By Rose Miami 
HangupsMusic.com – Atlanta, GA – In the rapidly evolving landscape of hip-hop, where overnight sensations can emerge and fade just as quickly, the artist known as Pluto has carved out a distinctive and compelling narrative of ascent. Her journey, marked by viral success, astute business acumen, and a deep-seated connection to her roots, has positioned her as a formidable new voice. While the past year has seen her meteoric rise, it is the foundation built prior to this explosion that truly defines her trajectory.
Pluto’s breakout hit, "Whim Whammie," produced by Zaytoven, Mikey, and Jai, became an undeniable summer anthem. Released in February of the previous year, this track, her second official single, leveraged the potent force of social media to amplify its infectious energy. The song’s virality not only captivated audiences but also signaled to the music industry that a significant new talent had arrived. Major labels, recognizing the immense potential, quickly began to court the Atlanta native.
The pace of Pluto’s career has been nothing short of breathtaking. Within a four-month span, she not only released two full-length albums but also inundated fans with a consistent stream of visually engaging music videos. Tracks such as "Bow," "Motion" (featuring Sexyy Red), "Pull Your Skirt Up," and the chart-topping "Whim Whammie" have collectively garnered millions of streams and views across platforms like Spotify and YouTube, with "Whim Whammie" alone exceeding 39 million views on YouTube and over 74 million streams on Spotify.
Despite the dizzying speed of her success, the 21-year-old Atlanta native demonstrates a maturity and foresight that belies her age. Pluto expresses a clear intention to invest her burgeoning wealth rather than succumb to the allure of extravagant purchases, a testament to her grounded perspective. She understands the ephemeral nature of fame and fortune, emphasizing a strategic approach to her career and finances. "I was always pushing myself to maturity," she shares. "I had no choice but to do for myself, so that’s really what I know. I feel like I’m putting on for my city and my family. I’m really just going for it and I don’t wanna have no mess up. I’m keeping my head strong."
Born Jada Smith, Pluto’s early life was characterized by transience, attending numerous elementary schools before her family settled in Atlanta’s West Side during her fifth-grade year. Her enrollment at Booker T. Washington High School in 2018 marked a period of exploration and discovery. During her sophomore year, she unearthed a latent talent for hairstyling. Encouraged by her godmother, she began taking clients, a decision that proved transformative. "She pushed me into the career, but it was the best thing that could ever happen to me," the rapper reflects. "I blew up immediately off doing hair and taught myself how to do it. High school was a good experience for me because I was doing so many different things. I can go back anytime and it’s nothing but love. It really was a family. It was the build of Pluto before Pluto was Pluto."
Beyond her burgeoning styling business, Pluto also served as an athletic trainer during her high school years, tending to athletes’ needs during games. The demands of school and her growing entrepreneurial ventures meant that a rap career was not yet on her immediate horizon. Graduation in 2022 opened a new chapter, one that would veer unexpectedly toward music. "Rap didn’t come into play until after high school," she recalls. "But my mom, she went to school for music. She used to tell me funny stories, like I was dancing in the womb every time I heard a song. I feel like I got a third eye for music. I love music so much. It’s therapy for me."
The realization that music creation came naturally served as the catalyst. "Me and my friends would get studio sessions just on a random day to kick it and make songs and whatnot," she explains. "It was made out of nothing but fun, good vibes, good energy, laughing and jokes. My mom used to push me all the time, like, ‘You got to get in the studio. You’re going to record for me one day.’"
A period of living away from home preceded her return to her mother’s residence. Her mother had ingeniously transformed Pluto’s former bedroom into a recording studio, often leading Pluto to sleep on the floor. She views these challenging times as essential, fostering a deeper appreciation for her current success. "Everything happened for a reason," she reflects. "[In 2024], around the same time, I was sleeping in the studio, and now I’m one of the biggest artists as of today—that’s crazy… I was once thinking the bad days are never going to end, and now look."
