From the moment I could make sense of the world, music was my anchor. My name is Chy’Ana Lee — but that’s not the name I was born with. I was adopted at around three years old after being born into a life shaped by struggle. My biological mother was a drug addict. A judge gave her time to get clean while she was pregnant with me, but when she didn’t, I entered the foster care system. From the very beginning, I was labeled — a “crack baby,” a child without a future. That label stayed in the air longer than my name. But I’ve always known that I was meant for more. Despite my painful beginnings, I found my light through music. I’ve been singing since I could speak, and I’ve been playing guitar for over 11 years. Music has always been more than just a passion — it’s been my lifeline, my therapy, and my way of understanding the world. I’ve always felt deeply connected to sound and lyrics, and even as a child, I knew this gift had purpose. That purpose has grown into a calling: I want to pursue a degree in music because it’s more than just what I love — it’s who I am. My goal is to use my voice, my lyrics, and my story to heal myself and help heal others. Music is how I process emotion, confront truth, and find meaning. I believe it can do the same for others, especially those who have faced adversity like I have. Many are surprised when I say I’m a rapper. I don’t fit the stereotype — I’m not chasing fame, clout, or a spotlight. I look up to artists like 2Pac, Biggie, and Lauryn hill — storytellers who weren't afraid to expose pain, speak truth, and challenge the world. My music is clean, raw, and focused on themes like mental health, divine balance in femininity and masculinity, and social justice. I write about things that make people uncomfortable — because those are often the things that matter most. I live by something I call “GAME” — Guidance Above My Emotions. It’s how I stay grounded in truth while still honoring how I feel. It took me 17 years to understand that my gift wasn’t just talent — it was responsibility. I’ve been given this voice and perspective for a reason, and now I know how to use them. Earning a degree will help me refine my craft, deepen my understanding of music theory and production, and give me the tools to turn my passion into a lifelong career. I often ask myself where I would be if I hadn’t been adopted — if I hadn’t been given a second chance. Would I have followed the same path of addiction that destroyed my mother? Would I have even found my gift? These thoughts stay with me, but they also fuel me. They remind me that I’m not just surviving — I’m creating, I’m growing, and I’m giving back. I am proud of how far I’ve come, not because it was easy, but because it was never supposed to be. I am a Black woman, raised in a system that didn’t expect me to succeed — and yet here I am. I’ve found my purpose. I want to pursue a degree in music because I know, without a doubt, that this is what I was born to do: tell the truth, make healing sound beautiful, and give others the courage to find their own voice.

My name is Chy’Ana Lee I was adopted around the age of three. My biological mother was a drug addict, and I have three biological siblings. When she was pregnant with me, a judge gave her a chance to get clean. If she didn’t, I’d be placed in the foster system. She didn’t. So yes, I am a product of the system When I was born, they called me a “crack baby.” No one had hope for me — not even before I took my first breath. That alone says a lot about humanity, and how quickly people give up on others. Despite that, and despite a few mental health struggles, I’ve come out with a clean record and a strong sense of self. But I’m not telling you this to make you feel sorry. My story has purpose. It may upset you or make your blood boil, but it’s real — and it shaped who I am today. My name is Chy’Ana, but I am more than that. I am an artist. Music is my sanctuary. I’ve been singing all my life and playing guitar for 11 years. Most people don’t expect someone like me — a young Black woman — to say she’s a rapper. Society expects me to fit a mold, but I don’t. I don’t follow the mainstream. I’m not trying to be the next Cardi B or City Girls. I’m inspired by 2Pac, Biggie, Eminem — the lyricists, the truth-tellers. When people hear “female rapper,” they think of explicit content. That’s not me. I use my gift to speak on divine femininity and masculinity, mental health, social and racial injustice — the topics that make people uncomfortable. The truth is ugly, but it deserves to be heard. I believe in accountability, in facing your own wrongs and understanding the emotions behind every choice — mine or someone else’s. I call it “GAME”: Guidance Above My Emotions. It took me 17 years to understand my purpose, and now that I do, I just want to educate, inspire, and uplift. If I hadn’t been adopted, I often wonder where I’d be. Would I even be making music? Or would I have followed the same destructive path? I’m proud of who I’ve become — because I am more than what they said I would be. I am a Black kid in America, and I found my gift.

