Latto has made a powerful return to the music scene with the release of her highly anticipated third studio album, Sugar Honey Iced Tea. Following up on her 2022 project, 777, this latest release showcases Latto at the height of her artistic prowess, blending her signature Southern flair with a modern twist.
The album, which spans 21 tracks across two discs, features a blend of fresh material and fan favorites. Disc 2 includes hit singles like “Put It On Da Floor” featuring Cardi B and “Sunday Service” with Megan Thee Stallion and Flo Milli, as well as their solo versions, providing listeners with a full experience of Latto’s recent work.
Latto didn’t hold back on collaborations for this project, bringing in a diverse lineup of guest artists. The album features appearances by Young Nudy, Hunxho, Coco Jones, Megan Thee Stallion, Ciara, Mariah The Scientist, and Teezo Touchdown, adding depth and variety to the record.
RCA Records president Mark Pitts expressed his admiration for the album, telling Billboard, “The whole album is the single. It’s a story — it ain’t just hot records. I haven’t loved a female rap album since Lil’ Kim. There’s songs I love, but an album? This album, from top to bottom, is that. She put in work and it’s curated.”
Sugar Honey Iced Tea is a vibrant homage to Latto’s hometown of Atlanta, GA, with the artist drawing on the city’s rich musical legacy while also pushing its boundaries. The album’s eclectic mix of collaborations bridges the gap between Atlanta’s legendary figures and the emerging voices shaping the future of Southern hip-hop.
Despite the success of earlier singles like “Put It On Da Floor Again” (which peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100) and “Sunday Service” (which reached No. 100), the album’s journey truly began with the release of “Big Mama.” This track has climbed to No. 29 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and was recently performed by Latto in a medley at the BET Awards, where she also teased the album’s closing track, “S/O to Me.”
In a recent Billboard cover story, Latto described the album as an embodiment of Southern culture, stating, “I feel like what I’m doing has not been done before. Aesthetically, I’ve been pulling from Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, and Lil’ Kim. Musically, I’ve been pulling from Kelis, but obviously with a Southern hip-hop twist. They have very feminine energy, but masculine in the sense of confidence.”