This resilience is a hallmark of her work ethic. The viral genesis of "Whim Whammie" began with a TikTok snippet featuring Pluto and collaborator YKNiece dancing in the snow. The platform became a crucial avenue for her, even contributing to her stage name. The moniker "Pluto" was inspired by her supporters on TikTok and serves as a nod to fellow Atlanta artist Future. "They took it and ran with it, and I ran with it as well because it’s catchy, it pull people in and then it do remind you of Future," she says. "It make you think like, ‘Who is this other Pluto?’ I used to joke like, ‘I’m Future Jr.’ I really just like the name."
The track’s widespread appeal was amplified by its vibrant Atlanta party atmosphere, interwoven with a nostalgic sampling of DJ Cool Breeze and OJ Da Juiceman’s "Wham Bam," which itself referenced D4L rapper Mook B’s "Whim Wham," a foundational track for a popular Atlanta dance. Pluto crafted the lyrics after discovering the beat on YouTube. Following the immense success of "Whim Whammie," Pluto secured a pivotal recording contract with Motown Records in March of 2025.
The Motown deal felt divinely orchestrated. Even before the official music video for "Whim Whammie" was filmed, Pluto was engaged in numerous virtual meetings with record labels while simultaneously working at her hair salon. "It was a lot of situations where me and my manager, we went with our heart and the signs that we got from God," she explains. "From the first phone call [with Motown/Capitol SVP, A&R Kenoe Jordan], it was different from everybody else that we’d spoken to. It was perfect timing in a way because we almost just got into a bad deal."
Pluto’s manager, Niah B., has been an integral witness to her remarkable ascent. "I do see [Pluto’s] growth has changed," she observes. "It was new for her, so certain things she was like, ‘Oh I’m not doing it,’ but now she is open to a lot of things and it’s opened up many more doors."
These expanding opportunities have led to significant collaborations and performances. Beginning in June of the previous year, Pluto graced stages as an opening act on Lil Baby’s WHAM Tour. Furthermore, "Whim Whammie," which peaked at No. 51 on the Billboard Hot 100, has been reimagined and remixed by prominent artists such as Lizzo and Latto. A version featuring Sexyy Red was included on Pluto’s debut album, Both Ways, released in June, with a deluxe edition following a month later. "Any girl would feel overwhelmed with joy because it’s like I was just listening to you guys a couple months ago," Pluto states with a smile. "To be able to sit in the same room and record in the same studio or send a text message to Sexyy Red, it’s mind-blowing."
Her growing influence has also garnered the attention of YoungBoy Never Broke Again, who invited her onstage during an Atlanta stop of his tour to perform their hit song, an experience she described as "amazing" and "surreal." In October of the same year, she released her sophomore LP, Pluto World, featuring "2 Crash Outs," her collaboration with YoungBoy. This 19-track project boasts an impressive roster of guest appearances, including Sexyy Red, Nardo Wick, Real Boston Richey, Hunxcho, and the late Lil Poppa, among others.
Looking towards the future, Pluto has ambitious plans. The possibility of a remix for "Just in Case," featuring GloRilla, has been teased. More significantly, another album is slated for release this year, alongside the planned launch of her own nonprofit organization. "I got my foot on the gas," Pluto asserts. "I’m not letting up, so I can’t do nothing but drop."
Though relatively new to the rap scene, Pluto’s authenticity, relatability, and inherent kindness are poised to propel her career forward. She embodies the spirit of an "around-the-way" girl with undeniable Southern charm, possessing a clear self-awareness. "Can I curse?" she asks coyly, before stating with permission, "I will keep popping my sh*t regardless of everything. I feel like now I’m in a space where nothing can tear me down. Nothing is going to stop me and my music is on fire. That’s what it all come down to—the music." The industry is undoubtedly watching as Pluto continues to apply pressure.
Listen to Pluto’s Pluto World Album