Zion Antoni is a freelance journalist and grassroots independent recording artist/record producer from the Bronx, NY. He is the founder/chair of the Urban Cry LLC, a limited liability company with two main branches: freelance journalism, and an independent record company. The Urban Cry has administered to hundreds in American inner cities and has also extended reaches overseas internationally. The Urban Cry in its independent ascent labored extensively in the grassroots, streets and record pools through freelance publishing, radio, activism, and books. Zion advocates consciousness, and brings to reality to light
With years of study, as a freelance journalist by 2009 he released the web viral no prisons series along with many articles and started a multi-city podcast of music and social commentary with a six year run, ending 2015. He also founded foundation’s as the Maryland-D.C. based Sekou Think Tank, addressing Urban issues in 2012. As an independent artist under socio-cultural, and spiritual content he released successful projects, functioning in a catalog of sound, and genres including avant-garde rap, soul, jungle, Progressive and lounge.
Like Urban Cry LLC on Facebook
1.) What elements and/or characteristics made you say to yourself that you wanted to a journalist and recording artist for a living? Who are your influences/heroes/role models?
It was more of a love of writing as a youth. But as I grew much older and experienced more it was also the love of knowledge. So to articulate it was like a gift. To merge the two sort of evolved over time. I have many heroes such as Marley and Cooke when it comes to music. And many others in different fields that have made their mark in their own unique way.
2.) If you could compare yourself to an already established artist, who would that be and why? If you don’t like to compare yourself, then what separates you from other artists out there?
Knowing me I wouldn’t really compare myself to most of my contemporaries. What separates me the most is distinct originality, content and form.
3.) Everyone in life goes through adversity of some sort. Is there anything in your life that has any influence on the kind of songs you write? What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure on your path to becoming an artist?
Adversity is a part of life. And music is always life. To tell you the truth it’s hard to single out the hardest thing. It seems it’s like one continuum of sacrifice and dedication. Development, but the fruit pays in many ways.
4.) How do you prepare yourself to create? What is your process when it comes to writing?
LOL it’s funny but it’s just simply living. The song and messages articulates its own self once you position yourself.
5.) Unfortunately the creative industry is full of talented individuals who more or less become the “starving artist” and don’t get any recognition for their talent and/or work. What do you plan to do to make sure you stand out and get noticed?
Honestly I think it’s all in the way you position yourself. In order to position yourself you have to study and learn depending where you want to be. A talented artist can’t recognized as a talented artist without exposure. I’ve shown myself over a period of time to the markets that belong to me. The branding took time lessons and effort but the mark is made.
6.) Would you rather work for a big corporation or would you rather stay independent? Why or why not?
Independent. Because you have the ability to steward your own. Never afraid to work for mine… humble… but you give no one any room to shortchange you, and tend your own voice and market.
7.) How do you think the internet and social media affected the creative industry and how artists are able to market themselves?
It made it very accessible. It made being independent a great thing. From big corporations to independent record labels with small budgets, nonprofits, etc. It’s a free platform to grow.
8.) Social media is obviously an extremely important element in today’s world, especially when it comes to business, branding, marketing, etc. With that being said, do you think an artist will be able to survive in today’s economy if they’re not social media savvy?
I would say before social media, artists would still thrived. Marketing then was just another form. If there was an event or concert promotion through the city, publications, etc. I would say the artist would still thrive they would just have to be consistent run business strong and work on building their market.
9.) Artists who try to create art for the general public and make more money are usually seen as “sell-outs.” Do you see it that way and if so, what do you plan to do to make sure your art stays true to your brand and make a good living at the same time without having to “sell out”?
It’s in the way that you look at it. I do believe many artists do sell out for more. Then I believe there’s a percent of those very artists who fashion themselves after that genre of commercial music. For many artists that’s their actual brand of music so they know commercially they can access more money and fame. If you know in your heart you’re not a commercially branded artist I believe you have to dig deeper to invest in yourself. When you invest in yourself you’re true to yourself and the markets that co-signs you.
10.) Professionally, where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
Thinking about it branded is I am now, true to myself and content and progressive. Music is life.