Saweetie Chosen as ESPN’s First Woman Music Curator

Saweetie is bringing her signature style to the NFL this season as ESPN’s first-ever Monday Night Football music curator.

Fans got a preview of the partnership on Saturday, Sept. 6, at ESPN’s Red Nail Bar pop-up salon. The event featured special “Saweet” treats, bold photo moments and signature “ESPN Red” manicures — including a bright red set done by Saweetie’s longtime nail artist, Temeka Jackson.

“Football was the first sport I ever played in my life,” the rapper, 32, tells PEOPLE exclusively at the event. “I come from a really big football family. All my uncles played in college. My dad played in college. My grandfather played in the NFL. So football was probably the first ball I ever took.”

She continues, “So I was super excited when ESPN asked me — honored, actually.”

Being the first woman to serve as a Monday Night Football music curator, Saweetie calls the opportunity a major milestone. In this role, she’ll hand-pick tracks for select ESPN MNF games throughout the season, featured in promotional spots, live telecasts and Monday Night Countdown.

“It’s the biggest night of the week, so I’m just happy they trust me and my music tastes,” she says. “I’m really looking forward to curating playlists and sharing some upcoming musicians with fans.”

When asked if she might include her own songs in the mix, Saweetie teases: “I also have a few tricks up my sleeve.”

If she had to choose her own walkout track, though, the decision is easy — she’d go with “Do It for the Bay,” her collaboration with P-Lo. The choice, she notes, is a tribute to her Bay Area roots and her longtime love for the San Francisco 49ers.

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But for Saweetie, the connection to the sport goes beyond music. Growing up surrounded by athletes, she says sports taught her lessons she still carries into her career today. Now, seeing all the different ways woman are getting involved in sports, she couldn’t be more excited.

“Playing a sport teaches you so much — handling pressure, working as a team, being disciplined,” she says. “Those are the qualities I look for when I hire people too. Sports really give you invaluable skills you can carry anywhere.”

And when it comes to her own game-day style? Saweetie keeps it simple. “Give me sneakers, jeans and a T-shirt,” she says with a laugh. “I wanna be comfortable.”