Who Is Stunna Girl? The Rapper Behind TikTok’s Runway Hit

Stunna Girl, born Suzanne Sade Brown on July 2, 1998, is a Sacramento rapper who gained fame when her song “Runway” went viral on TikTok in 2019. The track sparked the #RunwayChallenge, earning her over 3 million video creations and a Capitol Records deal.

Stunna Girl’s Real Name and Early Life in Sacramento

Suzanne Sade Brown grew up in the Oak Park neighborhood of Sacramento, California, one of eight siblings navigating a turbulent childhood. Her stage name “Stunna Girl” came from her personality at age 12—she explains it reflected being flashy and making her own money, always standing out in a crowd.

Her early years were marked by instability. When she was around 12 years old, her mom went to prison for two years, forcing the children to move between relatives’ homes. The family only found stability briefly during her elementary school years.

She was expelled from her school in the seventh grade, and she then went to charter schools once a week in the eighth grade. Brown dropped out of high school in the ninth grade after only one week. Between the ages of 12 and 14, she spent time in juvenile detention for fighting and robbery. She then served three years in a youth jail for assault, robbery, and using fake IDs before being released at 17.

Despite these setbacks, she did earn her GED and took a few college courses while incarcerated. Of mixed Mexican and Samoan descent, Stunna Girl’s story is one of survival and eventual transformation through music.

How Music Became Her Escape: The Origin Story

At the age of 8, she was shown how to record music in her dad’s makeshift home studio. Her father was a street rapper who introduced her to the recording process, while her mother encouraged her to perform from age five. These early experiences planted seeds that would later bloom into a full career.

From that point on, she was ready to be an artist, starting as a singer in the early years of her music journey. By 12, she was rapping. Music wasn’t just a hobby—it became her lifeline out of street life.

After her release from incarceration at 17, Stunna Girl committed herself seriously to her craft. She spent hours writing lyrics, recording songs, and practicing rap skills. In 2018, she began uploading songs and music videos to YouTube, building a local following in Sacramento. Her first professional releases included “On the Record” and “Tap Out,” which showcased her aggressive, high-energy style.

By early 2019, she released her debut mixtape YKWTFGO (You Know What the Fuck Goin’ On), featuring the track that would change her life: “Runway.”

“Runway” and the Viral Breakthrough That Changed Everything

“Runway” was released in February 2019 as part of YKWTFGO, but it didn’t immediately take off. The song’s opening line—”Bitch, I look like I’m fresh off the runway”—combined with Stunna Girl’s distinctive anime-esque vocal style created an infectious earworm.

The #RunwayChallenge Phenomenon

Unbeknownst to her, it blew up on TikTok in July 2019. What made “Runway” perfect for TikTok was its short, catchy hook ideal for 15-second videos. The song became the soundtrack for transformation videos—users would show before-and-after makeovers, strutting confidently after their “glow-ups.”

More than 3 million videos have been made of people strutting their stuff to short clips of the song in what’s become the #RunwayChallenge. The challenge resonated because it tapped into universal experiences: feeling overlooked, then finally getting your moment to shine.

The viral spread happened organically, with no marketing budget or promotional campaign. “I really wasn’t really familiar with what TikTok was,” Stunna Girl told BuzzFeed News. “My younger sister in North Carolina informed my mom that I was going viral on there, but I wasn’t sure what she was talking about”.

The song’s popularity translated beyond TikTok. It reached number 8 on Spotify’s Viral 50 chart and accumulated over 20 million streams across platforms. YouTube videos featuring the track racked up millions of views.

From Viral Hit to Record Deal

The TikTok success caught the attention of major labels. In an Instagram video, Stunna Girl announced she has signed a million-dollar deal with Capitol Music Group, joining a roster that includes some of hip hop’s biggest names.

She said the TikTok trend “definitely” contributed to the deal because it got more people listening to her work. Her story mirrors that of Lil Nas X, whose “Old Town Road” also rode TikTok virality to mainstream success—proving the platform had become a legitimate pathway for unknown artists to break through.

Stunna Girl’s Music Career and Discography

Following the “Runway” success, Stunna Girl continued releasing music that reflected her Sacramento roots and street experiences. Her style blends trap production with aggressive, rapid-fire delivery and a high-pitched vocal tone that makes her instantly recognizable.

Key Releases:

YKWTFGO (2019) – Her breakthrough mixtape featuring “Runway” alongside tracks like “Rotation” and “Let It Drip.”

