Miss Alley Cat (born Catherine Renee Hinchsliff) grew up in the Greater St. Louis area and discovered her love for writing and the performing arts at a very early age. Her passion for hip hop led her to create a name for herself by participating in cyphers and contests throughout the Midwest. She was eventually signed to the independent record label Red Shirt Freshman Voice, LLC after challenging the CEO to a rap battle outside of a concert venue in St. Louis.