Happy Birthday, Erica Mena! Let's Take A Look Back At Your Best Pre-'Love & Hip Hop' Work

Erica Mena's birthday is today and she turns the ripe old age of 26. Of course you know her from Love & Hip Hop and her blowout fights with Kimbella, Rich Dollaz, and Tiffany, but in honor of her birthday, we dug deeper into the Mena archives to bring you some moments from her past that you may not have seen. Like, for instance, her role on Kourtney & Kim Take Miami where she palled around with Kardashians, and her many music videos, ranging from 50 Cent's "Candy Shop" to Fabolous' "Breathe" (her Love & Hip Hop associations began even before she appeared on the show --- seriously, as you scroll through the clips, take note of how many VH1 connections she already had!).

Here are twelve videos featuring Erica Mena before she was "Erica Mena." Happy birthday, girl!

[Photo: Instagram]

Erica actually worked with Olivia before Love & Hip Hop; they were both in 50 Cent's video for "Candy Shop."

The Kardashians speak the language of vocal fry, but that's about as bi-lingual as they get. On Kourtney & Kim Take Miami, Erica actually saved the day as the only Spanish-speaking employee in the shop.

Terror Squad, "Lean Back"

Young Gunz, "Can't Stop, Won't Stop"

Erica Mena "Where Do I Go From Here"

Well, yeah, she appears in her own video. But for the first time she's showing off some of her other talents besides having that body.

Kimbella wasn't the only Love & Hip Hop star engaged in extracurricular activity with Fabolous. In his video for "Breathe," Erica pops up...does Emily B. know about this?

Back in 2007, Erica was the girl who caught Chris Brown's eye in his video for "Yo (Excuse Me, Miss)."

Mobb Deep ft. Lil Jon, "Real Gangstaz"

Keeping it in the VH1 family yet again, here she is in T.I.'s video for "What You Know."

Twista ft. Pitbull, "Hit The Floor"

Look, we know we're grasping at straws to make VH1 connections with all of these video's Erica's in, but our network does have a show called Hit The Floor.

Bobby Valentino Ft. Lil Wayne, "Tell Me"

Another VH1 connection?You don't say. Let's not forget that it was Bobby V's lake house that hosted Kirk and Benzino's craziest night ever.

Akon ft. Young Jeezy & Lil Wayne, "I'm So Paid"

She's on a boat! With Akon!