Sir Mix-a-Lot facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir Mix-a-Lot
Sir Mix-a-Lot in 2006
Background information
Birth name	Anthony L. Ray
Also known as	Bumpasaurus Prime Minista
Born	(1963-08-12) August 12, 1963 (age 62) Auburn, Washington, U.S.
Origin	Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Genres	Hip-hop electro-funk
Occupation(s)	Rapper songwriter record producer
Years active	1981–present
Labels	Nastymix Ichiban American Artist Direct BMG
Associated acts	Rick Rubin

Anthony L. Ray (born August 12, 1963), known as Sir Mix-a-Lot, is an American rapper. He is famous for his 1992 song "Baby Got Back". This song reached number one on the Billboard music chart.

Early Life and Music Start

Anthony Ray was born in Auburn, Washington, on August 12, 1963. He grew up in Seattle's Central District. His mother worked as a nurse. Anthony loved hip hop music and began rapping in the early 1980s.

He went to Roosevelt High School in Seattle. At that time, schools were trying to mix students from different neighborhoods. Anthony was bused from his area to a school across the city. He felt this was a good chance for him. A music teacher also helped him see a future in music.

From a young age, Anthony was interested in electronics. He worked at a pinball arcade, fixing machines. This helped him learn to fix musical equipment too. He still enjoys working with electronics as a hobby.

Music Career Highlights

Starting Out in the 1980s

After high school, Sir Mix-a-Lot started DJing parties. By 1983, he was playing regularly at youth clubs in Seattle. He met 'Nasty' Nes Rodriguez, a local radio DJ.

Sir Mix-a-Lot, Nasty Nes, and Ed Locke started the Nastymix record label in 1983. Their first popular song was "Square Dance Rap" in 1986. Mix-a-Lot used a unique, high-pitched voice for the song. It became popular in clubs across the country.

His next hit was "Posse on Broadway" in 1987. This song mentioned many famous places in Seattle. It was popular locally.

Sir Mix-a-Lot's first album, Swass, came out in 1988. It included "Square-Dance Rap" and "Iron Man." "Iron Man" was a rap metal song that used parts of a Black Sabbath song. By 1990, Swass sold over a million copies, earning a platinum award.

His second album, Seminar, was released in 1989. It featured songs like "My Hooptie" and "Beepers."

Success in the 1990s

In 1991, Sir Mix-a-Lot joined the Def American record label. He released his third album, Mack Daddy, in 1992. The song "Baby Got Back" from this album was a huge hit. It reached number one and sold over two million copies. It also won a Grammy Award in 1993. The music video for "Baby Got Back" was shown on MTV only late at night due to its content.

In 1993, Sir Mix-a-Lot worked with the band Mudhoney on a song called "Freak Momma." This song was for the Judgment Night movie soundtrack.

His 1994 album, Chief Boot Knocka, did well on the music charts. It included the song "Put 'Em On The Glass." Another song, "Just Da ... in Me," was nominated for a Grammy Award.

Sir Mix-a-Lot left Def American after his 1996 album, Return of the Bumpasaurus, did not sell as well. From 1999 to 2000, he worked with the band The Presidents of the United States of America. They formed a group called "Subset" and mixed rock and rap music.

2000s and Beyond

In 2003, Sir Mix-a-Lot released the album Daddy's Home. The main song from this album was "Big ...". He also released a DVD to promote the album.

In 2010, he announced a new album called Dun 4got About Mix. The first song, "Carz," was released online. He also worked on a remix for the band Puscifer.

Sir Mix-a-Lot performing at the 2024 Winter Classic in Seattle.

In 2013, Sir Mix-a-Lot produced an album for the band Ayron Jones and The Way. He also appeared in advertisements for the Washington State Lottery.

In 2014, he performed with the Seattle Symphony. They played a new piece of music inspired by Seattle's music scene. Also in 2014, rapper Nicki Minaj released her song "Anaconda." This song famously used parts of "Baby Got Back." Sir Mix-a-Lot praised her song.

From 2017 to 2019, Sir Mix-a-Lot hosted a morning radio show in Seattle. He still performs at festivals across the country.

Television Appearances

In 1995, Sir Mix-a-Lot hosted a TV show called The Watcher. Later, he said he wished he hadn't done the show.

He has appeared on several animated TV shows. In 2006, he was on Adult Swim's Tom Goes to the Mayor and The Simpsons. In 2008, he was on Robot Chicken, singing a song about King Arthur's Round Table. He also voiced characters like Hans Blix and Stevie Wonder. In 2017, he appeared on BoJack Horseman. In 2025, he was on Family Guy, singing a song called "Lady Kneecaps."

Sir Mix-a-Lot also provided narration for Wheedle's Groove. This 2009 documentary was about the funk and soul music scene in Seattle during the 1960s and 70s.

In June 2018, the DIY Network aired a special called Sir Mix-A-Lot's House Remix. In this show, Sir Mix-a-Lot bought and renovated a house in Seattle. In 2019, he became a spokesperson for Cards Against Humanity's "... Pack."

Music Albums

• Swass (1988)
• Seminar (1989)
• Mack Daddy (1992)
• Chief Boot Knocka (1994)
• Return of the Bumpasaurus (1996)
• Daddy's Home (2003)

TV Shows and Movies

Awards and Nominations

Grammy Awards

MTV Video Music Awards

American Music Awards

Soul Train Music Awards

See also

In Spanish: Sir Mix-a-Lot para niños