Today we’d like to introduce you to Zay Blaze.
Hi Zay, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in Dunwoody, grew up in Dekalb county and during my time in elementary school (at Charles R. Drew Charter School) I had decided that I no longer wanted to play sports but that I had a passion for singing. My mother had always been supportive of my dreams so she said she would help out however she can – with the stipulation that I actually stick with the plan. I said I wouldn’t give up music (fully aware that I might just quit after a couple of months) but it was something that actually stuck with me throughout the years. She also urged me to learn to wear multiple hats being that the singer gets paid last after the producers, writers, engineers, etc. I started as a singer but around the time “Best I Ever Had” by Drake hit the radio, I decided to try to take on rapping as well (with the help of my older cousin) because I admired Drake’s sound. After graduating from 8th grade, my father taught me how to produce my own beats and in 12th grade, I started to engineer my own music so I figured I would go to college for just that. I graduated from Hampton University with a degree in Audio Production all the while working on my own music and others on campus
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This has proven to be a rough path. The biggest struggle is that in the music industry, it does not matter how talented you are, it’s all about who you know… and then that’s not even the case, it’s about who knows you. I could talk all day about who I’ve met and shook hands with and how I know them but unless they know me well enough to believe in me to help me make more connections, then it means nothing. My struggle with that is that I’ve always been a shy/timid person around people I don’t know so networking is always like pulling teeth. But luckily, I have made some really connected friends in the past couple of years that do their best to help me make the connections that I need. The only thing now is to keep up the momentum.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a singer/rapper/writer/producer/engineer/guitarist/bassist. I’m more known as a singer and engineer. People know me to make very smooth, emotional R&B music but I am most proud of being able to switch from one genre to another. I like the ability to drop music and you not know whether I’m singing or rapping until you click on it. I’d like to say what sets me apart is the versatility. I’m able to not only make my music but other people’s music too with the production, guitar, engineering, etc.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My best advice it to just TRY it. If you want to do something, there is nothing but yourself stopping you from doing it. Everything that I do now, I just said to myself “hm I think I wanna start doing this or that” and I put my best foot forward and just started doing it. No self-doubt, no inhibitions, you can’t get good at something if you never try it. Either you will enjoy it or not, but now you know.
The main thing I wish I knew was that you can make all the best music in the world and it won’t boost your career unless you go outside and meet new people and build a fanbase. Once some people believe in you, then so will more.
Pricing:
- Studio Time $40/hr
- Beats start at $50
- Mastering $35/song
- Features $200
- Remote mixing $25/song
Contact Info:
- Email: flame@zayblaze.com
- Website: zayblaze.com
- Instagram: @zayisdead
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw3WKMz6290jPe2qy1UmP-A
Image Credits:
Marwan Sabir Nigil Crawford Khai Fletcher Lindsey Bush
