Pap Chanel grew up in Milledgeville, Georgia, a small town where limited resources taught her early that she would have to work harder to get where she wanted to go. That mindset became part of who she is.
Her parents separated when she was young, but Pap Chanel speaks highly of both of them and the role they played in shaping her character. She credits her mother’s strength and ability to run a household, along with her father’s consistency, as important examples throughout her upbringing. While she describes herself as being “spoiled” in the sense that her parents made sure she had what she needed and rewarded her when she worked hard, they also taught her not to expect things to simply be handed to her. If she wanted something, she had to earn it.
That work ethic showed up early. Pap Chanel was a focused student who cared about her grades while also staying active as a varsity cheerleader. At just 16, she started her own hair business, PAP, short for Pretty and Paid, balancing entrepreneurship with the demands of high school.
Music entered her life even earlier.
At six years old, Pap Chanel joined her church choir after her mother encouraged her to participate despite her initial nerves. That experience introduced her to performing and gave her an early connection to music. As she got older, her love for poetry and rhythm grew. She began recognizing the similarities between poetry and rap, especially the way words could be structured, delivered and brought to life through rhythm.
Having an older brother also exposed her to some of hip-hop’s most influential voices. Artists like Tupac, T.I. and Biggie Smalls became important influences. To Pap Chanel, they were more than rappers. She saw them as poets who knew how to turn their words into stories over a beat.
By the time she was around 10 to 12 years old, she was writing her own raps. As she grew older, the hobby started becoming something more serious. Around 16 and 17, she began filming freestyle videos with her smartphone, giving people an early look at the artist she was becoming.
Her background as a cheerleader also played a role in her development as a performer. The discipline, confidence and ability to perform in front of people helped prepare her for what would eventually become a career in music.
Then, in 2017, a serious car accident changed the direction of her life.
During her recovery, Pap Chanel had time to slow down and reflect on where she was headed. The experience became a turning point. She began looking at music differently and realized she wanted to give the craft everything she had. By 2018, she was ready to take her career seriously.
She began building her catalog with records like “Bag,” “Talk To Cheap” featuring Lil Baby and “Wonderful,” eventually expanding into full projects. In 2021, she released Pretty & Paid 2.0, followed by the PAPTIVITIES EP in 2023.
Her journey continued with the release of her 2025 album The Girl Next Door, adding another chapter to a career built from years of work, growth and self-belief. Along the way, songs like “Gucci Bucket Hat” featuring Future, “Theme Song,” “Left Right,” “No Biggie,” “Cutthroat” and “Waterfall” have helped define different moments in her musical journey.
Now, Pap Chanel is continuing to move forward with her latest release, “Where You Been,” currently available on all streaming platforms.
From a small town in Georgia to building a name for herself through music, business and perseverance, Pap Chanel’s story has always been rooted in the same lesson she learned growing up: if you want something, you have to work for it.
