EQUATE Meets Zenesoul
"I didn't waste my energy on wondering why certain people weren't supporting. Not everyone is going to like what I'm doing and that is just life"
After her critically acclaimed project ‘Coffee‘ from last summer, Canadian Nigerian R&B/soul singer and songwriter ZENESOUL - pronounced ‘Zen-Soul - is finally returning with brand new EP ‘Brown Sugar’ - the B-side to the previous.
Whilst Zenesoul addressed sombre themes around love and relationships in ‘Coffee‘, she is now sharing the sweet side of love, with brown sugar literally making the coffee more bearable - metaphorically speaking. The EP is a truly mesmerising project which yet again showcases both the singer’s immense vocal talent and her effortless songwriting capabilities. We don’t want to give away too much, so have a read about what she unveiled about ‘Brown Sugar‘.
Read the full interview below…
Words & Interview by Antonia Kuenzel
EQ: Hi Zenesoul, nice to meet you. First of all, how did you get into music?
Z: I’ve been singing in the shower and around my family and friends pretty much my whole life. Music has always been a big part of my life. I don’t know exactly what started it, but I do know that I fell in love with writing lyrics at 7 years old. After years of being pressured by people around me I took a leap of faith and started this journey. I’m so happy I did.
EQ: There’s obviously quite a vibrant music scene in Canada, did you find it easy to break into the scene initially?
Z: I was so scared of the Canadian music scene, especially because the narrative I’ve always heard was that Canadians don’t support new talent as quickly as other places. I wouldn’t say I found it easy to break into the scene because to be honest I’m still trying to figure it out. But I will say that the support has been amazing! I focused on the love I have for music, what I’m doing and on the people supporting me. I didn’t waste my energy on wondering why certain people weren’t supporting. Not everyone is going to like what I’m doing and that is just life. I find that by just being constantly myself and loving on those loving on me, I’ve been able to navigate through the Canadian music scene.
EQ: And what was your earliest musical memory and when did you know that music is what you wanted to do? Were there any challenges?
Z: It’s honestly everyone supporting me! The support has been so organic and it gives me all the high I need. Messages from people I don’t know just letting me know they love what i’m doing, OMG, that just lets me know this is what I’m meant to be doing. My team coming to me rather than me finding them just solidified everything for me. I’ve just felt so much genuine love that nothing else makes sense for me to be doing. I’m supposed to be here right now. I would say the only challenge is now I have to be on social media a lot! Like A LOT! Responding to messages and showing love to those supporting me. It can get hard sometimes, but that’s very minor and very doable, there are WAY more positives.
EQ: Your sound captures a stunning blend of R&B and soul. Who would you say influenced your sound the most when you first started making music?
Z: When I first started making music I wanted the world to hear Lauryn Hill’s influence all over my music. I had to learn that I don’t need to replicate her to be inspired by her. I’m inspired by so many artists and I believe my sound is influenced by a blend of the various artists. Lauryn Hill, Jill Scott, Brandy, India Arie, Erykah Badu and Keyshia Cole just to name a few.
EQ: Having both Nigerian and Canadian influences, how did both shape you as an artist?
Z: Nigerian Music is all about vibes and if it’s not that, then there is a deep message behind the song. I feel the music I experienced growing up in Canada can have the same effect, but a lot of the new music is about the production. Something I try to do is keep both influences in my music, though I love me a great production, I make sure to have strong messages or stories in my music and give listeners an experience with each project, each track.
EQ: You’ve got a new EP Brown Sugar coming out today! Can you talk us through it?
Z: I’ve always had a hard time writing about the nice side of love. Although I’ve been in love more than once, I’ve never had a partner that I felt like I could give 100% of myself to. Brown sugar is how I want to feel when I’m in love. It’s how I believe everyone should feel. I’m such a hopeless romantic and the idea of love is slowly slipping away for me. I wanted to capture how I feel before I no longer feel that way. I want to manifest it. It seems so far away but I have my fingers crossed.
EQ: The EP is a follow up from your highly acclaimed project Coffee last year, have you approached anything differently this time around?
Z: Yes! This EP is like the B side to Coffee. It’s all about love. Coffee was about so much bitterness and pain I felt from love, whereas Brown Sugar is a manifestation of the type of love I want. I’m putting the energy out there. I’ve been learning that I need to be careful of the things I say and the energy I put out into the universe, so I’m working on being better. Coffee also had a lot of guitars which I love because guitars are so intimate and provoke story telling. Brown Sugar on the other hand is more vibes, more full, it’s not as intimate but still brings you into my world. It’s a mature Zenesoul.
“I’m putting the energy out there. I’ve been learning that I need to be careful of the things I say and the energy I put out into the universe, so I’m working on being better.”
- Zenesoul
EQ: You’ve also got a feature on there with Aaron Ridge, how was working with him and how did the collaboration come about ?
Z: It was amazing working with Aaron! The process was actually very easy. I wrote the song and I really wanted a male feature so I hit him up, asked if he could write a verse and he absolutely killed his verse! He recorded at my studio with Engineer Nate Smith and the rest was history.
EQ: Did the pandemic impact you creatively in any way while working on the project?
Z: I usually write my songs in my car on my way to work or anywhere to be honest. Even with the pandemic I was still working full time because I work in the hospital. As a result I was still in my car daily and continued writing. It put a hold on some of the video and interactive ideas I had but I would say overall, the pandemic gave me time to slow down and focus on the music because I’m literally always on the go.
EQ: Last but not least, what else can we expect to hear or see from you this year?
Z: I can’t wait to release some of my Afrobeat songs! I’ve been holding on to them for way too long! So I’m excited about that. You can expect to hear more singles this year, heartbreak songs and love songs. Just all round vibes and life experiences.
Watch her latest music video ‘Love And Be Loved’ ft. Aaron Ridge below…
YouTube/Zenesoul
Stream ‘Brown Sugar’ HERE