By Tammy Reese
Zaya Lee is more than a rapper and actor — he’s a trailblazer reshaping the hip-hop landscape while breaking down barriers for LGBTQ+ representation in music. Hailing from Syracuse, New York, Zaya’s love for the arts was sparked by a dedicated elementary school music teacher, setting him on a journey that led him to Las Vegas in 2018 for the prestigious International Presentation of Performers, where he took home four medals in acting. Now, as an independent artist since 2020, he’s driven not only by his passion for music but also by a mission to create space for LGBTQ+ voices in hip-hop. Recently performing alongside RuPaul’s Drag Race star Kasha Davis, Zaya is a rising force, committed to showing the world that authenticity and talent are powerful enough to overcome any boundary.
If someone were to ask you who Zaya Lee is, what would your reply be?
If someone was to ask me who Zay Lee is, I would say Zay is like an onion [he giggles] real ones will get the Shrek reference. Layers. A complex person. There’s plenty of different sides to me to experience and until you’ve seen all sides of me don’t pass judgment.
You’ve been involved in both music and acting from a young age. What keeps you motivated to pursue your career and conquer your goals?
How I stay motivated is really just the love of art and just being a true artist at heart. Loving to create and just having a certain outlook on life, the world and how I interpret things. What I can make from them and how I can convey my thoughts and my feelings and my experiences. Through one medium or another for people to understand and maybe they can relate as well.
In 2018, you took home four medals at the International Presentation of Performers in Las Vegas. Congratulations! What was that experience like, and how did it impact your journey as a performer?
Oh my goodness IPOP was the best experience ever! I mean I still hold that very near to my heart to this day. To meet people from all over the world and we’re all there for the same thing and just for us all to come together and just to watch everyone just be successful and reach our goals. It was just amazing! We stayed in Las Vegas at the M Resort which is a beautiful hotel. It was amazing, absolutely amazing!
I got to work with the fantastic Kimberly Jensen. She was great. She said some really wise and kind words that I’ll never forget and I still keep in touch with a lot of people from iPOP LA. It was great! It shaped me as a performer because you never know what’s going to happen so you just have to roll with the punches.
What is a super fun fact about yourself that many people are not aware of?
I’d say a super fun fact about me that a lot of people probably wouldn’t know unless you’ve known me since back then would be that I was a really good track athlete back in school. I took 16th in the state meet for the triple jump. I jumped 44 feet and 4 inches I believe.
What is a quote that you live by?
A quote that I live by would be by my favorite artist ever Madonna from her song human nature, which would be “I’m not your bitch. Don’t hang your shit on me” with that being said, you know how you feel about me, it’s not my business and that’s a reflection of yourself and your own insecurities and whatever issues you have within yourself, don’t put them on me. I’m not ashamed of who I am or what I do. If you don’t like what you see when you see me, you can poke your eyes out for all I care. I’m here to be me.
What else is vital for our readers to know about you?
That I’m here to stay and I’m only on the up and up from here. So love me or hate me. I’m not going anywhere.
As you look toward your future, what can your supporters expect from you?
You can expect to see me everywhere! Your radio, your billboards, your TV screen, magazines, everywhere. I’m ready to take over.
Where can fans follow your journey and stay updated on your latest music and performances?
The fans can always follow me @_zayalee_ on Instagram and Zaya Lee on Spotify and YouTube.
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TAMMY REESE
Tammy Reese began her career as a theater actress performing in 60 live stage shows a year with The Media Unit TV and Stage Production Company. She also directed the weekly live TV show Rough Times Live.
Eventually, she went to Empire State College to obtain her degree in media studies. After graduation, she did more theater and wrote and produced her own videos to spread awareness on social issues through the arts.
Tammy is an award-winning journalist and is best known for her legendary interviews with Angela Bassett, Sigourney Weaver, Jennifer Connelly, Laurence Fishburne, Phylicia Rashad, Ginuwine, Neyo, Sharon Stone, Jasmine Guy, Geena Davis, Billy Porter, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Steven Yeun, Norman Reedus, Melissa McBride, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Lauren Cohan, Giancarlo Esposito, Donell Jones, Morris Chestnut, Vivica A. Fox, Omar Epps, Joseph Sikora, Ryan Coogler, Carmen Electra, Tom Arnold, Theo Rossi and many more.
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