Exclusive | Singer Zakiya Harmony Talks Creating Her Own Sound Through Neo-Soul
Atlanta singer, Zakiya Harmony talks making an impact on the world through her music, becoming a successful indie artist, and creating her own sound through neo-soul in an exclusive interview! Check it out here!
“I just want to impact the world through positive music and music that has helped me get through so many obstacles in life. Everyone has a purpose in life and I believe my purpose is to inspire others through music.”
By: Omar Cook
This week's "Who's Hot?" Artist of the week is Atlanta singer, songwriter, and musician, Zakiya Harmony! She began her music journey playing the saxophone in her elementary school band at the age of 9. Zakiya was a rapper for several years as an adolescent into adulthood, and it wasn’t until the birth of her son and losing her job as an educator in 2012 that she realized she needed to reevaluate her life.
She taught herself how to play guitar and wrote songs as as a way to express herself. Zakiya has performed at Sweet Auburn Festival, Yellow Daisy Festival, Callanwolde Arts Festival, Chastain Park Arts Festival, and The Piedmont Arts Festival, as well as many other venues around the Atlanta area. Zakiya’s unique style of music and her life story is what sets her apart from so many other artists as she brings a soulful and sultry style to her music.
Zakiya Harmony - Apology
We talked with Zakiya Harmony in an exclusive interview, check it out below!
How long have you been making music and how did you get started?
Zakiya Harmony: I’ve been making music for about 5 years now.
Musically, who has been your biggest influence in helping you along your journey and who are your favorite musicians?
Zakiya Harmony: Tori Kelly, Brandy, Monica, TLC, H.E.R, and Ari Lennox.
What artists would you like to collaborate with and why?
Zakiya Harmony: I would love to collaborate with Babyface and Stevie Wonder. I feel like they are musical geniuses.
What do you feel is your best song/project ever released and why?
Zakiya Harmony: The best song I’ve ever released was the first song I wrote and composed called “Apology”. I feel like I was going through different emotions at the time and it’s so raw to me because I had just began to sing and play guitar 6 months prior.
What projects can we look forward to in the near future?
Zakiya Harmony: The Diary part.2 (My third EP)
How do you generate new ideas for your music?
Zakiya Harmony: I typically go off of things that I’ve gone through and life experiences that I can express through songs.
Zakiyah Harmony | Six | Session 9
What motivates you and how do you define success?
Zakiya Harmony: Seeing other artists who were indie artists become successful motivates me the most. I define success by making a living doing what you love.
How do you describe your music to people and what separates you from other artists in your genre?
Zakiya Harmony: I would say I’m a mix between neo-soul and R&B. What makes me different is my unique voice and sound.
Do you believe there is a formula to being a successful artist?
Zakiya Harmony: Hard work + talent + faith
Who is your greatest inspiration?
Zakiya Harmony: My greatest inspiration is my son.
In your opinion who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre today and why?
Zakiya Harmony: I would have to say H.E.R she’s super talented and I have a lot of respect for her because she is a musician that plays multiple instruments.
Which emotion more than any other, currently dominates your music? Joy, sadness, anger or passion etc. , and why?
Zakiya Harmony: I’d have to say passion because when I write most of my songs 9/10 I’m going through that exact situation in that moment.
What sacrifices have you had to make, to make your dream a reality?
Zakiya Harmony: I’ve had to give up sleep. I’m a teacher and I have to sometimes go from a late night gig straight to work the next morning.
What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?
Zakiya Harmony: The aspect that excites me the most is being able to create my own sound from the beat/chords to the words in the song. What discourages me is what’s popular now in music. You really don’t have to have talent these days to become a successful artist.
Where do you see yourself and your music in 10 years?
Zakiya Harmony: I see myself writing for major artists and performing my music all over the world.
What advice would you give to other up and coming artists or people looking to break into the music industry?
Zakiya Harmony: Don’t stop. Don’t stop. Don’t stop. I was boo’d off the stage during my first performance. I had only been singing for about 6 months and wanted to go perform just to get my feet wet. I kept working on my craft and booked several gigs at that same location 2 years later as a headliner.
Is there anything else you would like people to know about you or your music?
Zakiya Harmony: I started singing when I was 28. I started playing guitar 6 months after that. I write all my music and I play 2 other instruments.
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Exclusive | Laolu Talks Overcoming Depression and Her Return to Music
London singer, Laolu, talks overcoming depression and her return to music! Check out the exclusive interview here!
We talked with U.K. singer, Laolu, in an exclusive interview! This hot new singer was born and raised in South East London, and developed a kinship with music that has spanned much of her life. Laolu graduated in Commercial Music Performance, and it wasn’t long until Laolu was writing her own material and performing across a wide variety of venues including the Indigo O2, Somerset House as part of the ‘What Next’ Campaign supported by Bigga Fish, Cargo, Proud Camden, Street Fest London and the Queen of Hoxton.
