Originating from Okaloosa County, ZCM Kazi, short for Kazimierz, is a Florida rapper/artist with dynamic versatility, now based in Phoenix, Arizona bringing East Coast influence. While growing up on mostly West Coast rap (Eazy-E, NWA, etc.), he spent many years in New England and as a result has heavy New York influence from artists such as Notorious B.I.G., Big L and many others. Although his career is at its infancy he has been in the industry for years, and has been building a loyal following of supporters all around the world. ZCM Kazi has plans to further his music career in the coming years.
Website: ZCMKazi.com
Listen to ZCM Kazi on Soundcloud
1.) What elements and/or characteristics made you say to yourself that you wanted to do music for a living? Who are your influences/heroes/role models?
Honestly as long as I can remember I’ve been very musically inclined. It’s always been the best way for me to express myself and be creative. I used to just enjoy writing when I was younger, but turning those words on paper into an entire piece of art for everyone to hear was just next level for me. It’s always came naturally to me.
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 music-wise, what separates you from other musicians?
I don’t think my sound is very comparable. I like to think I naturally have my own sound, but methodically I’d say Drake. Drake is an innovator. He’s versatile and dominates any area of music he does. That’s how I like to be; fluid and versatile. I rap but I don’t consider myself a rapper, but more of an artist in general. I make whatever content I make, whether it’s rap, or something melodic. It’s hard to put a specific label on me.
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 a musician?
Definitely, most of us have gone through some trauma in life at some point whether minor or major. Growing up I didn’t have the best childhood, while I certainly didn’t have the worst. It wasn’t the most ideal. I personally believe it’s what you make of it though, nothing is positive or negative; everything just is. It’s the individual who assigns the connotation to it. My childhood has inspired me to write a lot. Writing about the things I’ve overcome in life and how it affected me as a person and made me who I am today. I do however always try to remain positive in any situation. I try to take situations in my life that would usually be deemed negative and find the silver lining in them, to use as a learning experience or something that made me stronger.
4.) How do you prepare yourself to write certain songs? What is your song-writing and recording process?
I actually almost never sit down and write anymore. Most of the time it’s when I’m busy, I’ll be doing something throughout the day and words/melodies flood my mind. I take my phone out and record all of it, then when I get home I put it all on my MacBook so when it’s time to go record the song it’s put together. I have a very unique song making process altogether, but it’s always worked for me.
5.) Unfortunately the music industry is full of talented individuals who just don’t get any recognition for their talent and/or hard work. What do you plan to do to make sure you stand out and get noticed? Would you rather be on a major label or would you rather stay independent? Why or why not? In regards to the music industry itself, do you think that the traditional music industry model as we know it is dead?
I stand out because of my unique sound and personality. I know it’s cliche, everyone has that perspective of themselves, but I can’t look at it any other way. I’m not sure I’ll ever see success if I didn’t look at it that way honestly. As far as labels, I’d say independent. I like to be in control of my life, and my ventures. Of course that comes with more hard work, and maybe even less exposure, but I take pride in what I do, and being self sufficient. If having more authority over my life means more responsibility then that’s fine.
6.) How do you think the internet and social media affected the music industry and how musicians are able to market themselves? 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 music industry if they’re not social media savvy?
I think social media is one of the best things, but also one of the worst. It’s the best because now anyone can get exposure and there’s no gatekeepers to the industry. But the downside is that the industry is overly saturated with people who aren’t really dedicated to this life. It’s hard to weed out those people. You tell people you make music nowadays and they roll their eyes. I think we’ve all checked out that one guy’s “rap music” on his SoundCloud at one point and laughed. We all know that guy. So it almost puts this stigma on being a “rapper” or artist. It’s hard to get yourself out there when the industry is like this.
7.) Artists who try to make music 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 music stays true to your brand and make a good living at the same time without having to “sell out”?
I think it depends on your goal as an artist, if your whole goal is to just make money, then so be it. Personally I’m in in because it’s something I love, music is like one of my senses. Music isn’t something I chose to do, music chose me. It comes so naturally to me it’s scary. I could never “sell-out”. I can’t be anything but true to myself and who I am as a man, whether it makes me money or not. I can’t fake it, life is just too short for me to fake it and be unhappy with myself. I’ll always go my own way.
8.) Professionally, where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
Definitely releasing more music, doing a ton of shows, and just progressing/growing as an artist all the way around.