| Sarai | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Sarai Howard |
| Also known as | Miss Eighty 6, Miss 86, 86 |
| Born | January 23, 1981 |
| Origin | Kingston, New York |
| Genres | Hip-hop |
| Occupations | Emcee, Songwriter, Actress |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Labels | Epic/SME Records/DeeTown Entertainment |
Sarai Marie Howard[1] (born January 23, 1981) is a female rapper.
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Born and raised in upstate New York, Sarai Howard didn't exactly imagine herself as a rapper. While her single mother played Fleetwood Mac records, Sarai's older brother exposed his kid sister to the heavy, hard-knock world of hip-hop. Seminal albums by the likes of N.W.A., Public Enemy, and Run-D.M.C. impacted Sarai so much, she wrote her first rhyme at age 15. Two years later, she and a friend took a trip to Atlanta. It was there that Sarai would get her lucky break. She was introduced to producer L.J. Sutton (aka Chocolate Starr), leaving a quick impression as a slick Yankee girl whose rhymes were just as tight as those on the streets. In 2000, Sarai left her college jaunt behind to re-join Sutton down South.[2]
Shortly after relocating to Atlanta, Sarai signed a record deal with Epic Records. Making her the first, white female rapper to be represented by a major U.S. label.[3] In 2001, she was prominently featured on the single "Same Ol' Same Ol' (remix)" by label-mate P.Y.T., and appeared in the group’s music video[4] as well as a 2nd remix on their album.[5] "It's Official," a track from her debut The Original, also appeared as a hidden snippet track on their debut album.
In 2002, "Pack Ya Bags" was released to radio and as a single. Debuted on the R&B/Hip-Hop charts at No. 90.[6] Her record label briefly dubbed her Feminem in an attempt to draw comparisons between her and fellow artist Eminem.
In 2003, "Ladies" was released as a single to radio stations, which landed on the Billboard Hot 100 charts at No. 28. Peaking at No. 19, staying on the charts for 11 weeks.[7] A video was also shot and released.[8] The Original was released on July 29, 2003. The album entered the Billboard 200 chart at No. 187.[9] The album featured production from Ali Dee Theodore, Scott Storch, Beau Dozier, and many others. The album lacked promotion by Epic Records, causing it to go under the radar of many.
In 2004, Sarai began filming National Lampoon's Pledge This! starring Paris Hilton. Portraying a character named Tonya.[10] The film was pushed back many times before releasing in 2006.
After leaving Epic, Sarai (now under the pseudonym Miss Eighty 6) joined Ali Dee Theodore and his company DeeTown Entertainment and has gone to write and perform music and soundtracks for movies and television, including Gossip Girl, Melrose Place, Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane, Bones, Supernatural, Numb3rs, Chuck, The Nine Lives of Chloe King,[11] MTV's Cribs, Dismissed, Pimp My Ride, My Super Sweet 16, High School Stories and Date My Mom. Box office & straight to video films – Alvin and the Chipmunks, Fantastic Four, Harold and Kumar go to White Castle, In the Mix, Aquamarine, American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile & Beta House, spoof films Meet the Spartans, Disaster Movie, Vampires Suck, Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married Too?, For Colored Girls and most recently Little Fockers and Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son.[12]
Sarai was featured on the The Baldwin Brothers Return of the Golden Rhodes on the track, "A Matter Of Time" credited under her name.[13] A video was also shot and released.[14] The song was featured in Double Down, an episode of Numb3rs.
National Lampoon's Pledge This! – played a character named Tonya
Shocked Jock – played a character named Lisa
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