Neighbors: Sazi

This installment of NEIGHBORS is republished from Issue 1 of Super Empty magazine, now available at stores across the state and in our online shop. Grab yourself a copy and help make our NC-focused culture journalism possible.

How’s it going? What’s the latest in Sazi World?

All things are well. I think I've been in an era of growth, kind of restructuring, rebranding myself, figuring out my bartending business and just growing in all areas, but the bartending business has been a real focus lately. As well as starting to plan for my next SaziFest events, and rebranding that as well. 

What’s one thing that excites you and one thing that depresses you about life in 2025?

My daughter is the joy of my life, and I'm always really excited to spend time with her, and watch her journey and growth of being a little human in this messed up world. She just started kindergarten, so that's a lot of important milestones — she just had her first field trip, things like that. And then the economy and the state of the world, honestly, it just makes me so sad, to the point where I will go down a rabbit hole and it will affect my day. Just to know how many people don't have basic needs, and are getting done wrong in this world. That gets me down.

Who or what comes to mind when you think of NC hip-hop? 

The Deviants. Honestly and truly. The way they are cultivating music right now, they’re doing it in a very insane and beautiful way, and I’m just happy to be a witness and be a part of that journey. 

What was your introduction like to the 919 scene?

I got introduced to the creative scene through Yessa The Floet, we went to high school together. He was the person who introduced me to the open mics and all the different people in the community. I was working at a dentist’s office and wanted to quit, so started tapping into my creative bag, and planned my first event in 2023 — I had so many people on the lineup, probably 20 people [laughs]. But it helped me get to know a lot of notable names and become the person I am today. 

Where are people most likely to find you, outside of home? 

I’ve been moving around a lot lately. I’ve been doing a lot with Congress Bar in Durham, also Fresh Collective in Raleigh, and this Charlotte venue called Sugar & Sip with my mobile bartending business. 

What’s one shared truth that has connected all your different career paths and endeavors?

Community — just my care for people and wanting to create genuine connection and thriving creative spaces. 

Raleigh needs to… 

Continue to expand the creative scene. A lot of people have put themselves out there as far as the services and things they're able to offer, and we’ve been helping each other, and it's been expanding so many businesses, so many people's lives. I think we need to continue to uplift each other, showcase our services and talent, because there's so much still hidden out here.

What’s the one cocktail everyone should know how to make?

A good little margarita. You could do so many flavor profiles with it — you can make it sweet, make it sour. It's pretty simple to make, and it's just good. I would have said my personal cocktail, but I'm not trying to give everybody the recipe.