My name is Chy’Ana Lee, but that wasn’t always my name. I was adopted around the age of three, and much of my early identity is unknown to me. What I do know is that I was born into circumstances that many would consider hopeless. My biological mother struggled with addiction, and the court gave her a limited window to turn her life around while she was pregnant with me. When she couldn’t, I was placed into the foster care system—a system that, unfortunately, defined the earliest chapters of my life. At birth, I was labeled a “crack baby,” and before I could take my first breath, others had already written my story for me. That label, that lack of faith in my potential, speaks volumes about the judgments society places on children born into difficult circumstances. But despite what was expected of me, I’ve come out the other side stronger—with a clean record, resilience, and a deep understanding of who I am. I don’t share my story to seek pity. I share it to show that your beginnings do not define your ending. Music saved me. It became my sanctuary, my outlet, and my identity. I’ve been singing since I was a child and playing guitar for over 11 years. I’m also a rapper—a title that often surprises people because I don’t fit the mold they expect. I don’t conform to industry trends or the hypersexualized image commonly associated with female rappers today. My influences come from the golden age of hip-hop: artists like Tupac, Biggie, Eminem, and the legendary emcees of the ‘90s. My music explores themes like mental health, divine balance in masculinity and femininity, and racial and social injustice. My lyrical content is intentionally clean and honest. I believe in accountability—acknowledging not only our own flaws but also the truths we’re often too afraid to face. I call it “G.A.M.E.”: Guidance Above My Emotions. That philosophy has guided me in understanding the power of my voice and the responsibility that comes with it. It took me 17 years to fully recognize my gift, and now that I have, I want to use it to inspire others. I often ask myself where I’d be if I hadn’t been adopted—would I still be making music? Would I have fallen into the same cycle my mother couldn’t escape? These thoughts fuel my drive and remind me of how far I’ve come. I’m proud to say I’ve become more than what was expected of me. I am a young Black woman in America who is rewriting her narrative. Through music, I’ve found purpose. After college, I plan to continue traveling, performing, and spreading messages of healing, empowerment, and community upliftment. I want to show others—especially those born into systems like mine—that their voices matter. That their dreams are valid. And that through self-expression and service, there truly are no limits to what we can become

My name is Chy’Ana Lee but that is not my name. I don't know what it was or how it was spelt before but I was adopted around 3 years old. My biological mom was a drug addict. I have 3 biological siblings. The judge gave her time to get clean while she was pregnant with me and if she wasn’t by the time I was born they would put me in the foster system. So yes I am a product of the system. When I was born they called me a crack baby. No one had hope for me before I was even born, that says alot about humanity and what happened to faith seriously. With a clean record and a couple of mental health issues, besides that I think I came out pretty decent. I'm not writing this to tell you a sad story, my story actually has meaning behind it, it may make your blood boil with how unfair and unfortunate the events i had to deal with came at me. But let me restate. My name is Chy’Ana but I am actually an artist. Music is my outlet. I am blessed to say I have a gift I can run to for comfort. I have been singing my entire life and playing guitar for 11 years. Besides the obvious, many look at me differently when I tell them I'm a rapper. It's not usually what you want to hear from a young beautiful girl who is supposed to stick with society's standards of success. I'm sure we know nicki minaj, Cardi B, City Girls etc. but that's not my style. I aim more towards inspiration from great artist such as 2pac, biggie, Eminem, The top rap groups and Emcees of the 90s. When you hear female rapper you immediately think the music of today, sexual and explicit. I am grateful to have a gift where I can express myself lyrically while being clean. My concepts consist of divine comfort in femininity and masculinity, mental health, black and social injustices. I like to point out the things that make others uncomfortable,the truth is ugly and lies are beautiful. I believe in accountability and acknowledging everything for example, your wrongs, the world, how to handle a situation , and how someone else handles a situation. I call it “GAME” , guidance above my emotions. It took me 17 years to finally understand what my gift was and how to hone it and now that I hold a lot of power because of my knowledge, all I want to do is inspire and educate. If I weren't adopted I ask myself alot where I would be. Truly it is a constant question in my daily thoughts, would I be making music,would I have gone down another path of bad choices , or would I have followed the path of addiction. I'm proud of myself because I'm more than what they intended I would be. I am a black kid in America. I didn't have it easy since I was born so making something out of my challenges is the reason I have this voice to be for those who relate to the predestined lifestyle of the system. I found my gift.