K.ZIA is a Berlin & Dakar-based, Brussels-born, a world-raised multi-talented artist known for her captivating and emotive performances, visuals and music. She boasts a unique and soulful voice that showcases her wide range of musical influences, blending elements of R&B, soul, pop, and Afrobeats to create a sound that is contemporary and timeless often incorporating elements of community and togetherness. Today the outstanding artist is releasing a new EP: Kintsugi Heart!
“After struggling with depression for the first time in 2020, I embarked on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual reconnection. I travelled, practised sports, and wrote extensively to understand my life’s purpose and spiritual state. Through these experiences, I was able to heal myself and create a potion that I hope will help others heal too. “Kintsugi Heart” – from the Japanese pottery practice Kintsugi where they mend broken pieces with golden glue is a metaphor for embracing our flaws and imperfections and emerging from difficult times more beautiful with our scars.
This EP is the acknowledgement of a time of deep sadness, accepting it, expressing it and healing from it. It is a journey through love, struggle, darkness, introspection, growth and light. It is the final burial of my depression and the Panacea to hopefully prevent another.”
www.instagram.com/kzia.world
linktr.ee/kzi.a
Photo by @bodisamba. Shoes by @drmartensofficial
Born to a Martinican father and an internationally acclaimed Belgo-Congolese artist mother Zap Mama), K.ZIA’s upbringing exposed her to a diverse array of cultures and music, which is evident in her artistry. Raised on stage, she honed her skills singing backing vocals on tour with her mother and performing alongside her father in spectacular shows.
In 2017, K.ZIA moved to Berlin to pursue her career as an independent artist and released her debut EP “RED” in 2018. She has since been invited to perform across the globe, both as a headliner and opening act for notable artists like Sampa The Great, Omar Lyefook, Tayla Parx, Kota the Friend and more as well as collaborated with artists from all genres and generations.
KB: You’ve drawn quite a lot of inspiration from personal experiences for this EP. What drove you to use your own mental health struggles?
Authenticity is something that is extremely important to me. When I write for others I have no problem writing about anything but if it’s my music, it always has to be a true feeling, a true story or something I can stand behind. I believe we artists are responsible for the messages we put out there, and the values we defend. Mental health has been a big topic for me the past few years, I’ve learnt and experienced a lot of different things and realized many of us have a lot going on and feel like we are alone going through most of these things. As humans, we all seek a feeling of belonging somewhere and not being alone. This is why I allow myself to show this vulnerability in public. To express myself sure, but hopefully be able to touch others and make them feel a little less alone.
KB: The EP is an “acknowledgement of sadness”. Did writing the music help you reach that conclusion?
The Ep is the acknowledgement of the depression I got into and got out of. It’s not only the sad part but the whole journey. And creating this project is like the final burial of this depression I experiences a few years back.
KB: Generally, would you classify “sadness” as something negative?
I don’t like being sad. But somehow I think it may be necessary to process certain things like Frustration or loss.. and I believe life is about balance. Without the lows, there are no highs.
If we look at the word negative it means the absence of something. Sadness is the absence of happiness, right?
KB: How did you incorporate and create the visuals with the EPs message?
For the visuals of the EP different things can be noticed. The EP ARTWORK is a portrait of me, but if you look closely, you see I have scars/scarifications on my face. This is my reinterpretation of the Japanese Kintsugi practice – The scars that make you more beautiful. Scarification is a traditional practice in many African countries used to beautify or convey messages. I loved the idea of interpreting this throughout different cultures.
When you take a look at the RISE music video, you can notice it’s very dark with always a light as constant focus, that amplifies itself… Becomes bigger and bigger to burst out! This is the moment of enlightenment, the ascension in the whole story. I wanted us to really feel the beauty that can come out of darkness + light. Again, our scars make us more beautiful.
Lastly in the Kintsugi Heart music video, you are introduced to two different universes. The Material world and the subconscious. The “ME” in my head is singing to the outside me, and giving it love and strength to overcome the challenges. Once again the light comes from within to overcome and emerge from difficult times.
KB: When playing the tracks live, do you feel thrown back in time, or do you look at the lyrics differently now?
That’s the crazy thing is that I wrote some of these songs a little while back and somehow they manage to help me with certain things im going through today still. The Whole EP reflects the metaphor of the Kintsugi Art-form; A Japanese pottery practice where broken cups or plates are put back to gather with golden glue, it’s a metaphor for embracing our scars and imperfections and emerging from difficult times more beautiful with our learnings. Still today I try to live by those values and really take the best out of all that happens to me. So when Simon stage I am completely in the mindset still yes. Cause I’m living that story still, that’s why I am on stage touring actually because I decided to RISE and decided to TRUST myself again.
KB: You’re an independent artist. Does that give you more creative freedom?
There is definitely something empowering about being an independent artist. It’s me and my art, with no one telling me I can or cannot release this or that. The freedom of expression is very real, and a lot of fun. The downside though is that it’s also you and YOUR WALLET haha meaning there can be a lot of limitations interfering with the creativity because of a lack of capital. This is why I’m so grateful for the community I have supporting me. Whether executives or creatives, whether during the music creation phase or the promotion phase, I’m so grateful for the love I get from entities like you guys @Kaltblut who have been supporting me for several years now, or Brands like Doc Martens on this specific project.
KB: You’ve collaborated with the iconic British brand Dr Martens. How did that collaboration come about, and how would you reflect on it now?
The collab with Dr Martens first started with their campaign Tough As You where alongside industry-established mentors, (Kelvyn Colt in my case) they funded and increased access to creative opportunities for under-represented talent. But then the collaboration continued and ended up being a lot more than just a one-time opportunity. They really wanted to give me the chance to execute my vision without having to worry about costs and be able to express my artistic mind without limitations.
The thing I found the most surprising with this collab is that the brand didn’t try to take the label’s place or impose an agenda. They really trusted me to do what I found was best without putting their interest first, and truly asking “How can we support you ?” I feel a genuine will of wanting to give opportunities to the less heard to leave their mark rather than the profit of the coolness of working with artists, like many brands tend to do.
KB: How has Dr Martens changed your journey?
I wouldn’t say this collab’ changed my journey per se, I am on my path regardless cause that’s how I was built, but Doctor Martens definitely increased the machine power, helped me reach higher grounds and also left me feeling like it was not only Artists and activists that are trying to make this world a better place praising love, fun & community – Some brands believe in that too.
In January 2022, K.ZIA released her first full-length album, “Genesis,” which showcases her
evolution as an artist and introduces her French-singing alter ego “ZIA.” Accompanied by a
visually stunning universe, the album has garnered over 1 million streams in just a few
months, receiving critical acclaim and solidifying her status as a rising star in her niche and
home country.
K.ZIA’s goal is to create art that fuses cultures, and genres, brings people from different
backgrounds together to celebrate music, and love, and creates a safe space for self-expression.
www.instagram.com/kzia.world
linktr.ee/kzi.a
