Hip hop artiste Zamaera aims to spread her feel-good vibe with her new album and nationwide tour
YOUNG, spunky and armed with a penchant for performing, Zamaera delivered a confident showcase recently to introduce her debut EP, titled Z.
The hip hop artiste rapped seamlessly onstage and delivered some soulful belting as well while accompanied by a live band made up of a drummer, bassist and keyboard player.
She performed four songs — Z Vs Z, Truth, KMS and Almost — effortlessly in the cozy confines of a TGV cinema hall in 1Utama, Petaling Jaya.
Back in 2017, she got local hip hop fans excited with her groovy independent released tunes, Wanita and Helly Kelly.
The 23-year-old rapper from Subang Jaya is no slouch on the mic as a viral clip of her Yo! MTV Rap Asia Raps cypher battle last year would attest to her skills.
RHYTHMIC STORYTELLING
For Zamaera, rap is a form of rhythmic poetry and an expression of storytelling.
It’s a form of expression and I use it to tell my stories,” she says in a rapid fire pace.
The playful rapper then cheekily alternates her speaking voice from a British accent to an American drawl before spicing it up with some ebonics.
“It’s all about having fun and expressing yourself in various ways to get the message across. It’s like an alter ego to explore the different sides of me,” she says with a smile.
On writing her own material, she says: “My writing style is very self reflective and it comes from my background in storytelling. I used to be a competitive storyteller in primary school.”
FUN AND RELATABLE
Zamaera also sees music as the best way to unite people and to relate ideas.
“I want to portray a story in the best way possible. One thing I notice in my travels is that everyone you meet, regardless of our differing culture, religion, ethnicity and what not, is that we all have the same emotions. And that’s why we can relate to and like the same song,” she says.
Zamaera’s goal is also to entertain people and to spread some much-needed good vibes.
“I want to make people feel good. There’s nothing better than making people feel like they don’t have to worry about whatever issues they have in their lives, even if it’s just for 30 minutes and making them part of the experience. That’s what I want to do with my music.”
She adds that it shouldn’t be a complicated matter. “Music is supposed to be fun and reflective of what you feel.”
POSITIVE GROWTH
Zamaera, who has performed at Good Vibes Fest 2018 and was the first female hip hop act to perform in Singapore’s Baybeats 2018, further describes her musical style as something that’s natural and constantly growing.
The theme of her new EP is about positive growth and progression.
“All the songs reflect the different aspects of my life that have seen growth. Some of the elements I sing about are about my past versus my present, as well as my belief and my consciousness and asking question about spirituality. There’s also a love song about people I love and loved,” she says.
In an effort to create a distinct and international sound, Zamaera, who is signed to Lakefront Records, worked with American producer, Floyd “Timeless” Thomas.
The EP also featured live performances by the Chicago-based string-driven ensemble, Matt Jones Orchestra.
NATIONWIDE TOUR
The feisty rapper will be spreading her positivity during her upcoming nationwide tour.
A collaboration between her record label, which has come up with the LFx (Lakefront Xperience) format, and TGV Cinemas, Zamaera’s tour will take her to Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Baru and Miri.
The concerts at selected TGV Cinemas is set to happen next month and in May.
Her hour-long live concerts with a band are expected to be raw, fluid, intimate and heartfelt affairs, featuring her new material and older hits, carried out in a 7.1 surround environment with visual accompaniment.
“I’m very excited about the tour and the new release. I’ve been working hard to prepare for this and I hope that people will come and check it out,” says Zamaera, who snazzily brings the conversation to an end with, “after all, all you need is Z (zee).”
Pre-orders for Zamaera’s debut EP, Z, are currently available. Physical copies will include a documentary, titled The Chicago Sessions, which takes viewers through the recording process of Z and also features the Matt Jones Orchestra.
The EP will officially drop on March 29 and will then be available on iTunes and all streaming platforms as well.