Tana (rapper)

Tana
Tana performing in 2024
Tana performing in 2024
Background information
Birth nameSteven Lewis[1]
Also known asBabySantana
Born (2006-11-14) November 14, 2006 (age 18)[1]
Columbus, Georgia, U.S.[2]
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • rapper
  • songwriter
  • record producer
InstrumentVocals
Years active2020–present[2]
Labels
Websitetana.net

Steven Dale Lewis II (born November 14, 2006),[1] known professionally as Tana (stylized in all lowercase; formerly known as BabySantana), is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He rose to popularity in early 2021 with the singles "14" and "Antisocial", which gained traction on TikTok and SoundCloud.[2] He later signed with Galactic Records, a subsidiary of Republic Records, in late 2021.

Early life

Tana grew up being heavily inspired by the Chicago trap scene, which at the time was led by Chief Keef and Fredo Santana, the latter of whom also inspired his former rap alias BabySantana, alongside BabyTron.[4]

Career

2020: Beginnings

Tana started his music career in 2020, sharing music through platforms such as YouTube and SoundCloud in May of that year. Shortly after, Tana began to learn how to produce music. He later formed a small collective with his friends titled 1500[5] — which at first only included Slump6s, although additional artists and producers were recruited throughout upcoming years.

2020–21: Breakthrough

Tana came to fame in 2020 following the success of his single "Prada" after it went viral on social media platforms, leading to a remix with Galactic Records label associate Lil Tecca.[6]

Tana is associated with artists including Kashdami, Midwxst, and Yvngxchris. He is currently signed to Galactic Records, a subsidiary of Republic Records, but continues to release music independently through multiple SoundCloud accounts.[7] Tana and fellow rapper Kashdami released the collaborative single "14" on July 20, 2021, which was featured on the Lyrical Lemonade YouTube channel.[8]

2022–present: Gaultier

In 2022, Tana announced his debut studio album, Gaultier, which was initially set for a late 2022 release. On August 15, 2022, Tana released the first promotional single "Swaggin Like This"[9] with Lancey Foux, followed by the single "Hell Yeah" four days later.

Discography

Studio albums

  • Gaultier (2023)
  • Bana (2024)

Mixtapes

  • Planet Sosa (2020)
  • DakotaRomani (with Slump6s) (2021)
  • London (2023)

EPs

  • Recreation (2020)
  • Nyctophilia (2020)
  • Dale (2023)

Singles

  • "Red Eye!" (2020)
  • "Felony" (2020)
  • "Prada" (2020)
  • "2020" (2020)
  • "Blitz" (2020)
  • "14" with Kashdami (2021)
  • "No Hook" featuring Yvngxchris (2021)
  • "Antisocial" with Slump6s (2021)
  • "Antisocial 2" featuring Slump6s, Yung Fazo, SSGKobe and Xhulooo (2021)
  • "Patricia" (2021)
  • "Off the Leash!" featuring Yvngxchris and Luisss (2022)
  • "NYC" (2022)
  • "Kite" (2022)
  • "Swaggin Like This" featuring Lancey Foux (2022)
  • "Hell Yeah" (2022)
  • "Red" (2022)
  • "Fear No Man" (2022)
  • "Knoya" (2023)
  • "Blow Dis Strain" (2023)
  • "Feds Lurkin'" (2023)
  • "Prolly" (2023)
  • "Nawl" (2023)
  • "HTX" (2023)
  • "Decatur" (2024)
  • "Jesus Piece" (2024)
  • "Living Lavish" (2024)

References

  1. ^ a b c "BabySantana Biography by James Christopher Monger". Allmusic. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "THE BREAK PRESENTS – BABYSANTANA". XXL. March 7, 2022. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  3. ^ "Artists". Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  4. ^ "BabySantana Interview: 14-year-old phenom is penning his story, his way". Our Generation Music. July 22, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  5. ^ "fifteenhunnid". SoundCloud. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  6. ^ "Listen to BabySantana's "Prada (Remix)" [ft. Lil Tecca]: The Ones". Pitchfork. July 16, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  7. ^ "Tana|Galactic". Galactic Records. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  8. ^ BabySantana & KA$HDAMI – 14 (Directed by Cole Bennett), July 20, 2021, retrieved November 29, 2021
  9. ^ "The 13 Best New Hip-Hop Songs This Week". XXL. August 19, 2022. Retrieved October 1, 2022.