Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Young M.A

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 24, 2025

Discover the career path of Young M.A, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Young M.A, whose real name is Katorah Kasanova Marrero, is an American rapper who gained prominence with her hit single "Ooouuu" in 2016. The song reached number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and achieved quadruple platinum status. The music video for "Ooouuu" went viral, accumulating over 400 million views on YouTube. Her debut album, Herstory in the Making, released in 2019, also peaked at number 16 on the Billboard 200 and received positive reviews.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2009: Founding of KWEENZ Foundation

In 2009, Young M.A founded the KWEENZ Foundation to help those in her East New York neighborhood overcome grief and trauma, also involving her mother in the process.

2014: Controversy over "Brooklyn Chiraq"

In 2014, Young M.A faced controversy when her song "Brooklyn Chiraq", a freestyle to Nicki Minaj and G Herbo "ChiRaq" was criticized for promoting violent energy, which ultimately increased her name recognition.

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2015: Release of "Body Bag" and Sleep Walkin' Mixtape

In 2015, Young M.A released the song "Body Bag", which became a "YouTube hit", and her mixtape Sleep Walkin'.

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September 2016: Success of "Ooouuu" and Remixes

In September 2016, Young M.A's debut single "Ooouuu" had nearly 7 million plays on Spotify and was widely remixed by artists such as Remy Ma, French Montana and Nicki Minaj.

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2016: BET Hip Hop Awards Performance

In 2016, Young M.A performed a freestyle and "Ooouuu" at the BET Hip Hop Awards, receiving positive reviews, though she expressed disappointment as BET cut out a portion of her performance.

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2016: Release of "Ooouuu"

In 2016, Young M.A released her single "Ooouuu", which became a hit, peaking at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100.

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2016: Turning Down Role on Empire

In 2016, Young M.A revealed she turned down the role of "Betty Bars" on the TV show Empire offered by Lee Daniels, choosing to focus on her rap career under her own name.

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