New York City is the place where dreams are made. Many musicians grew up in the concrete jungle looking for the chance to show the world what they are made of. ZAK! Downtown, a young college student shares the same aspirations as many artists before him and is looking for that opportunity to show the world his musical talent. In April, The Campus Socialite brought Dada Life, along with many artists including ZAK! Downtown, to University of Arizona to throw one of the most epic parties that campus had ever seen. We caught up with ZAK! Downtown and talked about music, his roots, and The Campus Socialite’s own location, NYC! Check out the interview, after the jump.
Campus Socialite: Can you tell me a little about yourself?
ZAK! Downtown: Born and raised in Downtown NYC. Haven’t moved out the neighborhood and probably never will. Grew up with a great crew of people. New York is the illest environment to do something creative in. Nobody judges, and there’s also so many different things going on. Just recently I did a collaboration tee shirt with Reason Clothing, who were my homies in high school.
CS: I hear you are a student at NYU? What are you studying?
ZD: I basically decided I had no intentions of leaving the city. So I applied to city schools. Luckily got in to NYU in the Sports Management program. I’ve actually been going part time. When you’re doing something creative, i feel like you need to devote yourself completely, but at the same time keep a foot in the “real world” to not lose yourself.
CS: How did music become a part of your life?
ZD: It’s always cliché to say but music has really been a huge part of my life forever. My mom worked for Cameo, who was a great funk band, she also spent time with Bob Marely. Growing up my older brother was the person I learned everything music related from. He listened from everything hip-hop to WHAM! , to soul music. Then in high school, my friend Nick and I would make all types of weird music and I basically made one song that caught my brother’s friend Matt’s eye. Then him and some other people really convinced me to push it and take it as far as I could.
CS: Who or what would you say your music style is modeled after?
ZD: I think it’s modeled after a combination of music styles, mixed with modern day hip-hop. There’s definitely a lot of artists i draw influences from, but I like to think that I bring something unique. I still think I’m finding what my sound will be but it’s getting there.
CS: Why hip hop?
ZD: Being in NYC, going to public high school, everyone listened to hip-hop. I chilled with all walks of life, but hip-hop connected everyone. Essentially Dipset and Kanye West were on repeat for all of 9th and 10th grade. Both of their sounds were so different at the time, and really opened up hip hop.
CS: If you could describe your music style in one word what would it be and why?
ZD: Eclectic. Every song has a different sound, but at the end of the day there’s a unifying concept. It’s generally pretty personal with a touch of excitement and fun.
CS: What do you hope will happen with your music down the road?
ZD: I want to take this thing aaaaaaalllllllll the way. Music’s not something I started to do to make money, but if I can live off what I love then i have to do it. I want to work with a ton of different artists from all genres and just create some new sounding hip-hop. Anything goes nowadays.
CS: Is there anything you wish you knew about before getting involved in music?
ZD: How long things take. Granted if you got it, you got it and stuff will pop off. Otherwise it’s a real hustle. Persistence pays off though.
CS: Do you have a website where we can hear more of your music?
ZD: New site http://www.zakdowntown.comCOMING SOON!!!
CS: Is there anything else you think I should know!?
ZD: Be on the lookout for new music and new videos coming this summer. A lot of content. And a lot of shows next fall. POW
