Introducing The Honest And Empowered Zanillya
Emerging artist Zanillya is a talent that wants to make her own positive impact in the world. Based in Amsterdam, the songstress cites Prince, Rihanna, Beyonce, and Kanye West as early influences that have shaped her into the artist she is today. Working tirelessly on her music over the last few years, Zanillya has begun to release her relatable singles, including her empowering track, ‘You’re It’. With a Nike partnership for their international campaign making the rounds and her highly-anticipated release of her debut EP, Zanillya shows no signs of stopping her music takeover.
We got a chance to talk about her single ‘You’re It’, top five role models, working with Nike and more…
‘You’re It’ is a track that is full of female empowerment. Can you give us some background on how this song came to be?
My producer Humphrey Dennis and I were asked to make a bespoke track for the first Nike kids campaign, which is an instrumental with only a couple of vocals. The agency loved it so much they asked us to make a track out of it. We didn’t have much time and actually made it in two days. It was important to us that it was empowering to young girls and felt like you could work out to it.
Who were your top five role models growing up?
My first role models were my parents, as they were really artistic and eccentric. I gravitated to individuals like that from a very young age, so when I saw Prince on TV at the age of two, I immediately fell in love and knew I wanted to be an artist. Oprah is also someone who inspired me growing up. We always had her show on when I came home from school and there was something about her that made me feel I could do everything. Growing up there were not a lot of light skin girls on TV, so when Alicia Keys came out with ‘Fallin’ I was blown away. It almost was like I was staring at my reflection. I loved how she was pretty, natural but also so tough just like Aaliyah, who is also someone who has a special place in my heart. I might already be on five but I have to mention Kanye West, Beyonce and Rihanna as they artistically really inspire all that I do. Beyonce is such an amazing performer and just someone who inspires me to work hard. Kanye is a creative genius and his sonics are the holy grail to me. Rihanna is herself, boundaryless and gives you a feeling to not care what people think and do what you love.
Listening to your four singles, the production of each is unique and different. How would you describe your sound?
My sound is definitely a mix of different genres. I was raised with so many different styles of music that it’s so natural to me to mix all of that. It wasn’t easy finding my signature style and I think we still are crafting it, but I don’t like to conform to a genre or to what people say you need to do or be. I try to steer away from defining my music as I feel my music is a reflection of where I am in my life and since I am always evolving, I feel my music does the same. However I do think my music will always be honest, empowering, emotional and filled with vibes.
What were your initial thoughts collaborating with Nike on their international online campaign?
We had Nike on our vision board so when we were contacted it was emotional for us as Nike is a brand we always wanted to work with. Nike is a trendsetter and their work is always great. It was definitely a moment for us. We feel blessed to be part of a campaign that inspires young girls to be themselves. When I was growing up we didn’t have ads like this, so we wanted to really do the best job we could to make sure the message came across as was intended. We worked closely with the creative directors and the director on the music. They had a clear vision of what they wanted but also gave us the freedom to give it our unique twist and that I think is what made it work.
When did you and producer Humphrey Dennis start collaborating on music?
Humphrey and I started working together in 2011. My dad had passed away a couple months before and I decided to make all my dreams come true no matter what. I entered the competition I wanted to win since a young teenager and needed a producer. Humphrey stood for creativity and mixing genres so I was very drawn to his sound. He immediately was down and dived in with me. We won that competition and have been collaborating ever since. We have grown so much since then. We searched for our sound for so long, experimenting with all kinds of genres and styles. Until we made ‘For You’. That was when we found how we wanted our music to sound like.
Are you working on an EP?
Yes we are working on my EP. We are in the last stages of the production. It has been in the making for the last four years now and we are so proud of how it’s turned out. I am so honest on this EP, really sharing my darkest moments. We worked so hard on the sonics as we really want people to feel where I mentally was while creating it. I went through a heavy depression so just to get to the studio was a chore at times. Not because I didn’t love making music but because of all the thoughts in my head. It wasn’t easy to let go of my need for perfection but I realised that it isn’t about being perfect. It’s good to let things go and let the people feel it and make it their own. I am just the vessel.
What were some of your creative influences while making the record
We were influenced by future R&B, Afro Beats, Dancehall, Kid Cudi, Kanye West, Drake and Bob Marley among others.
What type of impact do you want your music to have?
I want people to feel like they’re not alone. I want to inspire them to not be afraid to go through the process of recovery. This project is made for healing. It captured where I was when going down the abyss. It’s for people who are broken and need to go to that place where it hurts, to find peace with it, to let it go and grow. If I can do it everyone else can.
Make sure to check out Zanillya latest track feat. Humphrey Dennis You’re It below.
