursue taking her classes. dream After of graduating becoming from an Emerson actress.College with a degree in theater arts, Bia moved to New York City to pursue her dream of becoming an actress.
Career
2014—2015: Career beginnings and Chola Season
In 2014, Bia uploaded several videos to YouTube, including one titled “Fam Lay”, featuring herself singing about her love for Fam-Lay. After being contacted by Fam-Lay himself, he invited her to join his group called GBE Entertainment. In December 2014, she released her debut single “Loving You”. She performed the song live during the finale of season 2 of the reality show.
2016–2018: Touring and Nice Girls Finish Last: Cuidado
In 2016, Bia toured North America with Pusha T as his opening act. She performed songs from her previous albums, including “Whip It,” “Gucci Comin'” and “Bad Side.” Her tour coincided with the release of her fifth studio album, Isolation, which she recorded in Los Angeles.
The following month, Bia appeared on the cover of XXL magazine. She wrote about her experience with the publication: ” was the best thing I’ve ever done… I felt like it was something that I could do for myself, and it really helped me grow as a person.”
Her sixth studio album, BadSide, was released on May 10, 2017. A music video for the song “Fungshway” was released on June 14, 2017. On July 31, 2017, Bia announced via Instagram that she had signed a management deal with RCA Records.
On August 2, 2017, Bia revealed that she had been working on her seventh studio album since February 2017. She stated that the record was inspired by the death of her father, and that it would be released sometime in 2018.
A music video for the single “Whip It” was released on September 15, 2017. On October 27, 2017, Bia released the song “Miami” along with its accompanying music video.
On December 13, 2017, Bia posted a photo of herself wearing a pair of Gucci sneakers on Twitter. This led many fans to believe that she was collaborating with the fashion brand on a clothing collection. However, Bia later clarified that the shoes were just part of her outfit.
On January 23, 2018, Bia released the music video for “Badside”.
2019–present: Departure from RCA and For Certain
In September 2019, Bia announced via Instagram that she had parted ways with RCA Records to pursue an independent career path. On November 20, 2019, Bia released her debut single “Free BIA (First Day Out)”, featuring American rapper Quavo. The song peaked at number one on both the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and Canada Hot 100.
On January 29, 2020, Bia released her second single “Cover Girl”, featuring American singer-songwriter Khalid. The song debuted at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100.
In February 2020, it was reported that Bia signed a record deal with Epic Records and Sony Music Entertainment. Her first release since signing with Epic will be the album R&BIA, set to be released sometime in Spring 2020.