It’s been a decade in the making, but BIA is finally stepping into her spotlight on her own terms. The Massachusetts-born rapper — full name Bianca Miquela Landrau — has dropped her long-awaited debut studio album, BIANCA (Epic Records), a 16-track celebration of self-discovery, sonic evolution, and quiet confidence.
For the artist who first caught public attention on Pharrell Williams’ label and the reality series Sisterhood of Hip Hop, BIANCA feels like a statement of independence — a body of work that captures where she’s been, and more importantly, who she’s become.
“I wanted to wait until the right time in music and in my life,” BIA tells USA TODAY. “I’ve been really intentional with my music and my message. Everything is aligning now.”
A Decade of Evolution
BIA has always been a name simmering just below the surface of mainstream hip-hop. Her 2020 EP For Certain introduced her as a force of charisma and cool, propelled by the platinum-selling single Whole Lotta Money, later remixed with Nicki Minaj. That breakout moment gave her global attention, but BIA says it wasn’t the full story.
On BIANCA, she opens a more personal chapter. “I felt like I hadn’t been through enough to put some of these songs out before,” she explains. “This album is me at my most honest — it’s the evolution of everything I’ve learned about music, life, and myself.”
The record moves fluidly between trap, pop, Latin, and drill — a genre cocktail that mirrors her eclectic taste and multicultural roots. Collaborations with Becky G, A$AP Ferg, Ty Dolla $ign, Young Miko, and Denzel Curry show off her versatility while spotlighting her ability to shift from effortless swagger to emotional depth.
The moody opener “October” immediately sets the tone — atmospheric, introspective, and vocally daring. “I didn’t want people to guess what the sound was going to be,” BIA says. “That track shows my growth. I’m singing, belting — showing my musicality in a way I never have before.”
From ‘For Certain’ to BIANCA: A Shift in Energy
Where her For Certain era thrived on high-gloss confidence and brash lyricism, BIANCA is rooted in maturity. “That version of me was more aggressive, maybe a little hotheaded,” she laughs. “Now I’m being more intentional with my energy. I don’t want to put negativity into the universe.”
That balance of confidence and composure defines BIANCA. It’s bold but centered, sexy but self-aware — a mirror of an artist who has lived enough to know when to flex and when to breathe.
“I’m not chasing validation anymore,” she adds. “I’m creating from a place of peace.”
Clearing the Air: The Cardi B Drama
No conversation about BIA in 2025 is complete without mentioning the rumored tension between her and Cardi B — a feud that reached public attention when Cardi’s Pretty & Petty dropped earlier this year, seemingly throwing lyrical shade in BIA’s direction.
While fans scoured BIANCA for a musical clapback, the rapper insists she’s moved on.
“I respond in my own way,” BIA says evenly. “But I would never focus my whole album on negativity. That’s not the energy I choose to put into the world.”
She’s quick to emphasize that she doesn’t dwell on it. “That was a year ago for me,” she continues. “If I ever respond, it’ll be separate from the album. I don’t wake up and think about it at all.”
Her refusal to fuel the drama reflects her new philosophy — one grounded in self-assurance rather than online sparring. For an artist who came up in the social media age, her restraint feels refreshing.
Crossing Borders: Latin Roots and Global Sounds
BIA’s cultural background — Puerto Rican and Italian — deeply informs her artistry, even as she refuses to be boxed in. On BIANCA, she dives into Latin rhythms with ease, especially on her vibrant collaboration “Hard Way” with Becky G, a track that reimagines Shakira’s Hips Don’t Lie through a sleek East Coast lens.
“We met during Fashion Week,” BIA recalls. “We had dinner, clicked immediately, and knew we had to work together. The song just captures that energy — it’s got that Latin flavor but feels New York at the same time.”
Beyond Becky G, BIA experiments with global influences throughout the album: “Pray For You” features South African Amapiano artists Khalil Harrison and Tyler ICU, while “+44” leans into UK drill — a natural progression from her J. Cole-assisted single London.
These collaborations reflect a broader trend in global music, one that BIA feels connected to. “There are so many Latin artists merging with the mainstream — Becky, Bad Bunny, Rosalía, J Balvin,” she says. “They’re doing it beautifully. I just wanted to bring my own flow to that space.”
Her identity as a bilingual, bicultural artist informs not just her music but her perspective on representation. “There are so many of us whose Spanish isn’t perfect, but we’re still proud and rooted in our heritage,” she says. “I think that’s important to show.”
‘BIANCA’ as a Manifesto of Power
At its core, BIANCA isn’t just an album — it’s a statement. BIA calls it “a story about growth, reflection, and empowerment.” The music reflects her emotional range, from swaggering anthems to introspective slow-burners, all stitched together by a sleek, cinematic sound.
“It’s beautiful,” she says simply. “It doesn’t feel low frequency — meaning, it’s not toxic or unrefined. It’s balanced. It’s raw when it needs to be, soft when it wants to be. It’s a story that takes you through my life and growth.”
The rapper hopes the project will inspire listeners, especially women, to embrace their power without apology. “This album is going to make people feel powerful,” she says with conviction. “It’s something different — there’s nothing else like it out right now.”
With plans for international shows and the upcoming release of her music video for “Bad Guy,” BIA’s momentum feels unstoppable. After years of industry hurdles and personal growth, BIANCA marks not just her debut, but her declaration.
She’s no longer the newcomer chasing a hit — she’s the woman defining her own rhythm.