I came across Allizae a few years ago. A controversial rapper with explicit content who was building her own lane in the Toronto music industry.
Then, I saw that she had partnered up with Oasis Lounge. A sex club in the city that seemed to go well with her brand.
And also, I saw her doing the Zae Link podcasted which hosted one of our previous Women Crushing It, Ray Xy.
Finally, she released a book of poetry that I recommend all of you get and read.
I didn't reach out to her earlier because I didn't think she would have responded. But she did and to be honest, I have learned a lot about her. And to be perfectly honest, I believe you will get a treat from this interview.
Never judge a book by its cover. I learned that. So enjoy reading about this week's Woman Crushing It Wednesday... ALLIZAE!
So, okay, let me just get started right right now. So my first question, is a common question I usually have. Every superhero has an origin story. What is yours?
Superhero? I don't know if I'm really considered a superhero.
Actually, I would say this. I'm pretty sure a lot of people told you can't make it doing this, or you can't be successful doing that, or whatever. But despite the naysayers, you just went ahead and followed your path. And you own your journey now. A lot of people would love to be in your position.
I think it comes down to the core of having ambition, perseverance, and resilience. These are all good words and traits to have. I mean, once you feel comfortable with what you're doing, and once you know how to plan out and have a strategy and have goals, it makes it easier to achieve them by goal setting, and also having objectives. And through the different challenges of music, entertainment, business, family life, and all these other things, there's a way of balance. And if you find that your creative passion is getting destroyed or minimized because of influences or certain people in your life, you have to distance yourself and then get back to what's true to you. Because that's when people start getting into episodes of depression or writer's block, or different things that block their creativity and creative soul before anything else. So once I feel like that creativity is starting to subside. I tried to make adjustments and find ways to reconnect.
True, true, true. Well, well, very well said. Alright, um, but let's get back to that question. Your origin story. How would you describe it?
That's a good question. I would say that the origin story starts with trial and error. Experimentation is huge. Because we like to get our feet wet. But also, I like to test the water. And I like controversy. So I like to push boundaries. And I like to stick to what's in opposition to repression and stuff. I like self expression, I like to promote creativity. So in the beginning, it was challenging the status quo, challenging norms, embracing sexuality and different areas of entertainment, and sticking to it and always finding ways to incorporate it into my brand, or whether it was poetry, rap music, adult entertainment, or different avenues that I've explored. I've always found a way to keep my brand consistent with my department or just in my aura of presentation.
Nice. Nice. Alright. I got to know you. When I first basically came in to learn about you, you were a hip hop artist. And I was seeing a lot of your music videos.
I would say more rap, versus hip hop because I wasn't really a hip hop. I was more like an underground rapper.
Okay, so you were a rapper. You had a unique style to yourself. So when did you first start rapping?
Well, I'm a writer first and then a performer secondary. So a lot of people understand I'm not a big stage performer. And I'm not a freestyler like that. I like to put craft into my craft and energy, 100% of writing skills, using language and grammar. Rhyming is a huge part of what I like to do. So I mostly started off with poetry, and then it evolved into rap. Because with poetry, I feel like I'm more filtered and I'm more conscientious of the language I use and the style. Rap makes me feel more in control, more empowered, more sexually motivated and charged. And then it just allows me to be more free flowing and unapologetic. So the writing started when I was a teen. And then listening to certain influences out there like Lil’ Kim and other rappers. So the main ones for me were a Lil’ Kim and Vybz Kartel as a teen. And authors, Eric Jerome Dickey and Sister Souljah. So those were my literary and grammatically correct influences growing up, which helped me realize that I can use that lane. And sound good at it and be confident.
Nice. That's beautiful. All right. Cool. So being a rapper, who, again, pushes boundaries with sexuality... Not too long ago, we had WAP that came out. And all of society just lost their mind. Because the criticism was that young girls are going to follow in their footsteps and be reckless. I guess that was their fear. What were your thoughts when hearing those critics?
I’m used to it because I was very influenced by Lil’ Kim and she pushed boundaries by being super explicit talking about deepthroating a Sprite can with Cisco and different metaphorical references that were used. So when you have songs like WAP, for me, generationally, it's not huge shock value, because there's only certain artists that can promote and provoke that type of shock. And it's not just a 2021 type of thing. It's always depending on the type of successful artists that's out there. Because even Megan Thee stallion has a song with Beyonce. And what is it called again?
Wasn't it the remix to Savage?
Yeah, it was Savage. And that became a trending song. So that became now the reference of women being ruthless and just unapologetic. So when you have songs that are about sexually explicit body parts, and then you have songs about attitude, and then you have songs about behaviors. It's all symbolic to me for societal influences, to start pushing boundaries and to create concepts that have already been used, but giving it now specific names, and also allowing people to revisit what they're used to with just having new or updated terminology.
