What city are you from/ Where are you based now?
I’m from Montreal, Canada currently residing in Miami, FL.
What is your artist name? What is your real name? How did you get your artist name?
Artist name – Zaniyah
Real Name – Johanna
Zaniyah is Aztec for “Forever/Always”. I chose that name after realizing the power in my passion. I will leave a legacy behind me and become immortalized through art.
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music?
I’ve actually started my music journey at the age of 6. My father, after seeing my potential, enrolled me to a music school where I then learned to play the piano and sing.
Has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound today? If so, how?
My personal life has nothing to do with my music, I may write an occasional heartbreak song about an ex, but I try not to let my home define my sound. My sound is just an eclectic mix of all my influences.
How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?
Iridescent and familiar.
What ultimately inspired you to dedicate yourself to a music career?
The sudden realization that I could follow my dreams and still make a living wage, instead of having to report into an office and hate every aspect of ‘my career’.
What’s one reason you are passionate about music and what inspires you?
Music is a ‘universal language’, my passion for music stems from the unprovoked emotion I’ve seen it bring out of people from all walks of land.
Experience inspires me.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
I pole dance, roller blade, and love tennis. I read and write often, and am an author with a publication on Amazon (“The Pussy Pocketbook”). To keep creativity flowing I must live a spontaneous lifestyle; experience is my inspiration.
What were you doing before music?
Planning my world domination.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
Bjork, J. Cole, Kanye West, Coldplay
What are some of your music career goals for the future?
I really want to collaborate with Chance the Rapper in my musical lifetime. It’ll also be cool to open for the MTV Awards.
Tell us the name of the project you are currently promoting? What inspired this project?
‘Days Well Spent’
Post-pandemic life has been filled with me appreciating so many things I took for granted (fresh air, blue skies, human touch etc.). That appreciation lead me to want to express how life is filled with so many beautiful moments. Nature, life, and the deep feelings of gratitude all inspired this project.
Date that this project dropped or is set to drop?
Released —— June 2nd, 2021
What is this project about in your own words?
DWS is about the motions of life and the way we react to them. It deconstructs the idea that life is just about ‘being happy’ and opens a floodgate of different emotions (betrayal, obsession, addiction) all still so important in the human experience, all giving their own necessary knowledge.
Is there a specific song on this project that speaks to you most? If so, what’s It called and what’s it about?
Devil Dances; its was originally written as my farewell to music.
What’s one of your most proud moments of your music career so far?
I pride myself for quality performances. My proudest moment would have to be when I was contracted to do a live internationally streamed performance during the pandemic.
What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects we should be on the lookout for? Include some dates if you have them.
Christmas 2021
What message do you hope fans take away from your music and from this project?
I hope people can leave understanding its okay to ‘feel’. Existence isn’t about perfection and constant highs, respect the rollercoaster.
Where can we follow you on social media? Include links.
Instagram @ZaniyahJPG
TikTok @ZaniyahJean
