BET recently announced its Cypher Talent lineup for this year’s BET Hip-Hop Awards show. Nestled among the list of heavy hitters is Sauce Walka, to the excitement of his many fans. But even though he’s gaining traction by the day, not many know who he is outside of rap.
What is ‘BET Hip-Hop Awards’ Cypher Talent?
Since 2006, the BET Hip-Hop Awards have been an annual celebration of hip-hop. From rappers to producers to DJs, everyone who’s anyone is sure to be there.
Part of the ceremony includes a lineup of cypher talent, a group of hip-hop artists who come together to perform. In the early days of hip-hop, rappers would form a circle to showcase their lyricism — called a cypher. That tradition lives on today with some of the most popular rap artists forming cyphers that shake the culture.
For example, record label TDE formed a cypher for the 2013 BET Hip-Hop Awards. Top artists Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, Isaiah Rashad, and Jay Rock performed over the instrumental for “Shook Ones, Pt. II” by Mobb Deep, setting the stage on fire.
And with a lineup of heavyweight artists like Baby Tate, Jayson Cash, and Sauce Walka, this year will be no different.
Who is Sauce Walka?
Sauce Walka, born Albert Mondane, is an up-and-coming rapper from Houston, Texas. He started gaining steam in the industry when he released a diss track called “Wack 2 Wack” aimed at rapper Drake. But that wasn’t his first time in the spotlight.
In 2007, he joined Houston rap group Mostheard, adopting the stage name A-Walk. And in 2014, he partnered with fellow rapper Sancho Saucy to create a rap duo called Sauce Twinz. During that time, he released a number of mixtapes, promoting himself under a new name, Sauce Walka.
What To Know About Sauce Walka
Sauce Walka is a rising talent in the hip-hop industry. But even though he’s gaining steam online and IRL, many people question just who the rap beast really is. Here are five things to know about Houston rapper, Sauce Walka:
Sauce Walka Says He Coined the Slang Term "Drip"
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“Drip” is a popular word used by many in the industry, from rap lyrics to everyday slang. Cardi B even created a song called “Drip” that quickly catapulted to success, earning a spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Still, many argue who coined it first.
In an interview with Hot 97, Sauce Walka says he coined the slang term “drip,” explaining how the word has infiltrated popular culture. “People used to say ‘fly.’ M*therf*ckers used to be like ‘I’m the flyest. I’m the illest.’ Now m*therf*ckers want to say ‘I’m the sauciest. I got the most drip. I drip the hardest.'”
He continues, adding that he and his crew not only started the word, but they embody it as well. “That’s our whole lifestyle, you know my name is Sauce Walka. Everything we do is splash-tastic and sauce-arific.”
Even Soulja Boy chatted with SAY CHEESE! to credit Sauce Walka for popularizing the word. “The n*gga who was out there on the forefront with it was Sauce Walka. So Sauce Walka and TSF, they got the sauce.”
He Founded A Record Label
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In 2014, Sauce Walka started an independent record label called The Sauce Factory. Since then, the label has signed on a number of artists, including 5th Ward JP, Rizzoo Rizzoo, and Rodji Diego.
But even though The Sauce Factory boasted a lineup of heavy hitters, not everyone proved to be a fan. In 2018, Texas court documents named the record label a “documented gang,” saying that it was “known for criminal activity.”
But Sauce Walka fired back against the accusations. “I’m going to keep rapping because I know I’m not a gang. I know we’re not a gang, I know that I’m a record label, I know that I’m an artist […] I’m not into gang activity or none of that stuff that’s going on, I’m not worried about that, it’s not what’s going on.”
He Reps Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas is the place where many of your favorite celebrities call home, from Beyonce to Travis Scott. And when it comes to Houston natives, they don’t play about their city.
Sauce Walka reps his hometown everywhere he goes. In fact, his love for his city is why he released a diss track aimed at Drake.
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In 2015, Sauce Walka took to social media to air his grievances with the “Falling Back” rapper, even @ing him in the process. He accused Drake of appropriating Houston culture with his Houston Appreciation Weekend celebration, saying that even though he highlights local artists during the event, he doesn’t work with them outside of it.
“N**** comes down and uses our culture for lyrical content and ain’t giving s–t back but a family fun day and some money to some hoes he’s tricking on in the club. You f–king idiot,” he says in an Instagram video post. “This b**** ass n**** made music with artists from everywhere but Houston.”
Later, Drake addressed naysayers at his concert in Houston, with fans alleging his comments were directed at Sauce Walka.
“I don’t give a f–k what any n**** ever says about me. This is a place that I love with all my heart. I’m trying to give you more than I ever took from you,” Drake says. “F*** what them n****s talking about.”
He Practices Meditation
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Part of becoming a heavy hitter in the industry involves believing in your talent, even when others doubt you. In an interview with Our Generation Music, Sauce Walka reveals that he practices manifestation to chase his dreams.
“My mind and my perception of hustling and being able to speak things into existence and speak money into fruition from preditated thought — I just been on that for a long time.”
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This comes as no surprise considering the “Where Was You At” rapper started his own record label at a young age. Not to mention, he’s worked with a number of top artists, including Megan Thee Stallion, Travis Scott, and Busta Rhymes. Today, he has his hands in multiple pots, with no signs of slowing down.
“I own websites, tech companies, data mining groups.” He shares, later adding that he even dropped six albums in a single year.
He Knows His Worth
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In an interview with Our Generation Music, Sauce Walka discusses reveals that he never had a job because he refused to allow someone to determine his value.
“I feel like my value and my worth is way more than what somebody could adequately pay me for. And I just always understood that.”
Instead, he says he worked for himself, earning a whopping $200,000 in his late teens. And according to the “Ghetto Gospel” rapper, his business mentality is nothing new.
“I was always the kid that’s like ‘D*mn, everybody pointing for the most expensive car on the freeway.'” He says. “‘[But] who is the person that owns the freeway, though?'”
He Likes Anime
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Sauce Walka is a pretty big anime fan having grown up watching it. He owns a number of chains featuring characters from popular anime series, from Street Fighter to Pokemon. He even hired an artist to create artwork inspired by his love of anime for his living room walls.
He recalls growing up in the hood, saying that “people used to laugh at people that got past a certain age and still had a love of [anime].”
That perspective has since changed, with hip-hop artists from all over the world now showcasing their love for anime.
Sauce Walka credits himself as one of the first to introduce anime to hip-hop, along with Chris Brown and Chief Keef. And as an avid anime fan, receiving support from his diehard fans means a lot to him.
“Really being the embodiment of cartoons and anime and getting jewelry and making songs and shooting Hadouken and Naruto guns, and hitting Shadow Clone jutsus and sh*t like that, like, I’m really one of the first to do that sh*t and still get the love and the respect from the hood.”
