Meet Zakiyah

 

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Zakiyah a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have ZAKIYAH with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

I would say I get my work ethic from many sources of inspiration but primarily just believing in myself and my potential and KNOWING what I can do & wanting to break generational curses, stereotypes, boxes etc. Really I just like surprising people, I was born in 04 so Tyler The Creator, XXXTentacion. Lil uzi Vert, Wiz Khalifa, Mac Miller, Danny Brown… I could go on but so many figures I looked up to over the years as in a musical standpoint. Personally im the typa artist archetype where if something touches me so much i’m gonna try my hardest to enhance and embrace that energy I so feel lightened by that you know .. I feel like so many people downplay looking up to an artist in a musical way to advance your own skills. You can’t start from a blank page. Well me personally some of my favorite artists have set down some base or they shine through and I filter it my own way , but I let things influence and inspire my own sound while I still remain originality, so work ethic is about not giving in for me and standing in your power as a musician. Having a voice and safe space and audience at that to listen to your expressions is soulful and it changes people’s lives for the better and i’m tryna be apart of that and indulge in my own fruits of labor to be honest.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Well my name is Zakiyah, I’m 20 years old from Las Vegas I now stay in The Bay area. I’ve been into making music since I was like 9 or 10 with because there was a lot of family in to rap around me at that time, but I really got good at it I would say around 16-17 I really just love music like I started doing it for the vibes. I was hella shy and embarrassed about it for a minute because I knew I was such an introvert keep to myself type of person , I knew or at least I thought people would judge me or make fun of me , but a few people around were actually very supportive they were surprised for sure but I used my voice well yet in real life I rarely was speaking like that . I feel like I garnered my own respect and power through appreciation in my own purpose through my music and the fact that I was actually decent at it producer and vocal wise I just had more than enough validation to push me to make it a real title for me to be a musician and actually start my status like doing this as a career learning how to distribute my music .. promo all that. Musically my roots have probably nothing to do with Las Vegas It might sound funny but I feel like Vegas pulls culture from all around the US, so when I moved to the bay I feel like it was lowkey like a cultural shock to me .. I wasn’t even shocked honestly I was more so like damn like i have to adjust to a new environment, it was new slang , it was new music, new people around you know like im like a chameleon or i’ve learned to be now at least. I really do believe that changed me the most throughout my short 20 years in a positive way though, I moved right after middle school. My family is from out here so i’ve gotten the opportunity to see all the culture out here it’s way more culture than Vegas. In depth that’s what it’s about really and it’s beautiful it’s a melting pot of variety down here. California has become my second home
and I would love to build and develop my artistry around my folks and the community out here it’s fun the experiences i’ve had. I would like to also let the gang know and share with the readers that i’m super spiritually inclined being a 12th house stellium.. Im a taurus and I love astrology i’ve gotten quite decent i’d say over the few years reading birth charts and doing tarot readings so if you’d like to book with me you can contact me on instagram @prodbyzakiyah, or email me [email protected] for inquiries! Thanks for tuning in with me yall for the love of music and allat goodness. Shout out the woman in music.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Curiosity, Exploration, Action and one more Development.

Ummmm my advice for the folks who are early in their journey as an artist is to absolutely feed and nurture that curiosity and drive in you.. if you wanna make a screamo song, then a r&b song the next don’t be afraid of trying different things or different techniques explore that want and question to want to try that new thing, or get deeper into why you like that song so much, explore that because exploration becomes your pathway and way of drawing out on paper what you gotta do to get your desired results. Taking actions musically is essential , yeah lying still waiting for an idea is cool sometimes not gonna lie. But a lot of times you gotta go look for that beat act on it instead of hearing it in your head you gotta go make it, every beginner and experienced artist i’ve seen including me has had the same problem overthinking the creative process like you should damn near not have to be thinking that hard that’s why the best artist make their best top hits in like 20 minutes an hour.. not to be cool but because the idea just came that quick to them and they picked it up and ran with it. This happens when you believe and it’s real to you in a way, music is magic so you cast your own spell when you draw out your vision and vocalize it let that guide you let it cast something and cook something up for your own success and self esteem. Let your success make you confident and if that doesn’t work let your confidence make you successful everybody will get their moment if you truly want it
it’s about maintaining it.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I’m definitely looking for people to collaborate with , especially in terms of music videos and songs in general please please please traveling videographers or videographers in the bay area hit me @prodbyzakiyah on instagram, [email protected] is my email, & @divinezakiyah on tiktok because I would love some visuals and someone to rely on for new content and artists/producers feel free and more than welcome
to hit me up too i’m always looking for new sound and new personalities to come across to interact with make cool work, boost eachother up, network etc. @prodbyzakiyah on instagram, [email protected] is my email, & @divinezakiyah on tiktok

I’m a real cool person laid back and Ima support who support me, don’t be afraid to tap in with me.

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