MuzicNotez: First off, it’s an honor to be doing this interview with you, thanks for taking the time to sit down with us.
What motivated you to start creating music? What age did you begin?
ZIGG: Well, I began rapping around the age 13, at first I played the piano growing up, I believe I was about 7 or 8 when i started. As I got older, i would fool around on the piano just making simple beats thinking nothing of it, then it became something that I loved doing. Before I knew it, I was making songs of my own. I used to always think in the back of my head, why play other artist music when I can create my own. I guess in a way I was my own motivation. Memorizing notes and key patterns became a challenge as well as a goal for me. The more and more I did it, the more and more I fell in love with it.
MuzicNotez: Who were your musical influences, idols, or bands growing up that have helped mold you into the musician you are today? Or helped mold the music that you create?
ZIGG: Man! Lets see I have a few, but only a couple artist influenced me in a way that I can’t explain. Biggie was a big influence because growing up he was the hottest rapper out at a point of time. Although we have two different rap styles and what we talk about within our music, I loved his flow and the way he would switched up every track. Lil Wayne had the most influence on me out of everyone, The Drought 3 was a classic, at one point I sounded like him, which is hilarious. Kanye had or should I say has the most influence on me producer wise. His beats, samples and instruments he uses are DOPE! Far as song writing, I would have to say Ne-yo. He creates a masterpiece every time and I believe listening to R&B widens your creativity and word play, it brings more passion and feeling into your music.
MuzicNotez: What’s the greatest concert you’ve ever been to or performed?
ZIGG: The greatest concert I ever been to was my first show I headlined myself. The energy in the building was amazing! I had my family supporting me, my team was right on stage with me and the fans were just awesome! I really can’t explain the feeling I had that night, hearing everyone in the building singing my songs, people jumping up and down, everyone having a good time just spazzing, really made me realize this is the life that I want, this is what I want to feel every time I step on stage.
MuzicNotez: What’s the ultimate goal you want your music to achieve, or for you to achieve in your career as a musician? Any particular message you wish to send?
The ultimate goal that I want to reach with my music is to be awarded with at least one grammy. That achievement is so huge in my eyes because it takes a normal artist years and years to get a grammy, most don’t even receive one. I feel as though if you win a grammy you put your heart and soul behind your craft. Let’s get this clear, not nominated, I’m talking about winning, I NEED a grammy in my trophy case. Something that I can cherish and show my grand children. The message I want to send and the legacy I want to leave is simple, Zigg made great music. I want to be the best, I want to grow as a musician and not just a rapper. I want to touch every genre of music I possibly can touch, I want to reach out to the world and not just my city. Doing that takes hard work and dedication, and I’m willing to dedicate my life to living that dream.
MuzicNotez: You recently released your single ‘Don’t Judge Me’, as the title would suggest there’s an obvious meaning behind this song. What motivated this track?
ZIGG: It’s a mixture of things that motivated and inspired this track. I feel as though within the rap game right now people only listen to a certain type of song. I feel as though a lot of upcoming artist are trying to sound like what’s on the radio and producers are creating beats that sound similar to what’s on the radio as well. I’ve grown into a artist that strives to be different, a artist that prides himself to create his own lane. I hate when I hear someone with the same flow as another artist, it gets under my skin, but hey who am I to judge? That’s where the inspiration came from. I feel as though one of the reasons I’m not getting noticed or recognized is because I want to be different, I don’t want to make trap music, I don’t want to make every song about twerking, every song will not be a club banger because I believe with music it’s more than that, it’s more than pleasing everyone else, it’s about what you like and a art of who you are. So “Don’t Judge Me” for being me.
MuzicNotez: You’re working on a new project called ‘Thank You For Listening 3’. When can we expect this to drop? How’s this differ from previous releases?
ZIGG: Thank You For Listening 3 will be released late April early May. I want this project to be filled with hits only. No filler tracks, just songs that gives the listener “that feeling” so every track will be well polished and I will take my time on it. This is different from every other project because it will show growth as an artist, as a musician, and also growth as a producer.
MuzicNotez: Can you tell us anything about what we can expect to hear from ‘Thank You For Listening 3’? What’s the overall message coming from this?
ZIGG: Expect to hear classics, Every verse will be lyrically lethal. Every track will make you nod your head, scrunch your face and make the listener push that replay button. The overall message for this project will be, Im the next big thing, so grab your popcorn and prepare for a great show!
What is your writing style like? Do you create all of your beats?
ZIGG: My writing style is pretty simple. Depending on what mood I’m in or what inspiration I have at the moment will help me create that song. I don’t create all of my beats but the mass majority I do. I like to work with my manager/engineer on beats as well because he has some bangers so working as a team is really beneficial. I linked up with other producers as well, but if it’s not my own then it has to hit me from the start. I believe my best songs are produced by myself, because as I write I can create the beat at the same time, it’s easier this way because it gives me an idea what to add and take out.
MuzicNotez: What else are you working on? What can we expect to see and hear from you in the future? Any music videos?
ZIGG: Right now my main focus is the project. If artist hit me up for a feature then I would be glad to do it. I always appreciated someone asking me to feature on their tracks. That’s an honor. Me and my team are setting up video shoots as we speak. I like to have a lot of input on videos because people are so creative. The most creative ones are those who don’t try to be. It’s an amazing feeling when someone can put your words into a visual.
MuzicNotez: Anything else you wish to say about yourself or your music? Any message for your fans?
ZIGG: I just want to say thank you to all of those who have been supporting me and my dream, thank you to everyone who believe in me, thank you to all those who said I could not do it as well, believe it or not, they are the biggest inspiration. Also, stay tuned for Thank You for Listening 3 and check out my single “Don’t Judge Me”