In an industry known for its relentless pace and high-pressure demands, Gizzle stands as a refreshing voice of mindfulness and authenticity. The Los Angeles native has made an indelible mark on the music industry as a Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum songwriter, crafting hits for icons like Travis Scott, Nicki Minaj, and Ty$, while amassing over 200 million streams of her own music worldwide. But beyond the platinum plaques and industry accolades, Gizzle has embarked on a deeper mission through her wellness community, Zen Thug, which focuses on spiritual development and mental health awareness in underserved communities.
Gizzle opens up about growth and success
In this candid conversation with rolling out publisher Munson Steed on CEO to CEO, Gizzle opens up about the delicate balance between professional success and spiritual growth, offering valuable insights into mindful leadership and authentic decision-making.
[Editor’s note: This is a truncated transcription of a longer video interview. Please see the video for the extended version. Some errors may occur.]
Tell us about your company and its mission.
I have two companies. The Gizzle Company, or the GZL Company, is an acronym for Grace, Zoo, and Leverage, which I believe are the three pillars that help me navigate my career within the music industry and now into the wellness industry. I’m also a founder of a wellness community and organization called The Zen Thug, where we focus on mental health awareness and spiritual development.
How do you maintain clarity while navigating the music industry?
Having a practice that helps maintain level-headedness and clarity is crucial on a day-to-day basis. When you’re dealing with different energies, motives, and contracts, there’s a certain level of discernment you need to maintain. It’s about having a deep knowing of who you are, what your values are, and what your beliefs are. As they say, all money is not good money. You want to make decisions that align with not only where you are but where you’re going.
What practices do you recommend for finding clarity, especially as we approach the end of the year?
We should be using this time to recalibrate, rehab, and redirect. It’s really important to reflect on where we’ve been, rather than getting caught up in the achievement mindset. Around the holidays, when people are understanding of a slower pace, it’s the perfect time for reflection and review. For me, that looks like deep meditation and journaling right afterward to see what comes up. It’s also a time to review finances, investments, and any expenses we want to eliminate moving forward.
How important is silence in your practice?
Sometimes the silence is more important than the chatter. Peace is often found in those pockets of stillness throughout the day. One of the biggest benefits I’ve gotten from meditation and yoga is clarity. Life moves so fast, and the minute you wake up, something is vying for your attention. Even just 60 seconds of silence a few times throughout the day can give you so much more focus and clarity.
What have you learned from journaling?
Journaling is harder than I thought, especially in terms of discipline. I do both brainstorming sessions for ideas, hopes, and dreams, and download sessions for epiphanies and thoughts. When you review your journaling, there’s proof of what you did or didn’t do, how you felt, and where you’re growing. It forces you to confront truths, even the hard ones, and helps you track how you’re maturing.
How do you navigate energy in professional spaces?
Energy plays a big role, especially as I’ve gotten older. Early in my career, I thought of myself as an extrovert. Now, I’m more particular and selective about the energy I share and allow into my space. It’s important to have a practice that helps you take stock of your energy each day, knowing where you stand in terms of input and output. I’ve learned not to waste energy on things or people that don’t value it.
How has discernment helped your career?
It’s saved my life multiple times and really helped my career. Developing a strong sense of discernment helps you differentiate whether you are operating on your own motives or someone else’s. When I make decisions, I first refer to God and then defer to myself. You have to strengthen discernment — it’s not something that comes fully formed. Even sometimes you’ll question that discernment, like “Was that my stomach hurting, or was that my intuition?”
How do you maintain positive mental health in the music business?
Being naturally optimistic as a Sagittarius helps, along with having a strong family support system. But what really changed how I navigate the industry was yoga and meditation. It was about developing a relationship with myself and learning to say no to things that didn’t ignite my fire. I’ve learned to be intentional with my time and understand its value.
What music brings you peace?
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill definitely. Also, Missy Elliott’s Supa Dupa Fly and Jay-Z’s The Blueprint. These albums take me back to a peaceful time in my youth.
What do you represent to the world?
I represent freedom of choice and authenticity. I think we need examples of what it looks like to do the thing that you most want to do, your way, despite what other people perceive that as.
