Sarai

Sarai, born Sarai Marie Howard in 1981, is an artist originally from Kingston, New York.

Raised by her single mother Teresa, her childhood was marked by frequent moves and school changes. Initially influenced by her mother’s musical tastes and MTV, her musical direction shifted towards rap and hip-hop thanks to her older brother Michael, who introduced her to pioneering groups like Public Enemy, Run-D.M.C., and NWA. She then developed a passion for artists such as Jay-Z, Tupac, and The Notorious B.I.G.

From a young age, Sarai showed an interest in writing through poetry. At age fifteen, while improvising humorous rhymes with friends, she took her first steps into rap, an activity that remained a hobby throughout her high school years.

Her career truly took off at age seventeen during a trip to Atlanta. Following a chance encounter, she was introduced to producer L.J. Sutton, also known as Chocolate Starr. Impressed by her flow, he took her under his wing, leading her to move permanently to Atlanta in 2000 to pursue her career.

In 2003, after signing with Epic Records, Sarai became the first white female rapper to secure a major label deal. She released her debut album, *The Original*, the same year, including the singles Pack Ya Bags and Ladies. Some radio DJs nicknamed her “Feminem,” in reference to Eminem, a comparison she did not particularly appreciate.

Despite some chart success, her musical career was perceived by some as a curiosity in an industry then dominated by Black men, which may have limited the recognition of her talent. Later, she also tried her hand at acting, appearing in the film *National Lampoon’s Pledge This!*.

She is also known under the aliases Miss Eighty 6 and Sarai, as well as the name variation Saïrïaï.