Meet Brooklyn Rapper Zay From The Stuy

Q: Think about someone or something that may have inspired you to make music. Who was or what was it?

ZayFromTheStuy: I would say just seeing how I grew up and from a young age realizing what making music can do for someone, how it can change person life, from the moment I heard rap music it hit me different, how niggas was talking what they spoke about and how they worded it, just watching music videos and seeing the nice cars, the jewelry  but then actually growing love for the craft of rap, knowing i have a god-given talent , doing it for my family is what really inspires me

Q: What accomplishments do you see yourself achieving in the next 5 to 10 years?

ZayFromTheStuy: in the next 5 to 10 years, I see myself as one of the biggest headliners in music, but also a wise businessman, with multiple sources of wealth coming in, the goal is to be able to put everyone around me in a position to win.

Q: How would you describe the music that you typically create?

ZayFromTheStuy: i would describe my music as a venture through the lifestyle of a young black man grown up in the streets of Bedstuy while reaping the benefits of luxury, the cars, the clothes, the money, it at times could make you wanna think about your life, make you sit back and think about your accomplishments, or just cruise down the block with the top down feel me, its the smoothest most player shit out and in my opinion is the shit that the game been missing for years now.

Q: What is your creative process like?

ZayFromTheStuy: my creative process is pretty simple, all it takes is for me to hear the right beat & immediately bars begin to flow, if im feeling it enough at that moment I could freestyle something, but when the beat is really talking to me, I got to write to it, the process of writing takes no time, and I usually don’t name the track until after its done, there’s always a subconscious story im telling and I wouldn’t even notice it until I tell my guy Ryo play it back for me.

Q: Take us on a journey back to the first song you have ever written. How was that experience? 

ZayFromTheStuy: The first song I ever wrote was called “Star mindframe” it was a cover to JoeyBadass “95 til infinity”, it was a new feeling because this was the first time I was recording in front of people & the first time I got reactions from people about it, the experience was the lit cause, I liked my own shit, so it was a new feeling to see people get hyped up over my bars, that moment on I knew I had what it took feel me make it where I wanted to be.

Q: Tell us about your new single?

ZayFromTheStuy: My new single is “Don Corleone” its the first single off of my Stuy Baby 2 project & it’s just me showing the people im back and im better, im more calculated, more structured, and more skilled with this rap shit, and im here to stay, the title comes from the love I have for mafia movies shows, etc. & the Don Corleone himself, being that boss, but not showing the world the boss I am. allowing them to see themselves through the demeanor and swag i carry.

Q: What challenges have you encounter since being a music artist and how have you overcome them?

ZayFromTheStuy: I don’t wanna jinx it but I haven’t really faced any challenges I feel like im going to go as far as I take myself and only I can stop myself, i know harder times will come definitely , but as of right now, I just wanna say im thankful and blessed to be in the position im in currently

Q: Which qualities do you think to make a great musician?

ZayFromTheStuy: DEFINITELY originality, too many artists come out looking the same and sounding the same, but you can’t knock a nigga for his or her work ethic feel me, i feel like the passion and the work  take you where you wanna be, but being a great artist starts with what you like, your ideas your sound, but it’s just mainly the originality for me

Q: Describe your favorite and least favorite part about being a musician.

ZayFromTheStuy: My Least favorite part would have to be dealing with fake ass people, people who just wanna see what you got going on to be in your business, people who don’t support wanting to come around to different functions or events I may attend, it crazy. the women who come along trying to be on a nigga cause they see I got some paper, all that shit is crazy, I just wish people keep the same energy.

Q: What is the best advice you’ve been given?

ZayFromTheStuy: The best advice, I’ve gotten has to just keep going, don’t stop you know? You are already farther than you were when you first started, so why stop. a lot of people get closer to the finish line than they think and just give up, I’ve got plenty of advice but that hit me, and this one is pretty simple but its one that I tell myself a lot

Q: What’s next for you?

ZayFromTheStuy: I just did a show recently on August 27th, currently working on my stuy baby 2 project putting the finish touches on it, I got a cypher coming out the month of September, and a brand new video dropping real soon, and I got another HUGE announcement coming soon everyone just stay tuned in cause this run im about to go on is crazy, we ain’t stopping till we reach the goal, STUY BABY!