ZAK! Downtown Is NYU’s Newest Rap Sensation
By Myles Tanzer
Rapper, native Manhattanite, and NYU student ZAK! (or Zak Downtown) is trying to take over the rap game. Like a true enigmatic Millennial, he finds his inspiration from Wham!, is a sports management major, and performs his music at nightclubs on the regular. His music is pulled from the spirit of New York and is well produced. He is definitely someone to watch in the coming years as his career is just starting and will only continue to flourish. Our interview with ZAK! after the jump.
Q: Why did you want to come to NYU?
A: I grew up in the city, and I wanted to stay here while going to the best school that I could. Although music comes first, I always have to have a backup plan. But you have to commit to music if you want to be serious.
Q: Being a rapper and student must be hard. How have you found it?
A: I think it’s pretty hard to balance. I’m a junior right now but I should really be a senior. I’m 21, but I’ve been a part time student for a while (taking 9 credits at a time).
Q: What’s your favorite class you’ve taken at NYU?
I’m in the sports management program in SCPS, and I really loved “History of Baseball.” It was great just talking about baseball with a bunch of guys who all love it.
Q: So how did you get into making hip-hop?
A: Well in high school all I listened to was rap. I free-styled a lot at parties, and at first it was just messing around. Then I hooked up with my boy Nick who’s two years older than me. He had a home studio, you know, really low budget stuff. But then I gradually got more serious. A couple of my friends kept saying, “Go for it dude, this is really good.” Music is just such a dope outlet to express whatever, and when I did finally sit down and really make “music” it sounded great. I also just always felt inclined to do something amazing and big for myself, my family and friends. And really just push myself to the limits.
Q: What were you listening to? Who are your influences?
A: So many but mainly old school stuff like Tribe and Wu Tang. In high school I listened to a lot of Kanye and Cam’ron — Uptown guys like that. My brother was really into pop so that influences me a lot as well. I think the fact that I listened to everything molded my sound because its hip-hop, but it’s infused with pop, soul, funk and its got a real eclectic sound.
Q: When do you have more music coming out?
A: My new mixtape will hopefully drop in October. It’ll have 16 tracks made by a lot of NYC producers. DJ FreshDirect is someone who I’ve been working with a lot lately. He’s 19 years old and gives me crazy beats. I’ve been getting beats sent to me now, which is sick. I don’t really have to pay for beats, which is huge. Also pushing forward from here, I was lucky enough to link up with Murda Mook from Ruff Ryders and work with him. I got to see their studio out in Yonkers which was awesome with Gold Records everywhere.
Q: Your video for “Give Me the World” is filmed downtown, is that a place that’s special to you?
A: I was born and raised in the West Village, and I love it. There’s so many people there and everyone’s just trying to do their own thing and trying to keep it real. I think the downtown movement is just about doing whatever you want. That’s why I used to look up to the Reason Clothing guys. So I intend to keep striving and growing as an artist.
Q: I noticed on your website and Twitter, you’re always talking about Reason Clothing. What’s that?
A: It’s a clothing company started by two kids a couple years older than me that went to my high school. Their “Go Love Your Own City” shirt became a big hit. They liked my music and I liked their clothes so the partnership made sense. We’re just trying to help each other out.
Q: The internet plays a huge part in the spread of hip hop. How are you managing that?
A: After I put out this mixtape, I’m going to be working with a marketing firm and they’re going to be helping me out with a lot of that. But what it comes down to is getting your stuff to the right people. Good things will happen from that.
Q: Do you have any shows coming up soon?
A: I’ve mostly been doing club appearances — one to two songs at each. I just did that at Santo’s Party House. Planning a little college tour for the near future. No huge shows yet.
Q: I hate to ask this question but I feel like it needs to be asked. Do you get any grief about being a “white rapper” or is it cool now?
A: Yeah, it’s okay. I think that rap is completely changing. Rap is a part of pop music now. It really doesn’t matter what color you are. There’s room for any kind of rapper. A lot of white rappers like Mac Miller and Asher Roth are starting in this college scene and putting really good stuff out. It’s definitely cool now. I think everyone should have the right to make music. But I think some white rappers, and rappers in general lack content and creativity. I can make party music and then balance out with something more serious and unique sounding.
Download ZAK!’s music on his website here.
