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2 June 2025

Every Monday I will be bringing you an interview with an independent band, duo or music artist. This week, I caught up with London artist Zoka The Author to find out more…

Where are you from and how did you first get into music?
I’m from Leytonstone, East London, and I’ve loved music’s ability to transport you to another world for as long as I can remember. One of my earliest memories is listening to classical composers like Beethoven and Mozart and imagining the stories their music was telling. That love for world-building is what also drew me to writing. As a kid, I was obsessed with fantasy books, and I initially wanted to be a novelist – hence the name Zoka The Author.

But as I got older (and maybe a little lazier – novels take a long time to write), I started moving away from fiction and towards poetry. Poetry felt more therapeutic; I could express what I was feeling in a way that felt immediate and complete. Around the same time, I was introduced to hip hop, and I quickly fell in love. Artists like Kendrick Lamar and Lupe Fiasco showed me that the line between poetry and rap wasn’t as stark as I’d thought.

This is when the idea of becoming a rapper started to take shape, but because of my mental health at the time, I didn’t have the confidence to pursue it seriously. It wasn’t until years later – after therapy, and while studying English and Creative Writing at university – that everything changed. I was still writing poetry, but the audience felt too niche. I wanted to reach more people. So I tried writing a poem to a beat to give it more rhythm, cadence, and structure – and just like that, I was rapping. That’s when I felt something click: rapping was all I wanted to do from that moment, and I haven’t looked back since.

Who were your musical influences when you were growing up and who are your influences now?
Growing up, my musical influences were pretty eclectic. As a young child, my Italian mother surrounded me with classical music – composers like Beethoven, Mozart and Tchaikovsky – which really shaped my appreciation for storytelling through sound. At the same time, my Nigerian dad introduced me to a lot of R&B, New Jack Swing, and some pop too – artists like Usher and Michael Jackson, whose vocal precision and immaculate performances entranced and inspired me.

But the real shift happened when I discovered hip hop. Artists like Lupe Fiasco, Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole were huge for me. They showed me that rap could be poetic, thought-provoking and emotionally resonant – that it could be about more than just punchlines or bravado. Lupe’s wordplay, Kendrick’s storytelling, and J. Cole’s introspection all pushed me to take writing seriously, and to see lyricism as an art form in itself.

Now, my influences have expanded. I still look up to those artists, but I’m also inspired by musicians who blend genres and push creative boundaries – people like Little Simz, Mac Miller, Childish Gambino, Tyler the Creator, and Frank Ocean. I’m drawn to artists who aren’t afraid to build their own world, aesthetically and lyrically, and who approach their work like it’s a universe you can step into. That’s what I aim to do with my own music.

How would you describe your sound?
I’d describe my sound as emotionally-driven, lyrically dense hip hop that sits at the intersection of poetry, jazz, soul, and alternative rap. At surface level, it might feel catchy or even playful, but underneath there are always layers—of meaning, emotion, and thought. I like to call it “Iceberg Music”: what you hear at first is just the tip, but there’s a whole world underneath for people who want to dive deeper.

Musically, I work with a lot of live instrumentation and sample-based production, which gives my songs a sense of warmth and history. Lyrically, I’m always trying to tell stories – whether that’s my own, or tapping into broader themes around mental health, identity, or connection. I want people to feel something when they hear my music, and maybe even learn something about themselves in the process.

What is your latest release called and what was the influence behind it?
My latest release is called you don’t wanna know. It’s a simmering anthem of suppressed fury – part warning, part declaration. At its heart, it’s about the emotional weight of having to smile through pain, especially when that pain is caused by systems designed to keep people like you quiet or small. It’s for everyone who’s had to swallow microaggressions, code-switch to survive, or wear a mask just to get through the day.

The song blends the personal and the political. On the surface, it’s packed with punchlines and wordplay, but underneath, it wrestles with themes of racial injustice, emotional survival, and the kind of internal battles that build up in silence until they can’t be contained anymore.

The production, by the incredible Origamik, starts as a simmering threat – nocturnal jazz textures and trap drums – before erupting into explosive rage in the second half, with drill percussion and lo-fi samples. That shift gave me the space to channel all that rage, grief, and quiet resilience into something powerful. It’s definitely one of the rawest tracks I’ve ever put out.

