Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alize’ Evans. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alize’, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
Since the beginning of junior high school, I have been musically inclined. I used to only make music for fun and expression, as time evolved I didn’t realize that I could be so much more and even make a living out of something I love doing. I remember a new upcoming female artist that spoke about the music business and how there’s a business to everything and to be successful in music, you would have to be successful in the business. Also pairing with my creative talent in music, I started to realizing that people took to me more than I knew. That people not only liked my music, and would ask to record with me and asked me to record on their tracks, but people also liked me as a person and the way I dressed, spoke, and my hair. I then knew that I had exactly what it took to be an artist. Fast forward to now just looking back. I see my growth very vividly and I appreciate the process that it took to get me here now and I look forward to the process I’m in now for my future.
Alize’, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Phanci, I am 27 years old, and I am a mother, artist and influencer. I come from a tough city in North Carolina called Durham also known as bull city. I am born and raised here but I often travel to different locations for different bookings and events. I write and perform hip-hop music. I have been doing music since a young kid. I started writing in a journal to express myself with the difficulties I experienced as a child. I then began poetry, and seeing how I could move the crowd with my words, I began to get more into writing and rapping throughout high school. I joined rap groups with guys. My name was first lady zae’. I was the only girl of a all boy rap group. At that time I learned a little about softwares and mixing. Shortly after, I suffered from a traumatic event at the age of 16. It taught me a lot about life as well as allowing me to really use music as a way to express myself for the things that I was experiencing. January 25, 2011 I experience two gunshot wounds in both legs and couldn’t walk for two weeks. In the mist of trying to get my health back to standard. Music definitely became a staple for me at times like that in my life. Three months after my traumatic event, I found out that I was pregnant. While being 16 years old, pregnant and only a junior in high school, I didn’t think things could get worse. Shortly, after finding out I was pregnant my family was forced to move because the violence on my street was getting so much worse. My mom didn’t wanna risk the chance of staying because I’ve already gotten shot, and she didn’t want to risk any of her other children being harmed. My mom left with no where to go and we stayed with different friends and family for a couple of months. While just getting shot and being diagnosed with PTSD, pregnant, and homeless. I still found a way to finish school at the age of 17 it was a huge accomplishment for me.
at that moment I taught myself so much about myself, and in my city I see so many females going through similar obstacles, but not necessarily making it as far and I know that things could be hard, but I’m here to motivate, educate, and build confidence for the younger females going through things that I experienced as a younger female myself. That experience alone is the message behind my music and influence.
As I became an adult I evolved in music and began to purchase my own software, mic and macbook. That was my first investment into my musical career. I have two singles on all platforms that I produced, mixed and mastered myself.. In the mist of being an artist, and having a character attached to my music, I then began to relish in my own style. My experiences make up for my character, my style and everything that everyone loves about me.
Today I am known for my style, my personality and my confidence. I have created a brand for myself that I have began to receive payment for. Although I have so much more work to do and so much more money to make I am happy and proud to start the accomplishments that I have now..
How did you build your audience on social media?
Building my audience on social media has been a journey. It has been nothing less of persistence and authenticity. For over 10 years now I have been persistent in who I am as a person. Of course I have grown and evolved and as I’m getting older and able to understand my audience, my niche and my direction. I see what works for me. Earlier this year I participated in a challenge on Instagram. Before I participated I had so many followers asking me to do the challenge. After doing the challenge, I thought nothing of it and then I went viral with about 2 million views. At this time my mind was blown, I went from 12,000 followers to 38,000 followers in a couple of days. This opened up so many doors for me and also gave me the confidence that I needed to trust that who I am is working, and to trust the process. the advice that I can give for anyone that’s starting to build their social media presence is to stay persistent, ride the waves but stay true to who you are, stay active and post every day.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative and as well as an artist is that I get appreciation and payment for totally being myself. I already have a hard time forcing myself to do things that I don’t find appeasing, so just being able to be loved for who I am as a person, and not having to sway my opinions or feedback for anyone is already a dream come true. I am literally excited to evolve and grow and influence many more young women, to be confident, intelligent, and strong.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toophanci/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/?refsrc=deprecated&_rdr#!/alize.evans.10
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/TooPhanci
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC5OImDL1Ialxwm0H-Le9yMw
- Other: http://www.tiktok.com/@toophancii https://www.amazon.com/shop/toophanci