At just 11 years old Annalise Esther Azeez is already putting in the work to make her dream to be a famous rapper come true.
Going by the stage name Rap Anna, the singer told Newsday Kids, when asked to describe herself, “I’m full of ambition and I am on a mission” in an interview on the launch of her first music video on YouTube.
The lyrics of her debut single Unstoppable reflects her determination and desire to achieve all her goals.
[caption id="attachment_911172" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Rap Anna's video Unstoppable debuted on July 23. -[/caption]
Through her music, she wants to inspire an entire generation to also be great.
The music video premiered on July 23 and has since attracted over 5,700 views. The song is a reminder to all children that it is cool to work hard at school and with some determination they can become anything they dream of.
Annalise also encouraged young people to have a positive mindset, ignore negativity and always keep trying.
She only discovered this talent in her free time during the pandemic.
“I describe my style of rapping as hip-hop rapping. I always liked rap music. In my first attempt to rap I was featured in the song Beautiful Guyana with my dad and soon after we entered the 2021 National Chutney Monarch competition in Guyana. It was then after I realised, I wanted to continue my rapping career.”
[caption id="attachment_911170" align="alignnone" width="683"] Annalise Esther Azeez, whose stage name is Rap Anna, dreams not only of being an international rap star but wants to be a chef as well. -[/caption]
Annalise was born in Trinidad and currently lives with her parents, brother and sister in Guyana. Her father, Anil Azeez, is a popular chutney gospel artiste there.
“My journey as a rapper so far has been awesome. I started rapping at the age of ten. Being in school and following my rap career I’m pretty busy but I schedule a time to practise my performances.
“I would say about 20 per cent of my time goes into rapping. Every day I schedule myself to make my routine flexible so that I can practise my raps and write my songs without taking away time from my studies; work hard stay focus.”
At school, she said, she portrays “the heart of a champion.”
“I’m funny, a bit tough, but cool like lemonade.”
Annalise has a big personality and many goals, one of which includes working alongside Trinidad-born US-based rapper Nicki Minaj.
“If I had one wish it would be to do a collaboration with Nicki Minaj. I would be honoured to meet her in real life. I would be so excited if this opportunity arises because of our similarities in us both being born Trinidadians and we’re in the rapping field of the music industry.”
[caption id="attachment_911174" align="alignnone" width="683"] In her so