Shay Biography: Age, Net Worth, Songs, Boyfriend, Height, Wiki, Albums, Ethnicity

Vanessa Lesnicki, known professionally as Shay, is a Belgian francophone rapper, singer, and songwriter recognized for her dynamic blend of hip-hop, trap, urban pop, and R&B.

She first gained prominence through her 2011 collaboration with French rapper Booba on the track “Cruella.” Her debut album, Jolie Garce (2016), certified platinum, established her as a leading figure in French-speaking rap.

Shay’s bold persona, feminist themes, and genre-fusing style have made her a cultural icon, with subsequent albums like Antidote (2019) and Pourvu qu’il pleuve (2024) solidifying her influence in the music industry.

Profile

• Full Name: Vanessa Lesnicki
• Stage Name: Shay
• Born: 16 August, 1992
• Age: 32 years old
• Birthplace: Brussels, Belgium
• Nationality: Belgian
• Occupation: Rapper, Singer, Songwriter
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Mr. Lesnicki , Mrs. Lesnicki
• Siblings: Olivier Lesnicki
• Spouse: None
• Children: None
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $600,000

Early Life and Education

Vanessa Lesnicki, born on August 16, 1992, in Brussels, Belgium, grew up in the communes of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean and Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, raised by parents whose names are unknown.

Her father, a computer scientist of Polish-Jewish descent, and her mother, a tax expert of Congolese descent, raised her alongside her younger brother, Olivier Lesnicki, a music producer known as Le Motif.

Shay’s grandfather, Congolese singer Tabu Ley Rochereau, inspired her early connection to music, naming her “Shay,” meaning “she who brings light” in Yanzi. She dropped out of school during her teenage years, briefly engaging in troubled behavior before pursuing music.

Her ethnicity is Belgian-Congolese, and her religion is Jewish.

Career

Shay began her music career in 2011 after her brother, Le Motif, sent a video of her rapping to French rapper Booba.

Their collaboration on “Cruella” for Booba’s Autopsie Vol. 4 led to her first major performance at Bercy Arena before 17,000 fans. Facing personal struggles, including losing friends and experiencing homelessness, she briefly moved to London to fund her musical ambitions.

In 2014, she joined Booba’s 92i label, releasing singles like “XCII” and “1200,” which built her early fanbase. Her raw lyricism and confident delivery set the stage for her breakthrough.

Shay’s debut album, Jolie Garce (2016), marked her rise to fame, with hits like “PMW” (platinum-certified), “Biche,” and “Cabeza” (gold-certified), blending rap, R&B, and African rhythms.

The album, certified platinum in 2024, showcased her bold persona as a “jolie garce” (pretty rebel). Her 2019 sophomore album, Antidote, featuring Niska on the gold-certified “Liquide,” explored vulnerability and earned platinum status.

Shay’s role as a judge on Netflix’s Rhythm + Flow: Nouvelle École (2022) alongside Niska and SCH highlighted her influence, while her 2021 label, Jolie Garce Records, gave her creative control.

In 2023, Shay released singles “Jolie Go” and “Commando,” the latter earning a Victoire de la Musique for Best Audiovisual Creation in 2024.

Her third album, Pourvu qu’il pleuve (2024), debuted at number three on France’s SNEP chart with 7,867 first-week sales, featuring collaborations with Gazo, Niska, and SCH. Her sold-out performances at L’Olympia and Zénith de Paris, along with her 2025 Flammes Awards wins for Female Artist and Stage Revelation, cemented her status.

Shay’s feminist stance and genre-blending artistry continue to inspire, making her a trailblazer for female rappers.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @shayizi
• Facebook Handle: Shay
• YouTube Channel : Shay

Personal Life

Shay keeps her personal life private, with no publicly confirmed romantic relationships or children.

She is currently single and has expressed discomfort with exposing her private life, focusing instead on her music and public persona.

Discography

• Jolie Garce (Album, 2016)
• Antidote (Album, 2019)
• Pourvu qu’il pleuve (Album, 2024)

Singles:

• “XCII” (2014)
• “PMW” (2016)
• “Biche” (2016)
• “Cabeza” (2016)
• “Thibaut Courtois” (2017)
• “Jolie” (2018)
• “Cocorico” (2019)
• “Notif” (2019)
• “Liquide” feat. Niska (2019)
• “Commando” (2023)
• “Sans cœur” feat. Niska (2023)

Net Worth

Shay has an estimated net worth of $600,000 USD.

Her wealth is primarily derived from her music career, including album sales, streaming revenue, and live performances, with hits like “PMW” and “Liquide” driving significant earnings. Also earns income from her role as a judge on Rhythm + Flow: Nouvelle École and her label, Jolie Garce Records.