Today we’d like to introduce you to Papa Zaniel.
Hi Papa, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Being born in Montreal, Canada, my first language is French. My mother moved us to the States when I about four years old and I eventually learned English within a year or two. I recall the first song I ever heard and understood in English was “Thong Song” by Sisqo. I also recall the first rap song I ever heard and understood was “Da Rockwilder” by Method Man & Redman. I was enamored by the technical skill of spitting verses and going back and forth with no recognizable chorus. Of course, I didn’t understand the culture they were referencing or what thongs were because I was like six, but sonically I was hooked. My older brother was also fan and consumer of Hip-Hop music, so I had an advantage of listening to all of his CDs and cassette tapes… and I do mean all of them. I had access to Jodeci, Rakim, Dr. Dre, DMX, Jay-Z, Biggie, Wu-Tang Clan, A Tribe Called Quest (Never listened until college, actually) Aaliyah, Destiny’s Child, Freeway, The Fugees, Big Pun, Nas, Ludacris, Eminem, Twista, Missy Elliot, Timbaland, Magoo, Talib Kweli, Lauryn Hill, Angie Martinez, Ginuwine, Busta Rhymes, N’Sync, Backstreet Boys, P!nk, SWV, 702, Heavy D, Nelly, and a lot more that escapes my memory.
Studying music on a historic timeline has always been the tool to help me keep track of albums, new artists, samples, and discographies. The main attribute that allowed me to look at Hip-Hop and R&B in a much different light was demographics. Understanding where artists and groups were from and how culture was represented in those areas taught me a lot about people. The different attitudes, the swagger, the jewelry, the music styles, the influences were all under my scope as someone studied music to the point I was motivated to do it myself. At this point, being in 5th grade, finding my way through poetry, reading the dictionary, and performing in school talent shows, I took every chance I could to sharpen my sword. Being in college at FSU (Florida State University) and participating in C.Y.P.H.E.R., which was a registered student organization on campus, taught me the fundamentals of Hip-Hop. The four pillars being Break Dancing, Deejaying, Graffiti and Emceeing, I was able to take on a leadership position and turn around and teach Hip-Hop as a culture to other students and locals alike. Releasing music projects, performing on stages, and participating in rap ciphers became very natural for me.
Now I’m at a point where I understand the business side of music. In turn, I am putting my best foot forward in pursuit of my music being heard and accepted by the masses.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all… I lost my mother in 2015, three days before my 23rd birthday. Already losing my grandfather and other uncles and aunts in my family, safe to say I’ve been through a lot. It never deterred me from making the best art I could make, but that life event in particular, made me question everything. I’ve never had anxiety in my life, but after I lost my mom, I became anxious in a different way. I started to take my mortality seriously. Witnessing police brutality and constant death in our community as a black man living in America, I vowed to make my impression on the world before I die… Cause it could have been any one of us.
I am someone who believes in prayer and also the will of self. After dealing with a certain level of grieving, I had to pick myself up and figure out how to put one foot in front of the other. I decided to choose. Making choices in what type of music I wanted to create for others to consume, what my look what be, even choosing how public I wanted my real life to be… I chose music. That allowed me to keep myself going.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’ve always just called myself a rapper because it’s what I can showcase by playing a few songs depending on the interaction. The way Rap is subcategorized nowadays, I’ve understood my role in being a songwriter, producer, performer on stage, and a recording artist in the studio. A friend of mine recently said to me, “Your personality is your art.” I was dumbfounded because I never looked at it that way, but they were right. I’ve always taken constructive feedback well from my peers and consumers alike, and I feel like I am in my right timing because of it.
Since finding my artistry in sound and in aesthetics, I’m ready to hit the stages and be in front of the cameras!!! I know what the Hip-Hop and Rap game comes with, and honestly, we have seen an entire history before this moment of examples of what to do and what not to do in our culture. We revere certain artists and have strong opinions about others, and at the end of it all, we’re all humans… I’m just trying to take what I’ve learned and do a good job while giving y’all my best in music.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I have always found it funny how people equate risk and chance. In my opinion, risk taking is necessary. If you don’t F*** around, you’ll never find out. I’ve learned this the easy way, and I’ve learned this the hard way. The hard way was me not taking calculated risks. I was just all willy nilly taking chances, doing my best in spaces where my best wasn’t a requirement. Notice I wasn’t taking uncalculated risks, as I’ve always felt like I have a lot to lose… I got so much more to say in my lifetime.
I’m not a gambling person but I look at risks in life like gambling. Do I have enough to go back to the ATM and get more if I lose? Not only do I have enough… Do I truly want to go down a certain route if I don’t win? Yes, it would be great if I won, but first let me learn how to play before I jump in with all my coins.
Contact Info:
- Website: PapaZaniel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/papazaniel/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PapaZaniel/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/thepapazaniel
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@papazaniel
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/papazaniel
Image Credits
AsteMariii ByeByeRichie