STUNNA THIS STUNNA THAT (2021) – Described as hyphy-influenced, showcasing her Bay Area musical roots with features including 42 Dugg on “Ratch.”

“Like Dat” (2023) – Another viral hit that received remix versions featuring French Montana and JT from City Girls

“Real Rap” (2023) – A single that reinforced her street credibility

“Courtesy Of A Rich Nigga” (2023) – A celebration of her lavish lifestyle post-success

Unlike many artists who soften their image after mainstream success, Stunna Girl doesn’t feel like she’s new to the game because she is already a household name in Sacramento. She continues rapping about street politics, beefs, and her experiences rather than conforming to mainstream expectations.

As of 2025, she maintains over 319,000 followers on Spotify and 2 million followers on Instagram, with her music videos collectively garnering tens of millions of views.

Baddies West: Crossing Over to Reality Television

In early 2023, Stunna Girl expanded her brand into reality television, joining the cast of Zeus Network’s Baddies West—the third season of the popular reality series created by Natalie Nunn.

“I got into reality TV because everyone was telling me that there was a show that was coming to the West Coast, which I pretty much represent,” Stunna Girl says. Her appearance on the show was controversial from the start. During the first episode’s photoshoot, she unexpectedly attacked cast member Tommie Lee over their previous altercation during auditions, putting her in conflict with multiple cast members.

The show documented ongoing drama between Stunna Girl and other cast members, particularly Biggie and Rollie Pollie. Despite the conflicts, she became a fan favorite for viewers who appreciated her unfiltered personality.

She admits that she originally wanted to start acting. But when she got on the show, she realized that acting and reality TV are two different lanes. She also admitted that Baddies West did not really help her career, but rather showed more of the negative side of her.

She briefly returned for Baddies East (Season 4) before departing due to behind-the-scenes issues with Zeus Network. In 2024, she launched her own reality show, “Stunna Girls,” on her personal RedRum network, giving her creative control over her television narrative.

Personal Life: Marriage, Controversies, and Resilience

In February 2023, Stunna Girl began publicly dating RichMula 500, a fellow rapper and manager who grew up in the same Sacramento area. Stunna Girl reveals that she and Richmula 500, who grew up in the same area as her, have known each other for over a decade. They’ve been married for two and a half years.

However, the relationship faced public turmoil. In August 2024, Stunna Girl announced their separation after she was shot in the chest—allegedly while RichMula 500 fled. In her revelation, she confessed to having cheated on him for two years, adding another layer of complexity to their split.

The shooting incident marked a difficult period, but Stunna Girl demonstrated resilience by continuing to release music and maintain her public presence. She has been open about her struggles while refusing to let controversies define her entire narrative.

Throughout her career, she’s faced criticism for past controversial content, including the use of anti-gay slurs in early music videos. As her platform has grown, she’s had to navigate the tension between her unfiltered street persona and increased public scrutiny.

Stunna Girl’s Impact on Female Rap and What’s Next

At 26 years old (as of 2025), Stunna Girl represents a new generation of female rappers who have built their careers outside traditional industry pathways. Her success demonstrates several important shifts in music:

  • TikTok as Equalizer: Her story shows how social media can bypass traditional gatekeepers, allowing artists with authentic voices to find audiences organically.
  • Street Authenticity: Unlike many rappers who discuss Birkin bags, “I’m sitting here rapping about the streets and the politics, the beef I’m in”. She maintains credibility by not abandoning her roots.
  • West Coast Female Representation: As a Sacramento artist, she brings attention to a region and demographic often overlooked in mainstream hip hop coverage.
  • Multi-Platform Success: By combining music, reality TV, and social media, she’s built a diversified brand that extends beyond any single medium.

With everything Stunna Girl has been through, it has shaped her to be “real” and “humble.” Music is what got her through the life she lived while trying to feed her family so that they could survive.

Looking ahead, Stunna Girl continues working on new music projects while managing her reality show ventures. Her journey from incarceration to viral stardom to established artist proves that talent combined with authenticity can overcome even the most challenging circumstances.

Her estimated net worth stands at around $1 million, accumulated through music sales, streaming royalties, live performances, reality television appearances, and brand endorsements—a remarkable achievement for an artist who started with nothing but a home studio and a dream.

Whether you discovered her through the #RunwayChallenge, Baddies West, or her growing discography, Stunna Girl’s story reminds us that success rarely follows a straight path. Sometimes, the most compelling journeys begin in the most unexpected places.