Zae Zacarias, who goes by her artist name Zae, raps about repping the Morenas and writes about the struggles of Filipino women. 

Her songs, which she has been independently releasing on online platforms since 2019, have caught the attention of Hollywood music supervisors.

On her Instagram, Zae posted her reaction while watching a scene in the Netflix hit series “The Gentlemen” when it premiered on March 7.

In it, Tagalog lyrics can be heard as her music plays.

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“I was like: ‘The Gentlemen’ for real?” the artist recalled. “I was just waiting for the confirmation because it’s a big deal, a huge opportunity for Filipino music to be featured in an international show.”

But, as the 23-year-old Caloocan rapper explained, Zae’s Hollywood adventure is just a fun cherry on top of her rapidly flourishing career.

She writes and performs to express her perspective as a young Filipina who owns her power, generational trauma, gender inequality, and patriarchal barriers notwithstanding.

“I really wanted to make a statement piece about women empowerment,” Zae said. “There aren’t a lot of female rappers in the Philippines right now, and there has to be someone who says something about it.”

She added: “I wanted to write about women in a way that the song would show how strong, hardworking we are. My mom is also my inspiration. She’s the [most] hard-working person I know.”

Zae's mother — whom she calls Mama Vi — works as a teacher, and she raised the rapper and her sister single-handedly.

The artist started in the industry as a dancer. So for her music videos, apart from being the talent and producer, she also serves as a choreographer.

It was through online platforms like YouTube and Spotify that Zae’s music was first discovered by Hollywood music supervisors.

“The Cleaning Lady” was the first U.S. TV series that used Zae’s music.

Asked about the challenges, she said it involves being a one-woman show. 

“I don’t have a marketing team,” said Zae. “Also, I’m self-produced. Of course, in art, you also need to make money to make art. I’m able to save some from my hits, but I shoulder all the expenses to create art, and the gigs as a freelancer are not stable.”

“So, I’m mainly just risking it all for a dream that only I can see,” Zae added. “I've talked to a lot of labels and distributors. I'm just really waiting for the right time and the right deal to come because I know my worth. I'm a rising star for now, I'm on the come-up, but I know the value that artists bring.”

Zae’s musical influences include Beyoncé and Megan Thee Stallion. She is also currently working on her EP to be released this year.