EQUATE Meets Zach Zoya
“I took the RnB route with “Feelings”. For this one, I went back to my roots and just did what I enjoy doing the most and what comes naturally.”
Growing up in a small French-speaking town in Quebec, Rouyn-Noranda, singer Zach Zoya wasn’t exactly surrounded by a vibrant music scene. However, with his South African and French-Canadian heritage, he was exposed to a variety of sounds regardless – from African music to American soul and pop, Zoya’s musical palette developed immensely.
His musical journey started when he began covering songs from Kendrick Lamar and Drake, which swiftly led to him growing an online audience. Fast forward and Zach Zoya has now collaborated with some of the most renowned Toronto-based producers, including Boi-1da, as well as UK’s Angel. With his unique blend of emotive R&B and melodic Rap, Zach Zoya is undoubtedly one to watch. Today, he is releasing his brand new single ‘Feelings‘, his first offering ever since he’s dropped his highly acclaimed debut EP ‘Spectrum‘ last year. The intimate and profound new single gives his fans a first peek of what they can expect from his upcoming project.
Read the full interview below…
Words & Interview by Antonia Kuenzel
EQ: You must have been exposed to such a wide variety of sounds as a kid, with your dad having fled from South Africa and your mum being Canadian-French. Which artists did you grow up listening to in particular?
ZZ: Surprisingly, it was actually my mom who brought a lot of the African music into the house. My dad was more of a classical music fan. I grew up listening to artists like Miriam Makeba, Soweto Gospel Choir and the R&B and pop artists I listened to the most were Usher, Chris Brown, Beyoncé, and Michael Jackson.
EQ: The music scene in Canada is thriving without a doubt. But being brought up in a small town in Quebec, what was the music scene there growing up?
ZZ: At the time, I felt like the scene was inexistent. I had to get out and come back to realize how vibrant the local scene was and is today. It is also mostly a French music scene, so I didn’t mix in it that much.
Did you find it challenging to emerge into Montreal’s scene, considering the city’s main language is French?
ZZ: No, not really. One great thing about Montréal is how multi-ethnic it is. I didn’t really have to convince people like that, they embraced me from the jump.
So you’re due to drop a brand new single today, what can you tell us about that yet?
ZZ: I took the RnB route with “Feelings”. For this one, I went back to my roots and just did what I enjoy doing the most and what comes naturally. I’m very excited about it!
EQ: What is your creative process when you’re writing/coming up with both a new song and visuals usually?
ZZ: I usually try to channel the song’s energy and convert my words into images. I always start with the beat itself and let it inspire me. Rarely will I just start off nothing and create a whole story. I let the instruments guide me.
EQ: You‘re also due to release your sophomore EP. How will it differ lyrically and sonically from your debut? Is there anything you have learned as an artist since your debut?
ZZ: I think this next EP is a more lowkey one. I tried to focus on melodies and describe what emotions came out of them. I think this pandemic made me want to drop music that’s more soothing, calm, more contained.
EQ: Coming from the UK, I couldn’t help but notice that you collaborated with London-based artist Angel – how did that come about and what was it like working with him?
ZZ: Angel’s a legend! We got to kick it a bit when he flew over to shoot the “Patience” video, had a blast! It kind of just happened naturally. I hit him up, sent him the song, and he hopped on it!
“One great thing about Montréal is how multi-ethnic it is. I didn’t really have to convince people like that, they embraced me from the jump.”
– Zach Zoya
EQ: Is there anyone else from the UK that you’re keen to collab with in the future?
ZZ: Maaaaannnyyy! I don’t think I can name them all but Jorja Smith, Skepta, Headie One, Labrinth and tons of others!
EQ: Which songs are currently on repeat on your playlist, and what is your ultimate guilty pleasure song?
ZZ: I’ve been heavy on podcasts these days actually. I listen to the Joe Rogan Podcast a lot as well as Dissect, a music breakdown podcast. But if I had to name a couple songs, I’d go with D’Angelo, Jodeci, Mos Def, and Larry June. My guilty pleasure song would have to be “Positions” by Ariana Grande. The vocal arrangements are just so perfect, I strive to reach that level one day.
EQ: Last but not least, is there anything else that you’re currently working on that you can let us in on?
ZZ: I just dropped a 3-part series called “Classics” on YouTube where I remixed RnB favourites of mine, check it out!
Listen to his new single ‘Feelings’ below.
YouTube/Zach Zoya
Stream ‘Feelings’ HERE