There’s a sharp edge to zekiizo. Her latest track, “Ricochet,” lands with a confrontational energy, a dark pop statement that is playful yet unapologetically aggressive. At first listen, it’s clear that this is a declaration of boundaries, confidence, and control. But what does it take to channel such force without losing the vulnerability that lies beneath the bravado?
“I wrote this song during a period of my life where I was definitely out of control in many ways,” zekiizo admits. “That being said, it was written from almost a fantastical place and definitely stemmed from a part of me that was very real but maybe just not as present. Writing lyrics is always something I love doing because through the zekiizo identity it can be whatever I want. And ZEKIIZO definitely has an intentional character that comes through as confrontational. It’s a big part of who I am as a person, but I will often choose lyrical aggression over vulnerability when I am deeply hurt or in a place that is really difficult.”
This tension between aggression and introspection is central to zekiizo’s artistry. Hailing from Boston and now based in New York City, she has built a reputation as an innovative, self-produced musician whose sound defies simple categorization. Her work blends electronic, indie, and experimental influences, creating a sonic landscape that is as unpredictable as it is immersive.
“That’s a great question [about balancing genre conventions with experimentation], and it’s hard to answer because I am still learning how to do that now,” she says. “I listen to a lot of experimental electronic music that definitely has impacted my own music, however I also love a Top 50 pop song and can totally see and deeply acknowledge the skill it takes to make a track that millions of people will love. As I grow as an artist, there is a lot of music I want to put out that naturally blends these two genres together, like techno, rap, or alternative pop!”
Her approach to production is equally deliberate. As a self-produced artist, zekiizo treats the studio like an extension of her imagination. “I am very, very specific about how I want things to sound. I know what I want, and when I am producing, I will do it myself always. Just like someone who draws or paints, producing music is similar. A good comparison is like if a random stroke of purple somewhere on the canvas was maybe an eerie pad synth running on the top notes of a bass line during a chorus. I think of it the same exact way.”
The attention to detail, however, comes with its own challenges. “Being so technical and wanting to make sure things sound listenable to the ear, you can go insane with the details. It’s important to me to always know when I’m getting stuck in a creative loop and to take a break. Breaks are always good, especially when you are in a period of intense creation. However, making sure not to take too many breaks, as you can lose momentum this way.”
“Ricochet” is more than an exercise in sonic experimentation. It is an exploration of gender roles, power dynamics, and protective energy, themes zekiizo says are emerging more deliberately in her work. “I think this theme of gender roles is something new to me that you will see a lot of in my next project. It’s something, as a woman, I haven’t really expressed, but I love to do in a satirical dark way. I am all about female rage, but in a smart and intentional way—witty, with almost black cat energy.”
That energy is rooted in personal experience. Much of zekiizo’s music draws directly from the events and emotions of her life. “It almost always shapes the stories in my music. My entire album Final Fantasy was about a relationship I was in for a long time, and though it centered about a relationship, it also touched in places on my well-being and how it deeply affected how I saw myself before, during, and after. It really helped mold this zekiizo identity and took what was real and really heightened the themes to another level.”
Her lyrics often strike a balance between self-reflection and theatrical exaggeration. “It depends, and honestly I’m still figuring this out. I am currently working on a new project that is very bold and confident, stemming from entering a new period of my life with new characters and people. I also just got out of college, and things are very adult now. I think that the lyrics and material will always reflect what is going on in my life. And if not, it was written to aid a part of my life and almost romanticize it.”
Influences on zekiizo’s music span both the experimental and mainstream. “I love artists like Laurie Anderson, Björk, Ramsay, Portishead, and Massive Attack. However, I know my music isn’t exactly like theirs; I love the darkness and experimentation found in their music. But as I said before, I also love a hit. So Lady Gaga’s The Fame album is actually one of my most favorite albums, as well as Britney Spears’ Blackout album. The production on those is amazing.”
The evolution of zekiizo as an artist has been shaped not only by the music she consumes but by the cities she inhabits. “When I lived in Boston, I was a teenager, doing teenager things, with the brain and creative capacity of a teenager, haha. Being an adult in NYC is so amazing and painstakingly addicting. Zekiizo has grown the most when I am in cities outside of my own. I lived in Paris for three years before NYC, and both have shaped me deeply.”
Part of zekiizo’s appeal is how she translates her studio energy into live performance. “That’s something I’m still thinking about, and who knows. Live shows are always hard to execute with electronic production, so I often try to run the opposite direction and make live shows have real instrument components to make up for the fact that a show needs to be a show. I really don’t like backing tracks. I have a four-person band, and we play live; however, when we do, it’s always a more trip-hop style version of my music. Taking influence from jazz and rock.”
Despite the growing recognition and an expanding audience, zekiizo emphasizes maintaining control over her artistic vision. “I used to really worry about this because I was really set in what I needed or wanted zekiizo to be. However, in the last five months, I’ve recently started making music that is a little outside my normal stuff, and it’s made me really confident that I can blend something more mainstream with components of me that are still experimental or true. I want to always make music I love, but also love a challenge to make something people will love also. So the question isn’t if I can do it, but rather how do I do it and own it with full commitment and confidence.”
At its core, zekiizo’s work thrives on contradictions. It is aggressive yet introspective, experimental yet pop-forward, darkly satirical yet emotionally authentic. “Ricochet” exemplifies this duality, embodying the frustration, rage, and protective instincts that come with navigating both personal and artistic growth.
The musical landscape today may be defined by formula, but zekiizo refuses to be confined. Her self-produced tracks, bold lyrics, and genre-defying compositions establish her as an artist unafraid to push boundaries while remaining intensely personal. This philosophy reflects both her life and her art, a careful balance of strength, vulnerability, and audacious creativity. As she continues to evolve, one thing remains clear: whether in the studio, on stage, or through the lens of her music, she is crafting a world entirely on her own terms. In that world, boundaries are not just set; they are sung, produced, and performed with fierce, unforgettable energy.
Featured Images: Artist Supplied
