We were lucky to catch up with Zakai Porter recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Zakai, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
My resilience comes from both nature and nurture. My dad has always been the type to handle his business, no matter the situation or how he’s feeling, and that mentality stuck with me from a young age. My mom too, I’ve seen her overcome challenges that seemed impossible, and she never gave up. So, I feel like perseverance is just in my blood.
On top of that, I’ve faced a lot of obstacles myself. From the typical struggles of growing up as a young Black man, to learning how to survive on my own at 16-17 and juggle everything life throws at me, resilience has become a necessity. As a man—especially when you look like me—you really don’t have a choice but to push through and keep going, no matter what.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m an artist at heart. Creating is what drives me, whether it’s music, visuals, or design, I just love taking an idea and bringing it to life. My main focus is music—I write, rap, and sing—and I’m also diving back into producing. Beyond that, I’m expanding into video production and design because I enjoy experimenting and exploring new creative outlets.
One of the most exciting things I’ve got coming up is my EP, Vagabond, dropping on 2/22/2025. This project is a reflection of my journey and showcases my versatility as an artist. It’s not just music—it’s a glimpse of what’s to come and the different lanes I plan to explore. I want my work to inspire and connect with people, and Vagabond is just the beginning.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I’m still early in my journey but the three qualities that have been most impactful for me are resilience, love, and confidence.
Resilience is key because there will always be obstacles in anything you want to do. It’s on you to overcome them, no matter the situation. If you’re someone who lets setbacks discourage you to the point where you stop pushing forward, you’re going to struggle. Success requires the ability to keep going, no matter what.
Love is just as important. You have to love it—love the process, not just the results. You’ve got to love the music, the creative process, even the failed attempts and the lessons they bring. Too many people are in this just because they think it’s cool to be a rapper or as a quick way to get rich. Those people rarely come across as authentic. But when you’re truly passionate about it, that energy shows in your work and connects with others.
And finally, confidence. You can’t spend time worrying about what other people think. You have to make music for yourself first, and if it makes you feel something, that’s what matters most. Don’t get caught up in trolls or negative opinions, they’ll only hold you back.
My advice for anyone starting out is to find your ears. If you create something—a song, a beat, whatever—and it genuinely moves you, I promise there are people out there who will feel the same way. Your job is to find and connect with those people. Stay authentic, don’t give up, and most importantly, have fun with it.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
I’d say my biggest challenge right now is balance. Juggling work, school, and music is tough, especially being in the situation I’m in. At 17, I have responsibilities that most people my age don’t—supporting both myself and my mother. It can feel overwhelming at times.
What keeps me grounded is focusing on the type of man I want to become. I know who I am, I know where I want to go, and I refuse to let anything or anyone stop me from achieving that. I’m working on not letting my emotions control me or allowing how I feel in the moment to hold me back. Instead, I remind myself that every step I take is helping me become the person I’m meant to be.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kashkaido?igsh=ZzVtZjJoc2wzNzE4&utm_source=qr
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/6GWpVP6WQVEhRam9A
Image Credits
IG:
elijah_0316
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