By Rob Sangbey
Growing up in the small, largely French-speaking city of Rouyn-Noranda northwest of Montréal, Zach Zoya developed a diverse musical palate from his family. Introduced to African music by his South African father who fled to Canada during apartheid, and North American soul and pop music by his French-Canadian mother, Zoya was immersed in rhythms and melodies that spoke to him even when the English lyrics didn’t.
Though French was both Zoya’s first language and the one more established in the Montréal music scene, he’s rapped in English from the start of his career. Raised without a computer or television in a place with minimal hip-hop culture, Zoya first honed his flows by covering records by Kendrick Lamar and Drake, and credits learning the skill of rapping with improving his delivery as an all-around vocalist.
It’s Culture were lucky enough to grab some time from Zach to ask a few questions, so you can get to know him a little better:
If you had a message to the music scene what would you say?
Make the music YOU like listening to! Not the music you think OTHERS want to hear.
If you could collab with one UK artist who would it be and why?
I would loooove to work with Ella Mai. I feel like that type of RnB flavour has been missing in the last few years and I could definitely see us making something new and special!
You’ve done big live performances, how do you relish it and perform to your best ?
It’s my second favourite thing to do after the actual music making part. It gives me a great sense of accomplishment after I’m done because it’s challenging. In the studio, you can always redo a take, not on stage. I would say I perform best under pressure, when there’s a riskiness to it. It makes me feel like I’m growing, moving forward.
“Start Over” was your fastest ever streams to a million why do you think so?
I think it’s definitely a more accessible record and introduced me to a wider audience. I stepped out of my usual hip-hop comfort zone, showcased a bit more of my singing side, and it paid off it seems!
What does culture mean to Zach Zoya?
Culture to me is a code. It’s a language shared by a subset of the population. A specific group bound by music, art, ethnicity, language, physical location, etc. The beauty with culture is that it’s ever-changing. It’s not rigid, it changes its mind. It’s as if it was a living thing, and we’re just kind of playing with it.
How long you been growing your dreads, what do they mean to you?
I started locking my hair when I was 17 so they’re soon to be 7 years old! They’re simply the natural expression of my hair, at their simplest! Unkept, unbothered. To me they mean freedom, or maybe more like letting go.
You mentioned working at a fast food restaurant, what things did you learn there you still carry with you today ?
Hahaha, fast food taught me patience and discipline. It taught how to do repetitive tasks. Writing is a lot like making food. There will never be enough and making one doesn’t mean the next is going to be good! It’s a constant work in progress.
A message for someone who’s thought about giving up?
FIGHT THE RESISTANCE!!
I just finished this book called The War Of Art, you should read it. It talks about how life is a constant battle against resistance (resistance being the easy way out sort-of) so FIGHT THE RESISTANCE.
How would you describe your sound ?
I wouldn’t describe it, I’d let you do it! My opinion on my own music is irrelevant once it’s left the studio.
Lastly any upcoming projects you want the people to know about?
My new ep – NO LOVE IS EVER WASTED out now! New single Smoke & Dance out now!
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