What’s your stage name and where are you from?
My stage name is Zazu Noir, and I’m from Boston, Massachusetts!

What’s the story behind your stage name?
Zazu is actually a childhood nickname from my family, referring to the famous hornbill in the legendary movie Lion King. I guess it had something to do with how I would process and regurgitate information. The “Noir” aspect of the moniker comes from “The Noir Effect,” reminding me that through art and staying readily informed, not even the darkest of situations can keep us down for too long.

Describe your musical journey in three sentences.
As far as the musical journey, it’s been beautiful; through all of the highs and the lows, many great relationships and masterpieces have been created. I’ve learned deeply about myself and my purpose. It’s been a journey of self-discovery and artistic fulfillment.

Share an interesting experience you had while creating your latest track.
It was actually the first track I’d ever done alongside my longtime friend and amazing pop artist TearfulWhisper. We were in the studio one night, and though it was a new style for Tearful, he immediately jumped in with a high-energy take, and together, we elevated the track.

What message do you want to convey through your music?
Never let anybody make you feel discouraged as an artist. We all learn to cultivate love and life in different ways. Connection, expression, relation, and belief can all be cultivated through music.

Tell us about a challenge you faced during production and how you overcame it.
I lost a lot of people I cared about and realized how transactional everything truly was. I had to readjust and magnify two things: keeping my mind open and prioritizing my mental health above all.

If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
Vince Staples, Mick Jenkins, Westside Boogie, and JID are at the top of my list for hopeful future collaborations. They are generational talents taking the industry by storm.

Where do you see your music taking you in the next year?
I see my music taking me to different states, panels, and rooms where I can generate greater change.

What’s the next big step for you as an artist?
Bigger stages, bigger features, larger events, and deeper connections. Expansion beyond anything I’ve ever seen before.

We occasionally feature artists on our Bird of Paradise Podcast for in-depth discussions. Would this be something you’re interested in exploring?
Yes! Incredibly so!

Are there any other promotional opportunities you’re looking for to boost your visibility?
Radio play, playlists, performance bookings, podcasts, articles, and appearances—any of the above!

Where can we hear/watch your most recent work?
To Whom It Should Not Concern, Pt. III is out on all platforms as well as Figure It Out ft. TearfulWhisper.

What is the best way to contact you if fans want to give feedback or if other artists/producers want to collaborate?
@therealzazunoir on Instagram!