Brussels-born, world-raised, Berlin-based, singer, songwriter and artistic director K.ZIA shares the breathtaking new music video for her latest single ‘I Got Your Back’. Taken from her upcoming debut album ‘Genesis’, set for release on 11th February 2022. 

On her brand new conceptual album, K.ZIA brings forward her rich Universe and introduces two sides to her persona: K.ZIA who emulates light, warmth, passion and emotion and sings in English, and ZIA, her darker, bolder, intoxicating alter-ego who sings in French. Watch the album trailer here. 

Effortlessly blending elements of alternative R&B, soul, Pop, trap and afrobeats with K.ZIA’s captivating vocals, ‘I Got Your Back’ showcases K.ZIA’s effortless and natural gift for storytelling. Drawing from her combined influences, K.ZIA thrives on being able to experiment with the emotions and feelings she’s able to convey through her music. 

Speaking of the track, she says:

“I Got Your Back is a song close to my heart. Dedicated to one of my closest and longest friends, It’s a song of comfort for the ones among us who suffer from depression. Life can feel so lonely at times, depression is a subject we don’t often talk about but touches so many. It’s ok to need some time off, it’s okay to feel a certain type of way. The last 2 years have been heavy on a lot of us and this song is a warm hug from a distance to make sure you know that whatever happens, I got you.”

Born of a Martinican father and a Belgo-Congolese mother (internationally acclaimed Zap Mama), K.ZIA was raised amongst many cultures and has travelled the world of Music and Circus, during her child and teenage life. 

In 2017, while finishing her Masters in Public Relations and Media she decided to move to Berlin where she started her career as an Independent Artist. Since her debut EP „RED“ released in 2018 K.ZIA has performed across the globe as both a headliner or support act for artists like Sampa The Great, Omar Lyefook, Tayla Parx, Kota the friend and more.

She describes herself as an Afro-European mineral by virtue of her cultural and ethnical background. This can be felt in her music mixing both French and English. She creates soundscapes fusing cultures, genres and brings people together to celebrate music, LOVE by creating a safe-space for us to BE.

What inspired this last release?

I wrote this song for my oldest and one of my closest friends. We were both going through a lot in 2021 and with the lockdowns and everything we couldn’t see each other. She felt alone and in deep need of a friend. It was so hard with the distance and the depression we were powerless.  So the one thing I could do from afar  – and with the little energy I had from all this – , was to write my feelings into music and send her a musical long hug of comfort and love.

Do you get inspired by other art forms?

Absolutely ! and the more I develop my artistry, the more I get inspired by others and other domains, like architecture, cinema, plastic arts..and Hope and like to think I can provide the same for creatives of those art forms too with my music 🙂

Any funny anecdotes from the time you were recording or writing this?

Not quite no. Wasn’t really a ‘fun’ period in full honesty.

What’s your favorite place or environment to write?

In a cosy studio for writing, In my home studio for vocal arrangement and melodic composition, in a prof. High quality studio for final recordings 😀  

What’s a record that shaped your creativity?

It’s always really tricky for me to answer these kinds of questions. “Who’s your all time favorite artist” / “ What album shaped you? “.. i was influenced by so many things growing up thanks to the many travels, and the fact that my parents are artists themselves.  They constantly fed my mind with different kinds of music, performances, exhibitions and what not. I was lucky to get a lof of content to help build up my creativity. But If I really have to mention one I’d say Zap Mama’s (my mom’s) albums. Even though our genres are very different, she has been a huge inspiration for me in terms of creativity; she always reinvents herself, and is a visionary – truly inspiring. 

Who is an artist or band you look up to today?

Haha I saw it coming.. I am inspired by many.. But to name a few Erykah Badu, Grace Jones, HER, Teyana Taylor..

What excites you the most about what you do ?

The constant growth and learning of new experiences. I am a sagittarius. We don’t really like repetition or routine.. My profession comes with new experiences, meeting new people, improvement, travels, collaborations, It takes a lot of energy but it gives me a lot of it too ! The biggest excitement though, is actively knowing I am able to reach my goals, and seeing myself move towards them. I just have to give myself the opportunity and cease them when they are given to me by others. 🙂 

What is your view on genres and music styles since you mix a lot of them in your music?

It used to be a challenge for me – The whole concept of genres, and boxes that is. Like I mentioned above, I’ve been influenced by so many things and my tastes go in so many directions that it’s unnatural to me to have to restrain myself to a certain category. At first it was really something that retrained me creatively but recently i’ve decided to let go and not block myself too much when it comes to that. I am still not full on doing everything I like yet , but i’ve got a lifetime to explore reggae, opera, Gospel, Blues, Rap… and what not 🙂

What does music and art mean to you?

Life

Expression

Expansion

Sanity

Evolution

Time travel

Love

How would you describe your sound in one word?

True