Today we’d like to introduce you to Zyah
Zyah, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started playing the piano by ear at the age of four. I then began private lessons and studied classical music for 15 years with various renowned instructors including Alfred Mouledous at Southern Methodist University. However, I’ve always had this urge to create music, not just read and recite. Even as a child I would try to “embellish” Bach, Beethoven, or Debussy with my own riffs and melodies but this was highly frowned upon in the classical world.
I also loved singing and participated in talent shows and All-City choirs growing up, but I had never combined the two arts of singing and playing keys simultaneously until high school. The latter naturally lead me into songwriting. I was not allowed to go to “studios” at that time, so I found friends who had recording equipment and would secretly record the songs I was writing at their house on weekends.
Once I started college at The University of North Texas, I began singing around campus and local venues in Denton. From that point forward I knew I wanted to pursue a career in music full-time. I continued gigging, developing my songwriting, taking vocal lessons, and recording more music. A few of my songs were heard by Vince Chapa in 2015, and by Spring 2016 I signed my first record deal with HighStandardz.
Since then, I have released my debut EP “I’ve Been In Love” (available now on all major streaming platforms), written and produced on two Def Jam/Universal Music releases, as well as co-written the title track to the major motion picture “The Hate U Give” which was released in the US October 2018 and is continuing to be released internationally this year in various countries including France, Italy, Brazil etc.
Currently, I’m sharpening my skills as a producer and finishing my next EP set to release later this year! Outside of music, I’m building my handmade candle business after the success of them selling so well as a part of my artist merchandise last year (Instagram.com/@zyahmerch).
I also co-founded a book club called “Girls That Read” to help connect women through thoughtful conversation and literature (Instagram.com/@GirlsThatRead_). Our attendance and online engagement are growing every month, and I’m looking forward to continue building this beautifully budding community.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Overall it has been pretty smooth. I have been involved in music for as long as I can remember so by following my bliss and never giving up things have naturally fallen into place for me over time. The main struggle is patience.
It is easy for artists to get discouraged when big opportunities do not manifest right away. It took me virtually 20 years and hundreds of songs before I signed my first record deal, produced for a major label, or wrote for a major film and for me this is still only the beginning.
We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I am the only black female artist in Dallas that sings, writes, plays piano, is classically trained, and has had several major label/major film placements as a vocalist, writer, and producer.
I’m also bi-lingual and write/perform in both English and Spanish. All of the latter makes me an extremely rare gem in this city and quite frankly in the music industry in general.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I’m not sure if I believe in luck, but I do believe in the divinity within myself to manifest anything that I desire. I have learned that preparation and being ready at all times will always put me in the best position to win.
That preparation builds confidence, and that confidence gives me the wherewithal to be assertive and ask for what I want. I also think being relentless and moving past the “no’s” until I find a “yes” gives me the power to create my own good fortune.
Pricing:
- I’ve Been In Love EP (Hardcopy) $5.00
- ZYAH Handmade Scented 8oz Candles $10.00
- ZYAH Handmade Scented 16oz Candles $20.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/zyahmusic
- Email: zyahmusic@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zyahmusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZyahMusicOfficial/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/zyahmusic
Image Credit:
Denzel Golatt, Franco Perry, Karlo Ramos, Daniel Hunter
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
