Team Whip Dem Pots
Mia
X
About Mia X
UNLADY LIKE
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Mia X is a mother, recording artist, actress, best-selling author, philanthropist and cook from New Orleans, LA. Born Mia Young, The Biggest Mama Mia began her music career in 1984 when she joined her childhood friend, now super producer, DJ Mannie Fresh and became the female emcee in the group New York Inc. Founded by Queens, New York native and New Orleans transplant Denny D., the group was extremely popular locally and hosted many concerts and dances around the city.
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Mia left the group in 1987 to focus on graduating high school. After a five year hiatus from hip-hop, in 1992 Mia returned to music and released the catchy raw underground female anthem "Da Payback". On the diss track, she gave her male counterparts a lyrical lashing and gained the respect of rappers all over the state.
In 1994 Master P returned to his hometown New Orleans with the hopes of finding a female rapper to join No Limit Records. Mia X's name kept coming up, and after a brief meeting Master P said that she was "The One". Mia co-wrote the hit single on P's group TRU second platinum-selling cd entitled
"Im Bout It", and the follow-up hit single "Bout It aII" on Master P's platinum-selling cd "The Ice Cream Man". Both versions became hip-hop anthems and catchphrase in American pop culture.
Mia went on to record three solo albums with No Limit Records. "Good Girl Gone Bad" (1995), "Unlady Like" (1997), and "Mama Drama" (1998). She debuted #2 on Billboards Top 200 with "Unlady Like" and "Mama Drama" and both were certified gold. Mia also wrote and recorded various songs with No Limit's artist. Her writing skills and unique delivery played a major part in the No Limit's overall success. During her time with No Limit, The Lyrical Man Eater wrote on each album released by the label, totaling 75 million records sold worldwide.
During her time at No Limit, Mia was bitten by the acting bug. As an actress, Mia has appeared in seven films, including the cult classic "I Got the Hookup." She most recently appeared in the HBO series "East Bound and Down". Although she has not released music in 20 years, her contributions are still being recognized. In 2016 Mia received the Music Heritage Award from The Big Easy Awards and in 2017 was honored by the City of New Orleans and Zulu Ball.
In 1999 Mia X took a break from the music business to focus on raising her children after the untimely death of her mother. It was during this time that she sharpened her culinary skills and began writing her autobiography. This period would usher in the next phase of her ever-changing career, an author, and chef. Not only would Mia pen her most personal story written to date, but also grow in popularity for the way she “whip dem pots.”
After spending years cooking for an array of celebrities, athletes, politicians, and community at large, in 2017 Mia was first selected for a coveted Highlighted Chef position at Essence Eats. In 2018 she would return to the same stage, but this time armed with her long-awaited debut book.
"Things My Grandma Told Me, Things My Grandma Showed: A Cookbook of Memories 1975 - 2001" was released to the public Saturday, July 7, 2018, after her Essence Eats cooking demo, by Sunday, 24 hours later, the book was certified an Essence Best Seller by the festival bookstore.
The memoir gives her fans the very first look into the journey of the hip-hop pioneer. In the book Mia shares details of her life including becoming a teen mother, her time spent drug dealing, being the victim of domestic violence, overcoming self-doubt and how the untimely passing of loved ones including her best friend Jil and her mother, led her to her acceptance of her role as a leader in her community and family. The highly sought after chef also shares 40 of her family’s Creole recipes.
Most important to Mia is the work she does for the next generation. As a philanthropist and activist in her hometown, Mia is known throughout her state for the time and resources she continues to bring to various causes she champions. In early 2018, she was honored by Louisiana Governor John Bell for her commitment and work as a mentor with The Outstanding Girls Foundation.