Cool. Cool. Cool. Cool. Cool. Let me ask now...
Can I actually add in there? Think about Three 6 Mafia with Slob On My Knob? That was all about oral sex. Every generation, like I said... Not even dated, but just it takes the right artists to promote the thought provoking themes. And having it as a catchy catchy, type of song.
Just like It Ain't No Fun with Snoop and the Dogg Pound.
Exactly. And then you had Lil Wayne with Lollipop. It's all about the metaphor and how you can use it. and WAP as 3 letter word is cool, but then we know the abbreviated form of it is. I mean, I have a song called Suck A Nigga’s Dick and there was no need to put any abbreviations because it was unfiltered rap. All my music had very explicit titles. I had two mixtapes and I didn't really fall short on having a very overt, aggressive title.
True. When did you come to recognize your sexual power?
Very young. I knew it from like, probably early teenagers.
Early teenagers.
And it's unfortunate, because usually, sexuality is like 18 plus, but I mean, for some of us that are gifted a little bit earlier, were exposed based on different influences and things that happened to us. And once you identify it, it makes you a little bit more able to control
Yeah, most definitely. Most definitely. I think so. All right. How does your position in entertainment with your brand and everything, how does that affect you romantically?
I've always dated. And I feel that the energy I bring as a performer and entertainer doesn't usually get matched with the person I ended up dating. Because I have a very hyper sexual brand and hypersexual personality and a hyper sexual reality. A lot of the people that I tend to attract are more subtle, and it doesn't always match me, which kind of creates problems, because I don't know if it's better or worse, but I just know that I'm never matched with the energy I bring forth in that area.
Do you find yourself attracted to a lesser...
No, I don't. It's funny how people come into the situation. And it's usually through a commonality of media and entertainment. So it just so happens to be the situation where the experience comes in, through networking and being in the same kind of industry, but just at different points of the spectrum.
All right. Let's see. Let's talk about your progression. Because you went from, again...
Poetry first. Because I started doing poetry from 2012. And I did poetry videos on YouTube. I was doing interviews with people. I was trying to get more of a cultural side, because I'm Ghanaian and Jamaican. And so for me at that point, I was still experimenting with culture and diversity and kind of being on the safe side, like not treading over completely into the explicit side. But I did have provocative poetry. So there was areas where I was starting to dibble and dabble. And then I just said, fuck this. People weren't really trying to pay me or really respect when I was trying to come professional and very reserved. So I just kind of gave in to the other side and just said, let me just bring it out. They want it anyways. And they're obviously seeking it. So let me just put in people's faces and see how they like the Alizae side.
So that's what brought you into Hip Hop.
Yeah, because I went with the poetry side, being empowered, being a feminist and being for women's rights and empowerment. But I found that I was still struggling in those areas, with people dealing with me on a respect level. So if I now turn up a notch and go into my control side of being more sexually explicit and more dominating and more confident and that area. It became something where I just did what I can do and control the ball and shoot.
I'm pretty sure you were approached by Oasis, based off of the content that you were providing.
I did a lot of outreach in the beginning. So because of the brand that I have, I tried to attract certain industries that were of sexual nature to me. Not just limited to Oasis, but I've also went to sex stores, sex shops, people with businesses, dominatrix, people that are into BDSM, and stuff. So getting those type of sponsorships or even trying to make those affiliations so that it becomes relevant to my brand to have people in the community of sexuality be exposed to the business side, networking, places where they can go. And just making sure that I have a hub of entertainment around me for personal reasons, but also for public accessibility.
Okay, okay. All right. What made you interested in being a podcast host?
Um, well, with We Love Hip Hop Network, I had reached out and tried to see if they were open to new ideas. And for me, I always wanted to do a talk show or be on radio and things like that. So the idea was brought to me to consider podcasting. And I didn't really podcast prior to that. That wasn't my thing. I'm a good speaker. I mean, I've done public events and stuff like that. But podcasting is something that I haven't done on a committed basis. I've done tons of interviews and I've interviewed as well. So it was something that was different and I thought it could work. So the ideas of concepts came together and Zae Link is based off of my name, Allizae. So it's me being the link and the connection. I originally wanted like a phone sex. type of environment where I would almost replace the late night sex show and then have people call in and have sex talk or whatever. That is my goal. Kind of what I want to do, but I had to say that there is the opportunity for podcasting. Let me try it out for a bit and see how that goes. So it's still brand related with sexuality. And for public purposes of YouTube and Instagram, things have to be censored to a degree. But other than that, I still think it worked. Yeah. And I had a lot of good guests, and I think it's as close to my brand as possible.
