Zay Boogie: Philadelphia’s “Different Type” Rising From Pressure

At just 23 years old, Zay Boogie is carving her name into the soundscape of Philadelphia with a presence that feels bigger than the city limits. Born Tyzahe (pronounced Ty’zay), the Northeast Philly native turned a childhood nickname into a brand that now carries weight. “Zay” was already her name in the streets, but when a close friend compared her to Ace Boogie from Paid in Full, the name Zay Boogie stuck — and the energy behind it never left.

But this story isn’t about a nickname. It’s about transformation.

Zay Boogie began taking her craft seriously in 2022–2023, during one of the most pivotal and painful moments of her life — after one of his closest friends was incarcerated. While dealing with her own legal battles, including fighting an attempted case for years, time spent in jail, and months on house arrest, she made a decision: music wouldn’t just be a hobby. It would be her therapy, her escape, and ultimately her investment.

Inspired by her brother’s relentless belief in her and her own self-awareness, Zay realized her talent wasn’t regular — it was rare. Not just musically, but personally. Her character, her resilience, and how she carries herself separate her from the crowd. She describes sound, brand, and style in two words: “Different Type.” In her own words, “IM RARE.”

Influenced by artists like A Boogie wit da Hoodie — not just for the music, but for the authenticity — Zay Boogie moves with a 100% real mentality. It’s not about gimmicks. It’s about presence. Energy. Truth. She believes you have to be around her to fully understand it. The music speaks, but the aura confirms it.

And the numbers are already backing it up.

Every record she’s released has crossed over 10K streams. Her single “Loyalty” reached over 85K views, with multiple releases pushing past the 10K mark or right on the edge. She’s burned down stages, caught the attention of A&Rs and established artists, and steadily built momentum — all while navigating court dates and staying solid for her incarcerated brother, who also manages her.

For Zay, this isn’t just music. It’s strategy.

“Music is 25%. Business is 75%.” That’s the message she stands on. She wants upcoming artists to understand that talent alone isn’t enough — you have to stack your paper, learn the business, and treat your career like an investment.

Currently, Zay Boogie is working on new singles and an upcoming EP, though he’s keeping the title under wraps for now. What fans can expect this year? More visibility. More engagement. More Zay. And of course, more heat.

Looking ahead, she has his sights set on collaborations with Lil Tecca, Tory Lanez, Drake, and of course, A Boogie himself — artists who blend melody, hunger, and star power the way she intends to.

Through adversity, courtrooms, and chaos, Zay Boogie found clarity. The moment she truly heard herself and said, “Yeah… you different,” was the moment everything shifted.

When it’s all said and done, she doesn’t just want to be remembered as a rapper.

she wants to be remembered as a creator — someone who made magic happen.

And if her trajectory continues the way it’s going, Philadelphia won’t be the only place saying her name.