We had the good fortune of connecting with DJ Zenas and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi DJ Zenas, how do you define success?
How I define success has evolved drastically over the years. As an aspiring musician, I used to think that to “make it” was to sign a major record label deal and become a superstar overnight. Having your name everywhere in bright lights, performing at sold out arenas, everyone in the world knowing your name. I mean that’s the dream, right? I’m sure this is how most people perceive success in the music industry. This, however, could not be more far from the truth.
We currently function in a very DIY culture nowadays and that has impacted the music industry in ways like never before. Independence is widely embraced and labels are becoming more obsolete by the day. Not saying that labels don’t still serve a purpose, but with the internet and social media anything is possible.
That said, I have been massively inspired by the many success stories of artists thriving independently, such as Chance The Rapper. The idea that I can “make it” and do it on my own terms gives me hope every single day. I don’t have to be a Drake, DaBaby, or any other big name artist to be successful in my own eyes. As long as I can make a living solely based on my passion, pursue my purpose of creating great art while also helping others, support those closest to me, and not have to depend on anything or anyone else to do so, what more could I potentially ask for? If that were the case this very moment, I would have made it in my book.
Unfortunately, I am not there yet but I am certainly working on it. I will be there soon. Manifesting every bit of it.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a DJ, producer, songwriter, and recording artist, I like to think of myself as a jack of all trades. I take a lot of pride in being multi-faceted and functioning in every space outside of a box. If it’s Hip-Hop, R&B, Pop, Afrobeats, Reggaton, EDM, and everywhere in between, I never limit myself in regards to creating. I believe growing up in Denver and having parents who had a wide palette for music helped expose me to a lot of greatness early on, which translated to myself as an artist. The art I create is highly dependent upon my mood at the time but it always consists of intent and positivity. Whether I am creating for the purpose of raising awareness for social justice issues (including partnering with the Recording Academy’s MusiCares organization to donate all proceeds of my single “Rona” towards COVID-19 Relief) or sharing my experiences relating to the stock market and how important it is to invest, the messages I drive are to be the change and inspire others to do the same.
Today, I am proud of the artist and person I have become but am still excited to continue to grow and see how my journey continues to evolve. I have done some amazing things in my career, such as playing different clubs and festivals around the world (including touring Europe in 2018) and meeting many amazing celebrities and industry professionals along the way. However, it has not been easy by any means. As a creative, I believe the hardest part about it all is finding a healthy balance between pursuing your purpose and functioning in the world. What I mean by that is one still has to make a living and art is not the easiest thing to monetize. Establishing my financial stability has been key. But also, the biggest factor in success is resilience. The ability to endure and continuing to press forward, even when the odds are against you, is what separates the few from the many.
That said, I do believe I’ve had great success in my career but I also believe I haven’t even scratched the surface of my potential. There’s plenty of goals I have, both short-term and long-term, and I am currently doing everything possible to make them a reality. I can’t say when they will come to fruition but I can say that I am easily creating the best music of my career to date. I cannot wait to share it with the world soon. I am inching closer to the dream every day and anticipate some big changes here in the near future. Stay tuned.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Man, having moved away from Colorado I am honestly out of the loop on a lot things. However, I obviously have my go-to’s every time I do visit. I am fond of bonding over food and drinks so if I were to show a best friend around the area that would occupy most of the itinerary. Welton Street Cafe without a doubt would be the first stop on the list. Those honey hot wings are LEGENDARY! Chubby’s would probably be the next stop. Green chile is non-existent here in Texas so a smothered burrito would be a requirement. Also, Cherry Cricket for obvious reasons. After having overindulged we would eventually take a lighter approach and head to Watercourse. For things to do, Red Rocks, the Manitou Incline, Royal Gorge, and the hot springs would definitely be on the list for the outdoors. Finally, for day drinking and nightlife, I don’t have any places in particular in mind but you could count on a plethora of breweries.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, I have to give my praise to the most high. I am a firm believer in expressing gratitude as often as possible and I have so much to be grateful for. None of it would be possible without a higher power looking out for me. I also want to give a huge shoutout to my mother for always supporting and encouraging my dreams, regardless of how wild or misguided my journey may have been along the way. Thank you to my person for always being a fan, listening to each and every one of the records I throw at you, pushing my boundaries and inspiring me to be better, and riding with me always. Thank you to my family and friends for the endless support and knowing the exact words to say when I need them most. And last but not least, thank you to all of the outlets who have taken the time to cover myself or my music, including you Shoutout Colorado. Everyone mentioned knows how much I appreciate them. If not, they do now. You’re only as strong as your team is, and I’ve got a great cast alongside me.
Website: http://officiallyzenas.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officiallyzenas/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/officiallyzenas
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXuz5ohbPrRcM51AsxvG-zg
Image Credits
Richard Stokes