Today, October 28th, we celebrate the birthday of one of the most prominent names in the Mozambican hip-hop scene, Lay Lizzy. Born Edson Abel Jeremias Tchamo in Maputo, Lay Lizzy is an iconic figure who has significantly contributed to the transformation of hip-hop in Mozambique and beyond its borders.
Lay Lizzy emerged at a time when hip-hop was often stigmatized and considered music for outcasts, thugs, and criminals. However, he challenged these perceptions and, at the age of 14, along with Ell Puto, founded the music group "360 degrees." This movement revolutionized how people viewed hip-hop in the country. Lay Lizzy's music began to be played on the radio, and his shows were packed in Mozambique, causing his name to spread to Portuguese-speaking countries and around the world.
In 2010, Lay Lizzy released his first solo mixtape titled “Dinheiro Limpo” (Clean Money), which became a huge success and influenced the music scene in Mozambique. He was one of the pioneers in introducing mixtape culture to the country. Until 2011, Lay Lizzy rapped in Portuguese mixed with English, which made him distinctive in Mozambique. However, he dared once again by releasing his first mixtape entirely in English, “Unsigned,” which featured hits like “Moz we on” with a special appearance by rapper Simba, and the hit “Homicide,” which became one of the most played videos on national television.
In 2012, Lay Lizzy continued to expand his horizons after interacting with major African and international artists. He released the mixtape “Artistic” and, in the same year, released another mixtape titled “Intelligent Ignorance”.
2015 marked a significant moment in his career when Lay Lizzy signed with Geobek Records and released the hit “Tha Crew.” In addition, he won the Best Hip-Hop Song award at the Mozambique Music Awards.
In 2016, Lay Lizzy took another step towards international fame. She participated in several interviews on South African TV and radio channels and released the song "Hello" alongside rapper AKA. In addition, she signed a contract with Nike and gained prominence on CNN Africa.
Today, we celebrate not only Lay Lizzy's birthday, but also his incredible journey in the world of hip-hop. His talent, innovation, and commitment to music have made him a true legend in Mozambique and beyond. We wish Lay Lizzy a happy birthday and eagerly anticipate more exciting music and achievements in his brilliant career.
