Following our review of the album Just Poetry, we interviewed the artist and rapper that is Zenlee to find out more about his journey so far and his aspirations as an artist. Here’s the conversation in full.
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Hey – thanks for the interview, and congrats on the album. For those who don’t know, how long have you been making music, and what does this latest project mean to you?
It’s my pleasure to be doing this interview. I’ve been making music as a hobby on an infrequent basis since the early 2000’s. For the past 2 years, I have been doing it on a much grander scale as I worked on my latest project, Just Poetry.
Just Poetry is my showcase of our poetic capability. I’ve always viewed music and hip hop as a form of poetry. Rhymes fascinate me. I wanted to gift the world with hip hop music from a more poetic viewpoint. The album definite is a roller-coaster of emotions. You might say it’s very bi-polar, as there are polarizing viewpoints—from the demand for peace to the outright declaration of war. But I wanted Just Poetry to be an accurate reflection of life and being versatile as an artist is definitely necessary to capture those reactions.
Who or what inspires you the most to make this kind of music?
Most of my music is based on my own personal experiences. The more impact that an experience, topic or interest has on me, the better chance there is that I will be able to use that emotional hit and channel it into a passionate piece of hip hop music. I’m lead by my own desires to write and get lost in beats as I’m in my studio.
If people only have time to check out one track, which would you recommend, and why?
Track 13 – World War 3 is probably the most epic track on the album and I would definitely choose that track for people to listen. The person mentioned in the track is part of the reason why I was on the run in the first place as I was finishing my album. I spent 2 weeks in jail because of the track, pre-conviction mind you, but there’s actually a deeper meaning than being just mean and angry. World War 3 attempts to highlight problems often faced in society with racism and discrimination being a big issue. The track is my warning as the world is driven to hate and discriminate, that their actions could lead them down a very slippery slope. Definitely check out the track and let me know what you think.
The recording of World War 3 was an amazing experience. Don Bun King and I were in the studio with the mic set to the very minimum. The recording was still coming full-blast. After the recording, we were listening to the track and having a good time. We always have a great time in the studio.
Is live performance a big part of your plans?
I definitely want to perform more songs live. There’s nothing more thrilling than being on stage and hearing the crowd reaction. If anybody is interested in my performance, hit me up at zenlee@sunrizeangkor.com.
If you could perform at any event or venue in the world, which would you choose, and why?
Rebel Nightclub in Toronto and the Royale Nightclub in Boston are at the top of my list. The venue look amazing and I can see myself and club goers having an amazing time there.
What’s next for you, and what’s the bigger picture?
I’m working on pushing music streaming/sales right now and also working on more music. If you like our music and want us to keep going, support our work by streaming or purchasing tracks from the following sources:
iTunes, Spotify, Tidal, Amazon.
Is there anything else we should know?
I’m interested in working with other artists in the local area and around the world. If you’re a new artist, or experienced, send me an email and let’s connect: zenlee@sunrizeangkor.com.
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Download the album via iTunes or Tidal. Find & follow Zenlee on Facebook, YouTube & Instagram.
