Fans Really Didn't Know Mia X is a Best-Selling Author and Chef

MUSIC | FOOD & DRINK | CULTURE
No matter who you feel won the No Limit x Cash Money Records Verzuz, everyone agrees Mia X was definitely a performer that stole the show. This past Verzuz spotlighted the energy of hip-hop’s past, and no one shined brighter on that stage than Mia X. As fans cheered her powerhouse verses, many were surprised to learn that beyond her rap career the Big Mama Mia has quietly become a best-selling author and chef. Since her No Limit Records heyday in the 1990s, Mia X has parlayed her creativity into writing and cooking – continuing to inspire as a proud New Orleans native.

Mia X’s New Chapter: Authorship and Culinary Creativity

After bowing out of music to raise her children in the late 90s, Mia X spent years sharpening her writing and cooking skills. In 2018 she published her long-awaited cookbook/memoir “Things My Grandma Told Me, Things My Grandma Showed Me: A Cookbook of Memories 1975–2001.” The book is part life story and part family recipe collection, honoring the legendary "Mamaw" who raised her. It chronicles Mia’s journey – from becoming a teen mother and surviving hardships to rising as one of Southern rap’s most respected voices – while sharing over 40 classic Creole recipes from her Louisiana childhood. Released at the Essence Festival, the memoir quickly became an event-bookstore best-seller, proving Mia’s fans were eager to read her story. Her writing is candid and empowering, giving readers an inside look at the “Lyrical Mother-Eater” with the same raw honesty that defined her music.

Team Whip Dem Pots: Mia X’s Culinary Brand

Embracing her nickname “Mama Mia,” Mia X launched Team Whip Dem Pots, a kitchen and lifestyle brand showcasing her cooking skills. She developed “Mama Mia’s Seasoning,” an all-purpose Creole spice blend sold online and used in her recipes. Mia often cooks for celebrity events, community gatherings, and in festival demo kitchens. In fact, she has served as a highlighted chef at the Essence Eats culinary stage for multiple years. There in 2018, she demoed dishes and simultaneously held her memoir debut – an unforgettable moment when her first book, still warm off the press, sold out as Mia whipped up Creole staples. Through Team Whip Dem Pots, Mia X shares videos and recipes on social media, teaching fans how to “whip dem pots” just like she does. Her savvy use of Instagram and YouTube shows her blending music, cooking, and entrepreneurship – embodying the spirit of a modern Black creative who can rap lyrics one day and perfect gumbo the next.

Image: A pot of steaming jambalaya with sausage, a classic Louisiana Creole dish. Mia X’s cooking is deeply rooted in New Orleans tradition. Growing up, she learned Creole recipes from her grandmother and mother, from jambalaya and gumbo to etouffee and pralines. Her book’s pages are filled with these family flavors, and she often references local ingredients in her cooking demonstrations. Mia’s social media posts feature Cajun and Creole dishes that celebrate Louisiana’s rich food culture – a bridge between her past as a rap innovator and her present as a community chef. She frequently emphasizes that her “New Orleans soul” is behind every bowl she makes, inspiring others to embrace their heritage through food.

Image: A street sign advertising hot crawfish and other Louisiana seafood specialties in New Orleans. The flavors of the Gulf Coast are also central to Mia’s culinary mission. As the founder of Team Whip Dem Pots, she highlights Louisiana staples like boiled crawfish, shrimp etouffee, and smoky andouille. Her “For Whatever Seasoning” product was even named after a New Orleans saying, capturing the city’s lively spirit. By turning the city’s cuisine into a brand, Mia X keeps her hometown close. She honors New Orleans not just through taste but through service: known locally as Mama Mia, she’s involved in community work and mentorship. She has served on boards and been recognized by Louisiana officials for her charity work. Everything Mia does in the kitchen is a celebration of her city’s culture and creativity, making sure the Big Easy’s legacy stays alive in every recipe she shares.

Pioneering Southern Hip Hop

Mia X’s influence in music remains legendary. In the 90s she was the first lady of Master P’s No Limit Records, breaking ground as a powerful female rapper in a male-dominated scene. Albums like Good Girl Gone Bad, Unlady Like, and Mama Drama debuted near the top of the charts, earning gold certifications and introducing “the biggest mama” nickname nationwide. She co-wrote memorable tracks with No Limit superstars, infusing hits with her confident flow and trademark catchphrases. Mia’s impact goes beyond sales – she helped legitimize Southern women in hip-hop, opening doors for the next generation of MCs. Onstage or in her autobiography, Mia X has always projected strength and defiance. At the recent Verzuz, fans old and new saw her still commanding the mic with intensity, reminding the world why her lyrics remain influential.

Beyond the Music: Empowerment and Legacy

Throughout it all, Mia X has embodied resilience and empowerment. Her own life story – overcoming teen pregnancy, violence, and personal loss – is woven into the narrative she now shares with fans. By telling her truth in the memoir and celebrating her ancestry through cooking, Mia shows that creativity can heal and uplift. She often speaks about the wisdom passed down from female family members, and now she becomes a role model herself: an entrepreneur who turned passion into profession, a Black woman redefining success on her own terms. Mia X mentors young women in New Orleans, encouraging them to pursue their talents whether it’s music, art, or culinary arts. In every chapter of her career – from “The Lyrical Mother” of rap to a chef stirring pots – Mia X sends an inspiring message: you can be multifaceted, honoring tradition while forging new paths. Her journey from No Limit soldier to business owner confirms that there’s no ceiling on what a determined Black creative can achieve.

For the fans who thought they knew Mia X, this latest chapter is a powerful revelation. She continues to surprise and empower people through both beats and biscuits. For regular updates on Mia’s music performances, cookbook signings, or Team Whip Dem Pots happenings, follow her online. Stay connected with Mia X on Instagram (@themamamiax) and Twitter (@TheRealMiaX). The “Mia movement” is still going strong, and she’s bringing fans along for the ride – proving there truly is No Limit to her creativity.👓

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