No limits: How Zae is shattering stereotypes in Pinoy Rap
Zae is demonstrating that there are no limits to her grind, confirming herself as one of the most explosive young voices in rap
ZAE
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF SPOTIFY
Daily TribuneZae is demonstrating that there are no limits to her grind, confirming herself as one of the most explosive young voices in rap
ZAE
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF SPOTIFY
Zae is the Filipina rapper taking over your FYP with pure swag.
If you went through TikTok in 2022, you could have caught yourself vibing to the addictive lyric “’Lam mo nang lamon” and mistaking it for a US rap single.
But that viral bar belongs to Zae Zacarias, or just Zae, a Filipina rapper who is breaking down barriers in the male-dominated Pinoy hip-hop scene.
And just when you thought she couldn’t get any bigger, Zae’s bars took the world by storm by blaring in Tagalog on Netflix’s The Gentlemen.
Repping Quezon City, she’s been making serious waves with viral anthems like “Serve” and “Edi Wag.” With her current banger, “Subomoto” featuring Hev Abi, and being on Spotify’s RADAR 2025, Zae is demonstrating that there are no limits to her grind, confirming herself as one of the most explosive young voices in rap.
Like many rap legends, Zae began with nothing but raw skill, a dream, and a social media account. She would hunt for free beats on YouTube, rap over them, and then upload them online for fun. But what began as a hobby gradually grew into something more.
When Zae first entered the rap industry in 2019, she observed a trend: mainstream Pinoy hip-hop was predominantly male.
“I was searching for female rappers in the Philippines, and I barely saw anyone blowing up,” she told DAILY TRIBUNE.
Instead of letting that reality discourage her, she saw an opportunity. “I felt like we could do something about this. So, I decided to pursue rap. I love music, and I love bad poetry — it all blended into hip-hop.”
The hip-hop industry wasn’t exactly rolling out the red carpet for her. “I couldn’t line up with the girls during hip-hop events,” she admits. But instead of shrinking, she leveled up.
“I upgraded my angas to match the swag. As women, we already have it — we just need representation. I grinded the same way the guys did.”
Now? She’s proving that Filipina rappers belong in the conversation. “We’re still a minority in the hip-hop scene, but that just means we need more support. What we bring to the table — the flow, the style, the storytelling — it’s different.”
And about that outdated Maria Clara stereotype? Zae is flipping the script. “People used to think Filipino women were just demure and modest. But in hip-hop? We’re strong. We’re fierce.”
Her rap style? Unapologetically unique. “I mix masculine and feminine energy into what I do.”
Zae’s verses touch on everything from self-empowerment to breaking generational trauma, all while riding beats with a smooth-yet-sharp flow. “I switch up my melodic flow when I go hard. Filipino words are beautiful to rap. There’s a natural kanto to them.”
Inspired by rap queens such as Nicki Minaj, Megan Thee Stallion, and Beyoncé, she is working to ensure that Filipina artists have a place in the industry.
Zae’s message for aspiring female rappers: “Tap into your femininity. It’s powerful. Stay true to your voice and don’t get lost in the sounds around you.” Oh, and one more thing: “Find a good lawyer if you’re getting into the music industry.”
At the end of the day, Zae measures success not just in streams or fame, but in impact. “If I can deliver my message and inspire even one person, that’s already a win.”
Now, with “Baddest M.F.” — a track she wrote when she was still hustling — becoming her reality, she’s living proof that manifestation works when backed with hard work.
And as she continues to carve her space in the game, one thing’s for sure: Zae is shattering stereotypes in Pinoy Rap.