Daily Inspiration: Meet Zé

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zé.

Hi Zé, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story starts in Chicago, where I was born and raised. Music was always in my blood. From my parents and my sister playing music in the house 24/7 to me playing in the band at my school, and also my parents being great friends with Ashford and Simpson, where me and my best friend TravQue would perform during their 4th of July parties in Connecticut. . But when I first heard Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z and Bone Thugs in the 2nd grade, they really made me want to be an artist. Music was my passion, but I also had a passion for basketball. I played varsity basketball all through high school career. But one-day things took a turn. My senior year of High School, I was in a car accident with one of my friends. I was badly injured and could not play my last year. This is when I decided to start doing music full-time. All through college I created music with my friend Tone and we performed for frat parties, opened up for concerts, and won a few beat battles we were a part of. I wanted to further my career, and sometimes to do that you have to leave your city to open up more doors. I moved to LA in 2019 and linked back up with my brother TravQue and he introduced me to my manager Cali, and Cali introduced me to DJ Spade. They both took me under their wing and brought me to Drakes house, French Montana’s, and to all of the Travis Scott events. I built genuine friendships with people and just networked. As I started to build a following, I continued to release albums, singles and music videos. Once I dropped songs like “Come Thru” and “Painkiller 2” that’s when the eyes were on me. I started to gain some major attention. This is how I got to where I am at, and I am still climbing the ladder and growing as an artist. My new singles “Entanglement” and “Decline” have been putting up some great numbers and getting a lot of traction. I am blessed to see where I started and to see how far I came along. It’s been a long journey, but if you give up, you will never see your dreams come to fruition. It’s not an easy road, but that makes for a better story.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road is definitely not a smooth one. It is a lot of work and dedication you have to put in. It’s not for the weak. We all want the overnight success, but in actuality, it never happens like that. Not everyone will like your music. There will be times you just want to give up. But you just have to keep going. Especially when you put so much time into it. You have to just keep pushing. When you put that energy out in the universe, you will see things start to shift for you and work in your favor.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an artist. You can classify me as a rapper and singer. I have strong bars and metaphors, along with the melodies. I am known for my major singles “Come Thru” and my “Painkiller” series from my album “Smoking Room Only 3” I am most proud of the numbers and streams that I put up on Spotify this year. That was a major achievement for me. Especially to see my music being played overseas and people telling my in my DM’s on Instagram that I motivate and inspire them. That is the best feeling in the world. I think what sets me apart from others is that I have so many sounds and styles. I am also not scared to step out of my comfort zone and try something new.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Like my brother, TravQue would say “Stay Humble, Stay Working”.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://songwhip.com/ze2
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jedeyegang_ze/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zefanpage
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/jedeyegang_ze
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/fliboize88
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/jedeyegang
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/JedeyeGangClothing?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1237444462

Image Credits
Sav Nakasone