Houston has one of the richest histories in hip-hop. Legends have been made in H-town and gone off to create some of the best music fans have ever heard. Big Moe, Lil' Keke, Big Pokey, Paul Wall, Slim Thug, Mike Jones, Scarface, Geto Boys, Fat Pat, DJ Screw, Z-Ro, Devin The Dude, UGK, Lil Flip, Willie D, Big Hawk, ABN, Chamillionaire and so much more have come out of the city to represent the right way. The birthplace of chopped and screwed, Swishahouse, Rap-A-Lot Records, the history runs a mile long.

Outside of hip-hop, Houston has produced one of the biggest artists to ever walk the earth. For two decades, Beyoncé has dominated music and is easily one of the biggest names in entertainment today. When she started a label, Parkwood Entertainment, with Columbia Records one of the first artists she signed is fellow Houston native, Ingrid.

"We grew up together," she tells XXL of when she first met Bey. "Our moms were friends. My mom is deceased, so when she passed away when I was six because of breast cancer, Ms. Tina, Beyoncé’s mother and another one of their great friends basically took my brother and I in to a certain extent. My mother’s best friend Cheryl, she took us in and Ms. Tina was like aunty. So I was raised with Solange, we’re still best friends ‘til this day. Beyoncé was like a big sister."

But don't chalk up the signing to family ties; Ingrid has talent. The rapper is signed to Sony/ATV publishing as a songwriter and has penned records for the leader of the BeyHive. Most recently, she was credited for her work on the singer's new album, Lemonade. The rapper, singer and songwriter stepped into the spotlight earlier this year and just dropped her EP, Trill Feels, a few weeks ago. After an impressive debut, Houston may have another star.

Name: Ingrid

Age: 29

Hometown: Third Ward, Houston

I grew up listening to: "I grew up listening to country music, DJ Screw, Big Moe, Destiny’s Child, a lot of country music though. Being from Texas and honestly when you’re a youngin’ you don’t get to pick the radio stations. My grandfather, my aunts and some of my uncles used to jam to country [so] that’s how I initially got exposed to it. It became more intriguing than annoying to me back then and it just kind’ve stuck with me since.

"I always felt [music was my path]. I try to go back as far as I can remember. I was in a singing group when I was l really young with my friends probably like 11 years old. Then when I was 13 I recorded my first rap. I was like this is cool. I had a very childish concept on what it means to be an artist. By the time I got to 7th, 8th grade I totally immersed into the Houston hip-hop culture. Freestyling at certain parties, I became known as a rapper.

"I have a great ear for music. I’m also a songwriter. I hear melodies; I have perfect pitch by ear. I can tell you if you’re sharp or flat. Growing up I never felt like I had the prettiest tone, two of my best friends, they are real R&B singers, they have a R&B tones. What’s ironic is one of them is tone deaf. But for me, I always could harmonize and play my role really well. But inadvertently said one day, ‘I want to rap.’

"Being in Third Ward alone, Big Moe lived in Third Ward, Big Pokey was from Yellow Stone, which is a neighborhood that touches Third Ward, Lil Flip. All those guys were right there. It was just cool to know passing by the Screw Shop, which still exist ‘til this day just not the original one, that’s where all the DJ Screw tapes were sold. Just as kid, our parents weren’t letting us really apart of that because these were real gangstas. Seeing that, definitely just gave me an appreciation for authenticity. Not necessarily emulating things I see but being who I am."

Most people don’t know: "Some people may not know I paint and I’m a songwriter. I was actually signed as a songwriter to Sony/ATV before I was signed to Parkwood as an artist. I just recent wrote a song for Lemonade. I wrote “Love Drought” that was the first big placement by myself. I paint; I’m really into visual artwork and curating visuals artwork. I’ve been painting since I was a kid."

My style’s been compared to: "Early on, I got a lot of Kanye West comparisons just for personality because I didn’t quite fit in the gangsta rap mold. Just more so being educated, smart, articulate, cool but in an unconventional way. If I had to describe myself, it would be authentic. I really am what I am. It took me a long time to be comfortable fully in being me.

"I think that separates me from a lot of artists. Society puts labels on you so growing up I always had the same personality, same vibe, same sense of humor and pretty much the same style. But it’s not typical or traditional. So many people tried to put me in boxes, whether it’s been sexuality or if they want to call me a tomboy. Tomboy is a general thing and sexuality I’m heterosexual. So I think that’s another thing that’s misunderstood about me. I’m the typical chick. I’m not trying to conform to what society says I supposed to be as a woman."

My standout records or moments to date have been: "I guess my standout moment is making the Lemonade album. To me personal just having the opportunity to write for Beyoncé when I first did four years go out in the Hamptons that what’s kind of opened the door for me."

My goal in hip-hop is: "I would love for my music to resonate across all cultures and hopefully to be an internationally known artist. I just don’t want to be just a southern rapper or just a rapper. I’m just an artist. And also change the face of what women are supposed to be in, especially in entertainment. Hopefully I can open the door to other talented women who are just that and maybe they haven’t been over sexualized and they can remain like that."

I’m gonna be the next: "Icon, I think that because I do curate artwork and I do write songs and I do rap and I sing. There are so many things that I can do and I’m adamant about doing all of it great. I want to make sure that I’m at my best. I don’t inspire to be famous, if it happens I’ll be oblivious to it or try to be. I would rather be iconic; everything that I create and offer lives on beyond me."

Follow Ingrid on Twitter and Soundcloud.

Standout: Trill Feels

"Double Pedigree"

"Flex"

50 Fire Hip-Hop Albums You Need to Listen to This Summer

More From XXL