Megan Thee Stallion is one of the most commanding voices in modern hip-hop. Born Megan Jovon Ruth Pete, the Houston rapper, singer and songwriter has built her career on razor-sharp flow, magnetic charisma and an unapologetic persona that fans celebrate as the "Hot Girl" movement.
Since breaking through at the end of the 2010s, she has collected three Grammy Awards, topped the Billboard Hot 100 three times and become an independent force in the music business, all while earning a college degree and giving back to her Houston community. Here is her story, from her early life to her 2026 headlines.
Early Life
Megan Jovon Ruth Pete was born on February 15, 1995, in San Antonio, Texas, and raised in Houston. As of October 2026, she is 31 years old. An only child, she was raised by her mother, Holly "Holly-Wood" Thomas, who was herself a rapper. Her father, Joseph Pete, died while she was in high school.
Her stage name comes from her nickname: in the South, a "stallion" is slang for a statuesque woman, and at 5 ft 10 in, the young Megan earned the label early. She started writing raps at just 14, and her freestyle cyphers posted online while she was in college turned her into a viral sensation before she had a record deal.
She graduated from Pearland High School in 2013 and went on to study at Texas Southern University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in health administration on December 11, 2021, a promise she kept to her late mother.
Career
Megan released her debut single, "Like a Stallion," in 2016, followed by the EP Make It Hot (2017). In 2018 she became the first female artist signed to 1501 Certified Entertainment, with distribution through 300 Entertainment, and released the EP Tina Snow.
Her breakout came with the mixtape Fever (2019) and the single "Big Ole Freak," her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100. The follow-up EP Suga (2020) kept the momentum going, but it was "Savage" that changed everything: the song exploded on TikTok, and its remix featuring Beyonce gave Megan her first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1.
Later that year, "WAP," her collaboration with Cardi B released on August 7, 2020, also hit No. 1. Her debut studio album, Good News (2020), debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, followed by the compilation Something for Thee Hotties (2021), the album Traumazine (2022), and Megan (June 2024), her first fully independent album under her own imprint, Hot Girl Productions, plus its companion Megan: Act II (2024).
In 2023, "Cobra" became her first fully independent single, and on January 26, 2024, "Hiss" debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100, her first solo chart-topper. In August 2025 she signed a distribution deal with Interscope for Hot Girl Productions, while retaining ownership of her masters and publishing.
Megan's rise parallels that of other modern rap stars profiled on this site, including our Drake biography, Kendrick Lamar biography, Jay-Z biography and Doja Cat biography.
Awards and Achievements
At the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2021, Megan won three Grammys: Best New Artist, the first female rapper to take the award since Lauryn Hill in 1999, plus Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance for the "Savage" remix.
She was named to the Time 100 list in 2020. On February 15, 2022, she launched the Pete and Thomas Foundation in honor of her parents, and her hometown has proclaimed an official "Megan Thee Stallion Day" in Houston.
Recent Work (2026)
October 2026 finds Megan in the headlines once again. She performs at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Los Angeles on October 18, 2026. See the full Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2026 lineup for details.
She is also featured on "DNA (More Than A Game)," the official anthem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, alongside Andrea Bocelli, David Guetta and EJAE. Meanwhile, her "Tina Tuesday" freestyle series has fans speculating about a forthcoming Act III, though as of October 2026 no release date has been announced.
Personal Life
In July 2020, Megan was shot in the feet during an incident in Los Angeles; she has since made a full recovery. She keeps her romantic relationships private and rarely discusses them publicly.
Watch the Official Video
Watch the official video for "Hiss," Megan Thee Stallion's first solo No. 1 hit, below.
"Hiss" - official video.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Megan Thee Stallion's real name?
Her real name is Megan Jovon Ruth Pete. She performs under the stage name Megan Thee Stallion.
How old is Megan Thee Stallion?
She is 31 years old. She was born on February 15, 1995, in San Antonio, Texas.
How many Grammys has Megan Thee Stallion won?
She has won three Grammy Awards. All three came at the 2021 ceremony: Best New Artist, Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance for the "Savage" remix with Beyonce.
What was Megan Thee Stallion's first No. 1 song?
Her first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 was the "Savage" remix featuring Beyonce (2020). Her first solo No. 1 was "Hiss" (2024).
Why is Megan Thee Stallion in the news in October 2026?
She is performing at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Los Angeles on October 18, 2026, and is featured on the 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem "DNA (More Than A Game)."
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