Her involvement in the ‘What Next’ Campaign saw her work with the likes of Little Simz and Katy B, supporting acts including Chipmunk, Ghetts, The Wombats and Miss Dynamite. Laolu worked with DJ and producer Blinkie at the very beginning of her career, who also introduced her to the artists J Warner and Benjamin AD.
Laolu - “All In Me” (Music Video)
Laos is an honest soul who openly shares a struggle with depression, which through her music she hopes she can inspire others going through similar issues.
With her return to music, Laolu discovered a new understanding of the direction she wanted to take her sound and her music. The struggle with depression served as a source of inspiration for her upcoming release ‘All in Me’ which talks the listener through the journey she has experienced.
We talked with Laolu in an exclusive interview, check it out below!
Question: How long have you been making music and how did you get started?
Laolu: I first starting singing in primary school around age 10, and started songwriting shortly after. The first time I ever sand was in the school choir and we sand ‘oh happy days’ from Sister act, I just remember everyone coming up to me after saying “oh my gosh you can sing, you can sing!”
Question: Musically, what are your biggest influences and who are your favorite musicians?
Laolu: I am a huge fan of Brandy, Andre 3000, Kelis and Faith Evans, new school I like SZA, H.E.R and Toro Y Moi and I’m a huge Janelle Monae fan.
Question: What musician would you most like to collaborate with and why?
Laolu: I really would love to collaborate with James Fauntleroy or Syd (The Internetz) both are extremely talented and I feel we’d just vibe and create something special.
Question: What do you feel is your best song you've ever released and why?
Laolu: If I’d have to choose I’d say my latest single ‘How To Feel’ I feel I really tapped back into the original R&B that only a few artists are still doing and I just love how the song develops from start to finish.
Question: What motivates you and how do you define success?
Laolu: I just love creating and being around others who have genuine love for the art of music, nothing beats being around musicians and just seeing the enjoyment on their faces. The love of music motivates me and overcoming depression and making music again.
Question: How do you generate new ideas?
Laolu: I go off what I experience in life, what my friends experience, sometimes it’s the energy I get when I’m in a session and the producers start creating.
Question: How do you describe your music to people?
Laolu: Honest R&B with a hint of alternative and raw lyricism, I don’t sugar coat what I write or sing about.
Question: Do you believe there is a formula to being a successful artist?
Laolu: No, I think some are lucky but longevity is granted to those who never stop loving what they do and always strive to grow and learn as a musician or artists. I feel right now we are in a time where people just want good music they’re not fussed about popularity they just want real music.
Question: Who is your greatest inspiration?
Laolu: That would be my family, we haven’t had it all the way easy but we never allowed things to deter us from what we all wished to achieve. My sisters a lawyer, my brothers a photographer, my other brothers in music and real estate and my mums been successful in all she’s done as single parent, I only hope to make them all proud.
Question: In your opinion who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre today and why?
Laolu: Probably Daniel Caesar, I believe his talent is so raw, his vocals are amazing and so effortless I believe him and H.E.R the singer are really doing solid R&B for the younger generation.
Question: Which emotion more than any other, currently dominates your music? Joy, sadness, anger or passion etc. , and why?
Laolu: Right now it’s a bit of everything, my E.P ‘All In Me’ that’s coming out later this year, is based off things I experienced whilst battling depression, I speak on every and about where I am now.
Question: What sacrifices have you had to make, to make your dream a reality?
Laolu: I don’t really have a social life, I’ve always been a home body but I have to invest in my music and my dream so not seeing friends and going out is a sacrifice I’m willing to make. All my money goes towards music so I don’t really see it as a sacrifice more of an investment.
Question: What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?
Laolu: Most exciting process is getting the music out and performing live, seeing people vibe and just letting you know they appreciate and like what you’re doing. Discouraging aspect would be working towards a timeline and things getting pushed back, you know when you’re excited about a release and when it doesn’t go as planned it frustrating but I believe everything happens for a reason and just to trust the universe.
Question: Where do you see yourself and your music in 10 years?
Laolu: Doing tours and being successful, I believe that the best is yet to come and I will continue to make music that’s honest and music that connects with people.
Question: What advice would you give to other up and coming artists or people looking to break into the music industry?
Laolu: Always look towards the end goal, remember why you started and keep going no matter what, it will not be easy some days you’ll question ‘why am I doing this’ you won’t always see results straight away but every seed planted will yield results at the right time. Remember to love what you’re doing and not to lose yourself in the hype.
Question: Is there anything else you would like people to know about you or your music?
Laolu: Please support my music, it’s literally been what helped me out of depression and I hope my music helps anyone else battling through it. Thank you for taking the time to listen and share xX