The story behind American rap sensation Latto's rise to fame is deeply intertwined with the support and influence of her parents, Misti Pitts and Shayne Stephens. As fans increasingly seek to understand the roots of the "Big Energy" hitmaker, the narrative of her family background reveals a tale of early encouragement, shared passions, and a subsequent, very public falling out.
The Foundation: A Supportive Family Unit
Alyssa Michelle Stephens, known globally as Latto, did not emerge in a vacuum. Her journey was championed from the start by her biracial parents, who had her at a young age. Her father, Shayne Stephens, is an African American entrepreneur originally from Columbus, Ohio. Her mother, Misti Pitts, is white and was born on December 29, 1982, making her 42 years old as of November 2025.
The couple, who are only three years apart in age, have always been married and reside in Atlanta, Georgia. They nurtured Latto's passion for music from an incredibly young age; she began writing rap songs at just ten years old. This early support was instrumental, with her father initially acting as her manager and helping her secure a life-changing victory on the reality competition "The Rap Game" in 2016.
A Father-Daughter Partnership Turns Sour
For years, Shayne Stephens was a visible and active force in his daughter's career. Beyond managing her early gigs, he continued the family's tradition in drag racing, even supplying vehicles for major music videos. However, this successful professional partnership eventually fractured.
Latto has been candid about the estrangement, which she cites as one of her biggest regrets. In a cover interview for XXL’s November 2023 issue, she expressed remorse for mixing family with business, stating they no longer speak. The rift deepened with public accusations from Latto in August 2024, where she claimed on her Instagram Story that her father "steals from me and tells everyone I’m in the Illuminati." This marked a stark contrast to the united front they presented to the world on television just years prior.
The Pillars of Her Life: Mother and Sister
While her relationship with her father has become distant, Latto's bond with her mother, Misti Pitts, and her younger sister, Brooklyn Nikole, remains incredibly strong. Latto and her sister, who share the same parents, consider their mother "their everything." Brooklyn, born on July 19, 2002, is an Instagram model and social media personality with over 700,000 followers, and she plans to be the first in her family to graduate from college.
The sisters have a famously close relationship. In a powerful display of sisterhood, Latto gifted Brooklyn a Mercedes-Benz SUV for her 21st birthday in July 2023 and has openly emphasized the importance of female support in the cutthroat music industry, a value she says is embedded in her from her tight-knit relationship with her sister and mother.
The trajectory of Latto's career—from a talented child to a Grammy-nominated superstar—is a testament to the foundation her parents built. Yet, her ongoing fallout with her father serves as a poignant reminder of the complex challenges that can accompany immense success, especially when family and business become inextricably linked.
