Introducing ZieZie, the south London talent with an eclectic sound and dreams to make it big. Though he has only been making music since December 2016, the 19-year-old from Croydon has made big waves already, with his track ‘Mingle’ reaching 1.2 million YouTube views and having signed a record deal with Sony RCA. We caught up with the rising star in a quick interview below.
For those who don’t know who is Zie Zie?
I’m a young Congolese, versatile, mysterious, melodic old soul from the South! *laughs*
We're part of the generation doing the most – music, poetry, art. How do you define yourself at the moment?
I actually grew up in Surrey/Chessington sides before I moved to Croydon about 6 years ago. I’ve always been very musical but I never really thought about actually doing music as a career until I was doing it... I’d always had a passion for Drama, acting and being creative before music came along. Then when it did, I was just around friends and reall was gaining traction in Croydon, that’s where a lot of the love for my music comes from!
Give us a little history on your upbringing?
At the age of 18 I was at a point where I started thinking about the future and what I want to do for a career, at this time of moment the music scene was starting to acknowledge the Afro-beats sound more and I sort of knew that’s what I was coming out of the studio with anyway. I decided to give it a shot by releasing music at the time I knew it would fit into the scene, but also would stand out with my own mix of sound.. the ZieZie sound.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=As1pRzoKmJ8
How has South London shaped you? Do you think things would be different if you wasn’t from south?
If I wasn’t from south, I wouldn’t have been influenced the way I have today. To be honest if I still lived in Surrey all this time I highly doubt I would of joined this Industry – there’s a certain level of inspiration you get from being around here, like you can make it if you just take a chance to put something out.
Was it difficult letting your parents know that music is what you want to do?
When I made my first ever song I had my mum listen to it and she was over the moon! My mum is a very spiritual woman and has always had high hopes and dreams for me and she has always said I’m a blessing to our family. That is something that means a lot & has stayed with me. I do a lot of this to make them all proud.
From what I’ve heard you are a go-getter, how did you get where you are now in this short space of time?
To be honest from a young age I have always said to myself I have to be someone in this world LOL. I am where I am today because I try my best with everything I do, all us humans dream but very little of us wake up and make the dream into a reality.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9u_CIqS7yTc
A couple of your songs are in the millions of views/listens what’s your secret?
I tend to release good music that all types of different people can enjoy, I never aim for a specific audience, just enjoyment and vibes! I am really influenced by my Congolese roots and always acknowledge that in my sound, even when its more subconscious.
In this climate where everyone is making afro-swing type music what makes you stand out?
I don’t like to stick to one sound, to me that’s boring, I love to experiment with my music. It’s there to express myself in.
Ill Blu are big boy producers – how did you meet them?
Fine Girl was climbing and my music was getting more traction and they reached out to me for a session. I met with them and we instantly musically connected, now we work together often and we got some crazy bangers on the way! They’ve worked with so many people I respect, like Krept & Konan for instance, they’ve done so much and with their impact on Croydon and the community, inspirational; so it means a lot to be working with them [Ill Blu] so closely.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA0hujS61jc
A lot of people will be here now and gone tomorrow, how do you plan to make a mark that will last?
I’m a versatile artist, I’m not going to stick to one genre. My sound and my Congolese/French heritage which I interpret in my music, will introduce me to plenty of new territories and people… and I’m so South (London) as Stormzy says, I really study this and what music will keep me relevant in The Scene.