As the world collectively celebrates the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop, it’s imperative that we give those well-deserved proverbial flowers to women rappers. These women have not only introduced and popularized women’s perspectives throughout the genre but also have done it in a way that epitomizes fabulousness and luxury. The introduction of glamour to the rap game is a torch first carried by emcees like Lil’ Kim and Foxy Brown and has now been passed to the new-age tastemakers of this generation, namely JT. JT, a member of the City Girls and undoubtedly Miami’s finest, recently announced her latest brand partnership with haircare brand KISS Colors & Care, a venture she’s extremely excited about.

“I love beauty and looking pretty, so this partnership is amazing. What excites me the most about my partnership with KISS Colors & Care is that they’re starting this journey with lace-fronts and tints,” the rapper told UPTOWN. “It’s hard to match my skin tone in a wig, and they have the perfect tint for my hair. So, it’s just exciting to start a new venture. I know it’s exciting for them, and the products are great. Being one of the first ambassadors to try the wig products is amazing.”

When it comes to expressing one’s self through their hairstyles, it’s something that the “Act Up” rapper feels is of uber significance. The reason? According to JT, it’s factored into how people perceive you, especially the first impression.

“Expressing yourself through your hair is so important because that’s the first thing someone sees before they see anything else. They see your hair, teeth, and face, so your hair has to be laid,” JT said. ”I could have my face beat, but if my hair is ugly, people would say, ‘Damn, your hair is messed up,’ and give them something to say. So, expressing yourself and setting trends through your hair is very important. You see me all the time, so you know that’s what I love.”

As we’ve grown to know JT through her chart-topping musical career, we can’t help noticing her as a trendsetting beauty pioneer. This type of influence is mainly the result of her penchant for taking risks.

“I love chaos, and I love to set a trend. I love the backlash and being the first to do something when people talk down on it and then do it themselves. So, I love to take risks through my hair, and I always tell my hairstylist to make me a doll and do it as crazy as you can. My only requirement is not to have my hair done in a way that someone else has already done.”

When it comes to her own hairstyles that she absolutely loves, it’s one of the more recent ones — the fire engine red style she wore while appearing on her bandmate’s talk show Caresha Please last year.

“I really loved my red hair with my side part and my bangs so much that I don’t even want to revisit it because I don’t want to mess it up. It was reminiscent of the ’90s era when hair was big and just costume-like. I was getting so much backlash for it, and it became the most viral hairstyle after that, and so many people started recreating it. They were even selling wigs like that. It caused so much chaos and was a great time in my life because I love to see my trends come to life. I love when I start a trend, which starts chaotic, and in the end, it comes together.”

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It comes as no surprise that JT’s ability to radiate irresistible glamour is innately within her – she’s a proud native of Miami’s cultural hub after all. That’s why it makes sense that she donned fly hairstyles long before the world caught on.

“Miami culture is very fast, and I was already wearing these hairstyles growing up. If you pulled up photos of me when I was younger, I had bundles on top of bundles and a roller set. We used to go to this lady named Nita to do our hair, and she would give us mature hairstyles. I had my bobs and big bangs and would put a little brown dye on the end because I couldn’t wear colored hair when I was younger. Miami culture is just fun, and it’s so funny how I’ve been wearing roller sets and big curly hair since I was younger.”

As JT delves further into the depths of her influence, she joins women like the aforementioned Lil’ Kim, Queen Latifah, Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj, and other Black women rappers who’ve had similar brand deals aligned with their platforms. The rapper is excited at the idea of Black women’s beauty representation becoming more mainstream.

“We are the bar, of course. A lot of people frown on things until they find the easier way to do it or the more editorial or ‘clean’ way to do it, but it all starts somewhere. With hair, especially, it starts with Black women because we have the textures and the hair that you can have fun with. You can straighten, curl it, and braid it easily. It’s exciting to see the world become more diverse and give us more of our credit on these platforms, and that’s why I’m just so happy to work with KISS Colors & Care and to have a platform with them to showcase my beauty and my hair on a different level with a bigger stage and audience.” 

Shop JT’s favorite KISS Colors & Care products below:

JT’s Favorite KISS Colors & Care Products