By Nancy Guan and Yuwei “Ria” Xi
When Elizah was two years old, she moved from her home in Texas to Los Angeles, California. She remembers being with her twin brother Eli and the colorful balloons that welcomed them to their new home. Now, after fifteen years in the foster care system, Elizah is focusing her passions on music.
“When I rap, it gives me an opportunity to express myself and how I feel,” says Elizah, “I basically write my music like anytime I go outside […] my room, car, doesn’t really matter.”
Although a person of very few words, Elizah’s lyrics tell a story of a young woman wanting to succeed in spite of hardships. “My pockets was empty of change, I really be out here making a change,” says one of her lines.
They also tell tales of teenage heartbreak, friendships and family. “This is my only way out, just tryna make mama proud, even though I haven’t seen her in a while.” Music is where she finds her voice.
Between school and home, Elizah often attends events hosted by Peace4Kids, a non-profit organization that provides programs and services for youth in foster care. Elizah has been part of the Peace4Kids community ever since she could remember. There, she can be seen dribbling a basketball, mingling with friends and occasionally tending to the whims of younger kids.
Through Peace4Kids, Elizah is able to take a few steps closer to her dream of becoming a rapper. In conjunction with Future Youth Records, a non-profit record label with an aim to help youth, Elizah is set to produce her own EP next year.
“I’m very very excited to put my music out,” she says, “I just want people to know they can follow their dreams.”
