Don’t depend on anyone, you got that right, but also don’t try to do it all alone,” reflects K.ZIA, contemplating the delicate equilibrium between independence and collaboration in the music industry. It is this ethos that permeates her artistic endeavors, for she stands as an independent artist who fearlessly forges her path while recognizing the power of collective synergy.
In her new EP, aptly titled ‘Kintsugi Heart,’ K.ZIA unveils a testament to resilience and healing. Like the ancient Japanese pottery practice it draws inspiration from, ‘Kintsugi Heart’ celebrates the journey of a heart shattered and artfully pieced back together. Through six tracks, she invites listeners into a world of introspection and growth, where vulnerability is adorned with golden threads, transforming scars into beauty. “Kintsugi Heart is about emerging from dark times stronger and more beautiful… embracing our scars and highlighting them with golden glue, making us more unique and beautiful.”
We talked to the Brussels-born artist about the balance between embracing independence and the value of collaboration, how her mother influenced her music journey and what advice she would give to her younger self.
Photography by Bodi Samba (3) and press (1)
K.ZIA, your journey has taken you from Brussels to Berlin and Dakar. How has the diversity of the cultures you’ve experienced influenced your sound?
Ever since I was a child I was privileged to travel and see the world. Not only did it shape me into who I am today, a melting pot of cultures, languages and lifestyles it also definitely influences my art. It difficult to put my music in a box: R&b ? World ? Ne-soul ? Pop… that the result of that ! I am shapeless and tameless of some sort. (smiles)
Given your experiences and travels, what does ‘home’ mean to you?
Home is many things to me. Firstly home is where I grew up. So my mom’s house, my gran’s house, my dad’s .. those are the places of my childhood memories.
Home is also where love is, And that changes with time and life circumstances. Right now to me home is Dakar I feel love from the people, I feel love within myself when im there and I feel love with the earth.
In the EP ‘Kintsugi Heart’, you metaphorically compare the journey of healing a broken heart to the Japanese pottery practice, Kintsugi. Could you delve more into how you came across this concept and why it resonated with you?
Kintsugi Heart Is about emerging from dark times stronger and more beautiful. To me, the kintsugi Pottery practice is really the same, it’s about embracing our scars and highliting them with golden glue, making us more unique and beautiful.
I think we learn so much trough mistakes and falls. The acknowledgement of a down time, a depression or crisis is the first step in healing from it.
Love is probably the most important thing in the world. In your opinion, what are the key ingredients for building and sustaining a healthy, fulfilling romantic relationship?
Love over Ego.
We drop pride, competition, assumptions, possession and self doubt and we embrace Trust, respect, communication, patience, growth, consistency, reliability and of course LOVE.
“I chose to be very transparent with my personal life and emotions… It’s so enriching sometimes.”
You mentioned using sports as part of your self-discovery and spiritual reconnection journey. What particular sports did you engage in, and how did these activities contribute to your healing process?
I was going to the gym every day and going to a lot of dance classes, it was during covid too so we had a lot of time !
As a bilingual artist, how do you decide which language to use for a particular song?
It just happens, it’s about the moment. Unless I’m writing for a specific project that requires a specific language, I like to just see where the vibe takes me.
Being the daughter of recording artist Zap Mama, how has your mother influenced your music journey?
My mom is always by my side. Extremely supportive and curious about everything I do. It’s a gift to be able to share this journey with her and a privilege to have your mother fully understand your profession. Everything I’m living, all these milestones, she’s been through for the past 30 years! She comes along on music video sets, she comes with with on certain trips, and always makes sure I stay grounded and am able to have an outside perspective on things.
“Home is where love is, and that changes with time and life circumstances.”
In the current digital era, how do you approach creating an authentic connection with your audience?
I chose to be very transparent with my personal life and emotions. I speak of real things real events and stories. I share these stories not only in my music but on social too, and sometimes really beautiful conversation come out of them with people from all ages and places. It’s so enriching sometimes, I’ve learnt a lot and love being able to connect directly with the people that support me.
On the other hand it’s also very very draining because I tend to want to answer everyone and really stay as connected to people but there is only so much you can do and also some people tend to overstep boundaries sometimes when you give too much.
So in the end it’s about finding balance, Putting a wall to protect your energy but also remaining human and not living off a Shooting star looking down at people.
As for the creative process, having access to so much visual and music content is very inspiring. It pushes your brain to explore ideas and feeds the subconscious. But on the other hand the current digital era also comes with extremely fast consumption which I believe Is really harmful to art. People always want more ! And don’t really take the time to listen or look. You can spend weeks months or years on a project and people with look at it once and be like when’s your next release ? We used to watch Music videos 500 times on MTV, learn all the choreographies and want the same hairstyle as our favorites singer for 1 year back then .. I miss those times !
“Visibility and reach… it can be difficult for artists to make sure people know their music is out there.”
What challenges have you faced in carving out your niche in the music industry as an independent artist?
Visibility and reach. Today so many people make music and influencers are constantly in the spotlight that it can be difficult for artists to make sure people know their music is out there. Most big medias only work with big labels who have an agenda linked to their own artists. So it’s difficult to get through to people. And even if we have the internet now, most times it’s like being a needle in a hay sack really.
Aside from your musical influences, are there any authors, or artists from other disciplines who have significantly influenced your perspective?
My father being a Horse acrobat and comedian, I’ve been to many shows in my life that help me gain a certain understanding of stage presence and crowd control. Very thankful for that. It’s a part of my creativity I am eager to tap into more too ! I haven’t explored it enough.
Looking back on your journey, what advice would you give to your younger self just starting out in the music industry?
1. Don’t depend on anyone, you got that right, but also Don’t try to do it all alone.
2. MARKETING bitch MARKETING !! (laughs)