I've seen it. Yeah. You stay on brand. So the goal now is to do the Late Night Sex Show?
Yeah, it's something that's in the vault. I mean, putting it out there is a whole nother thing, because it's about production. I don't like to do things that are just impulsive and just bootleg that without a proper structure or a team. So the brainstorming is in the process, but I don't know, I'm keeping my options open.
All right. You ever thought about even holding down a Strawberry letter? Sort of like what Steve Harvey does, where people will write to you about their problem or issues.
People send DMs and emails.
They do?
Yeah. And that's why I wanted to come back on the scene, because I took a little break off like YouTube, and just my regular channel, because my youtube channel is where most people know me from, with my tutorials and all that. But I had to try to make some adjustments because of content purposes and community guidelines. So I had to move everything over to my OnlyFans. And keep that there. But people come to me all the time. And that's why I wanted to make myself available in the social media space to allow people to ask questions, and that's what you know, is done on Zae Link. But people still try to get personal or try to express themselves to me and want advice or want to just have discussion, and I want to be that person to answer back and have communication and also have something monetary that comes out of it.
Alright, um, I want to talk about maybe some of the criticism you may have experienced, let's say in the beginning, because of the type of content that you provide. What was your response to that then and what is your response to it now?
Not a lot of criticism. I mean, there's haters. When I started podcasting, there was a troll who was trying to really be insulting on every single post that was going up. And even if it wasn't relevant to me, they were still hating and just saying some stuff and derogatory things, but I'm used to it. With women, there's always going to be slut shaming, there's always going to be things that once you tie yourself to sexuality or sex, you're labeled. So I'm already aware of that. So I use it to empower myself instead of looking at it as a negative because there's money to be made, really, and I already understand how to capitalize on this as a commodity. So it doesn't affect me. If you're going to talk shit, or you're going to dislike me, you're going to pay me at one point. That's really how it works. (laughter)
(laughter) Cool. Cool. So how would you describe your support system?
It's good when I'm mentally motivated, and 100% passionate. But it's not great when I don't feel motivated, and I don't feel passionate about my craft. When influences start to deteriorate that energy that I have. And that could affect me emotionally on a personal level. Because usually when you have things that are in your personal life that are not good, it affects your professional life, and your entertainment life. And those things start to show and come through when you least expect it or when you don't want it to. But I'm a human being and like emotions are something that women like myself have a lot of, and at the same time, it's a strength but it can also be a vulnerability.
What is a misconception people have about you?
A lot of people think that I'm literally on the corner sucking dick every day. I'm not. I do entertainment and I've done tutorials. I have videos out there. It's no secret, but I still have a regular life, which I keep very private, and I'm able to separate. So when I'm performing, or I'm online, that's who I want you to see. And that's what you want from me. But if you were to see my real life or my personal life, it's not relevant. That's why I don't really show a lot of my personal life in regards to family, on my social media, because that doesn't do anything for me. I'm just not that girl.
What would you like people to know about you, if they don't already know?
That I'm naturally a shy person. (laughter)
(laughter)
I'm a human being. I have emotions. If I get cut, I bleed red. People have to understand that when you're entertaining, or performing, there are switches. You could turn things on and turn things off. You can detach, I can put my phone down and not go on social media, and therefore I don't want to have online wars and beefs with people, because it's so simple, you just detach. You have to learn how to be able to put it down sometimes or step away. And most people can't.
People are addicted to clout. What is the legacy you want to leave?
I want to leave a legacy of people feeling like they can challenge the stereotypes given to them and embracing it. And as a woman, you're allowed to be everything. You don't have to just be one way. Do whatever you want. Like you can have different things happen at different stages, you can be self employed, you can work a job, you can not work a job. It's okay, whatever stage you're at. As long as you can bounce back or get back to that creative passion that's inside. Especially if you're a creator, you always have to get back to that because you'll get into depression, and it will last as long as you sometimes are situated. And once you get back to that area of strength, or you get back to that creative beast that's within, that will allow you to be recharged and re-empower yourself again.
Nice, nice. If you were to meet a young Allizae, what advice would you give her?
Try not to date the help.
(laughter)
Just try. Sometimes you're just so ambitious, you don't even see it coming and then people just find a way to weasel into your life. But just try not to date the help because you need to get ahead in life. You need to do things, people will come your way and direction and have good intentions but they will also try to hit your vulnerable areas and that is where you are most weak when you are vulnerable. So I would say try your best not to date the help and if need be, don't date at all. You're more in charge and more empowered when you're by yourself or when you're independent.
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