We also released a music video which I co-directed with filmmaker Christian Daniels. It’s surreal, symbolic, and very performance-led – designed to expand the visual world of the song and add even more layers of meaning. This track marks the beginning of a new chapter in my sound and kicks off a run of standalone singles I’ll be releasing while I work toward my debut album, He Who Wants Everything.

What’s your local music scene like?
I’d say the local music scene in East London is rich, diverse, and constantly evolving. There are a couple of pockets that can feel a bit cliquey, where people lead with ego or self-interest, but I’ve been lucky to find corners where genuine community is being built – spaces full of incredibly talented people lifting each other up.

There’s a real DIY spirit here – people putting on their own nights, collaborating across genres, and finding creative ways to build platforms for themselves and each other. You’ll hear everything from grime to jazz to alternative rap to experimental soul, often in the same room, sometimes on the same lineup, and I love that.

There’s also a real hunger to say something meaningful. A lot of the artists I know aren’t just driven by vibes, but by purpose – talking about mental health, identity, politics, love, community. It feels like everyone’s working towards something bigger than themselves.

That said, it can still be hard to break through unless you already have certain connections or resources, so there’s definitely a need for more infrastructure and investment. But I think that struggle also pushes people to be more creative. The scene is filled with resilience, and I’m proud to be a part of it.

What do you have planned for the next 12 months?
Over the next 12 months, I’m focused on building momentum around my upcoming debut album, He Who Wants Everything. I’ll be releasing a series of standalone singles that will help to establish my sonic identity, giving listeners a taste of what’s to come while I continue crafting the full project. Alongside that, I’m diving deep into the visual side of things – co-directing videos and refining the aesthetic that will define this next chapter of my career.

I also want to keep connecting with audiences through live shows and collaborations, especially working with musicians across genres to keep pushing my sound forward. Beyond that, I’m committed to growing my community – both with fans and fellow artists – by sharing more of the stories behind my music and the real conversations that inspire it.

It’s going to be a year of growth, exploration, and making sure that everything I put out feels like a meaningful step forward. I’m excited for what’s ahead.

Is there anyone you’d love to collaborate with?
There are definitely a few artists and producers I’d love to collaborate with because they inspire me creatively and share a commitment to authenticity and pushing boundaries. Someone like Little Simz, for example – her storytelling and fearless approach to music really resonate with me. I’d also love to work with Kojey Radical or Che Lingo – I just think they’re 2 of the best lyricists this country has to offer. I also admire producers like Venna, Inflo, and RK Beats for their genre-blending sounds, use of live instrumentation and jazzy textures, and general innovative approach, which I think could bring a fresh dynamic to my music.

Beyond big names, I’m always open to collaborating with emerging talent and musicians from different genres – whether it’s jazz, soul, or experimental sounds – because that’s where new ideas and unique energy come from. Artists like Mar!k, Broken Pen, Tee Peters, Dia Day, Aaliyah Zhane, Obi, Lemzi, (to name just a few) are all on my radar to work with. Collaboration, to me, is about connection and growth, and I’m excited about whatever creative chemistry can happen next.

Any funny stories surrounding your live performances?
One time when we were opening for Enny & Steam Down, the electric drum kit my drummer was using just cut out mid-set – total technical meltdown. We kept going with no drums, leaning into the raw emotion of the moment. Meanwhile, my drummer got up, walked over to the full kit Steam Down were set to use later, and just as the song reached its climax… he went absolutely ham. It was chaotic, but in the best way. That scramble brought this wild, live energy that the crowd really connected with. Moments like that remind me why I love performing – you never quite know what’s going to happen, but you’ve gotta roll with it and make it work.

What is the one thing that you want readers to know about you?
The one thing I’d want readers to know about me is that everything I create is rooted in honesty. Whether it’s a hard truth, a quiet vulnerability, or just something weird and playful, I try to approach it all with intention and authenticity. I’m not interested in following trends or making music just to feed an algorithm – I care about storytelling, connection, and making work that leaves an impact. Beneath the punchlines and the wordplay, I’m always trying to say something real.

You can find out more about Zoka The Author via Apple Music, Instagram, Spotify, TikTok, YouTube (channel) or YouTube Music.