Exclusive | Singer Zakiya Harmony Talks Creating Her Own Sound Through Neo-Soul
“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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