Whole Lotta Money: 7 Facts About BIA, The Artist On Everyone’s Timeline

This is also proven to be true when celebs use said music in their videos, a move that mega-hyped artist, BIA knows all too well. Born and raised in Boston, the multi-hyphenate has gone from grinding across the music industry, to being seen and heard throughout multiple viral spaces and platforms with artists such as Monica, Toni Braxton, oh, and a Bajan superstar named Rihanna. And what's best about BIA, is that there's so much more about her story that we love to see.

So here's 7 facts about BIA, the artist on everyone's timeline:

1. BIA debuted on Oxygen’s reality television show, 'Sisterhood of Hip Hop'.

BIA's success came to fruition when she was discovered on YouTube, which led to signing with Pharrell's record label, i am OTHER, and an appearance on the widely acclaimed reality TV show titled, Sisterhood of Hip Hop. The show debuted in 2014 and ran for three seasons, with other artists such as Siya, Brianna Perry, Nyemiah Supreme, and more.

Of her time on the show, BIA says although she enjoyed the time, she is done with that part of her career:

"With reality television, you gotta know when to get in and when to get out."

2. Rihanna broke one of BIA's most popular songs with fellow rapper, Russ.

Rihanna is powerful in all that she does. After taking to her social media to personally thank Russ and BIA for their song, "Best on Earth", her 97 million followers went crazy about the song as well, sending it UP up.

"I knew it was going to be a big song because Russ is so incredible. But I didn't know it was going to be like that. I had no idea it was going to be life-changing. [But] I've had a moment like that before with going to the Latin Grammys with Pharrell and J Balvin. I had another moment going on tour with Ariana Grande. Each moment in my life has taught me to be really thankful for where I'm at. I just try to live in the moment now, thank God for what He's doing in my life and just let it take me wherever it's taking me because that's really all you can do. You work so hard to have those moments so when you receive them you gotta be ready for them."

The song went on to peak at #46 on Billboards Hot 100, #22 on R&B/Hip Hop, and #1 on Rhythmic charts.

3. And speaking of Ariana Grande, BIA is good friends with her as well.

In 2017, BIA opened for Ariana Grande's Dangerous Woman Tour, and was even at the tour stop in Manchester, prior to the widely discussed and tragic bombing of the arena, which BIA referred to as 'heartbreaking.' The two went on to form a bond and friendship from there, often collaborating on music such as BIA's leaked song, "Esta Noche" and another unreleased song titled "More."

BIA even attended Grande's 24th birthday party that same year and you can find the other on their social media pages from time to time, with Ariana exclaiming:

"@bia I love you from the bottom of my heart! you were so incredible tonight #estanoche #trapvogue"

4. Her song "SKATE" is the theme song for this year’s NHL playoffs.

Ahead of the start of the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs, the NHL teamed up with BIA to mix her track, "Skate", which originally appeared on her For Certain EP from late 2020. The NHL Mix debuted alongside a hard-hitting teaser trailer to build hype for the playoffs.

It features clips of the artist in the recording studio, with footage from the Tampa Bay Lightning victory at the 2020 Stanley Cup, which honestly was everything. Of the mix, she told Complex:

"Turning 'Skate' into the NHL's playoff theme song was so natural and fun to do, can't wait to see who wins the Cup. Go Bruins!"

5. BIA dropped out of school after having an epiphany.

Though BIA's frequent cosigns and collaborations might make it appear as if she's had a smooth path to success, her journey to stardom has been flooded with a series of constant setbacks that actually makes her more grateful for where she is today.

"Before all of this, I was bartending and working all types of jobs to make things happen. I was spending all my money on recording and studio time and I was like, how can I make this a career? School wasn't for me. I had just dropped out of college and was really struggling."

But dropping out of school came with an epiphany.

"I had learned too much for anyone to teach me anything. And so my 'it' moment was when I realized that I had already known what people were trying to teach me. I had a powerful testimony to share with women and the rest of the world."

6. BIA was in a motorcycle accident that nearly claimed her legs.

In 2013, a drunk driver hit BIA and her then-boyfriend who was leaving a music festival. She recounted the story with Hot97:

"It was like 10, 20 of us on bikes. I was a passenger and a drunk driver just whipped a U-Turn. I fell 20, 30 feet in the air and fell on the floor. My helmet stayed on but my driver's helmet fell off and his head split open. He's all right. He got staples in his head. Man, that was crazy. I hit the floor like, "Oh my God. Am I alive?" I looked down and my leg was split open. I didn't know if I was gonna keep my leg or not. It was bad."

The experience eventually humbled the artist, having her turn up her opportunity even more.

"The day after, I was in the studio with crutches. My [scar] looked so ugly but it was never a thought it would get in my way. I was like, "Oh sh**. I'm gonna make it beautiful." Mentally, it traumatizes you. I still get weirded out in the car if someone drives too fast."

7. Most importantly, she's going to be around for a while, because her confidence is unmatched.

"The first day I met Pharrell, I wasn't as nervous as I thought I would and I think it's because I felt like I was supposed to be there at the moment. God put me there for a reason."

She eventually moved on from Pharell's i am OTHER record label through a venture under RCA Records, eventually signing with Epic Records. Sis knows her vision, and stays true to it, as she's been consistent to her hustle for nearly a decade.

"I saw the world differently and it forced me to really know myself through music and to create my own thing. I don't really look at any one like competition, because the lane I'm creating is not there yet."