In this interview with the up and coming lyricist, he discusses his music background, influences, the inspiration behind his recent output of freestyles, and more.
This interview has been slightly edited and condensed for clarity.
Grooverelly: What’s one of your first impactful memories that is tied to music?
Zeno: When my stepfather-God rest his soul-showed me one of his own albums. My cousin used to listen to 50 Cent and Tupac a lot, too. I didn’t even want to do music until my cousin and stepfather introduced me to it. Then I actually did my research, going back to different rappers. Even back to the original gangster rappers. My sound is so West Coast influenced right now because of my cousin and how he wanted to be from Compton so bad.
Grooverelly: What are your thoughts on the musical renaissance that is happening out of Virginia right now?
Zeno: One thing I can say is, finally. There would be people from different areas of the 757 that necessarily give us that spotlight, like Young Crazy. Right now, we gotta keep coming with the hits. We gotta bring the feeling that Pharell, Missy Elliott, Timbaland, and the Clipse gave-that vibe. We gotta keep it cohesive, and also make the right collaborations. I also feel like our legends in the game should reach back a little more. Just think, if Timbaland would’ve produced for Young Crazy, he would’ve been blown up.
Grooverelly: How was it for you growing up in the city of Suffolk?
Zeno: It depends on your perspective. It can be times where shit seems boring, but there’s love in the city. You’ll see the community come together with open mics and other events. There’s times where shit can get a little gritty too, but for the most part, there’s a lot of love there.
Grooverelly: What has inspired the recent uptick in outputs from you? You’ve been freestyling over everything lately. It feels like watching someone get their reps in, or get their shots up in the gym.
Zeno: The inspiration was not giving up on myself. I’ll see somebody like LaRussel and how is grind is, and realizing ‘You can do this too.’ Pharell made a song for it: You Can Do It Too. I might not have every beat that I want, but if I at least put something out, there’s no telling who might hear it. Just like that, I’ve been running into a few new producers. That’s also a goal: to build notoriety. On social media, things are here today and gone tomorrow so if you’re not consistent, it’s over. Also, I didn’t want to procrastinate. And with [the freestyles], I was exploring lyricism and being more vulnerable and transparent. This shit is therapy.
Grooverelly: What is your process when embarking on a new freestyle? Are they written or punched in?
Zeno: Depending on how I feel, it’s a mix. The “Trae The Truth In Ibiza” freestyle was one of my favorites cause I didn’t write that at all. Most of them, I’ll start to write then freestyle some of it.
Grooverelly: Growing up, who were some of your musical influences?
Zeno: I’ve changed with the time. But I’ma always say Kendrick (also the entire TDE), Ye…and even though he’s in a wobbly situation right now, I can’t deny the influence of Drake. Tyler, Frank, Young Thug, and the Migos. Travis Scott. The Internet. Pusha-T. Jill Scott. Wiz Khalifa. And it goes without saying, Lil Wayne.
As I got older…Vince Staples, Isaiah Rashad, G Perico and Bino Rideaux. Also Metro Boomin as a composer. I’ve been messing with IDK recently, too. Kalan.Frfr. Larry June. Mick Jenkins. Someone who’s been a melodic influence is Shordie Shordie. Boogie. YG Tut.
Grooverelly: When did you begin to try your hand at recording songs for the first time? What about making clothes for Hiawatha Tribe, LLC?
Zeno: When I was in a rap group with my homie Frank (LaTokyo) called Young Justice (YJOE). We made a song called “History” where I explained how my stepfather influenced me to become an artist, and manifested what I wanted to do-which is what I’m doing now. Later on, we added another member named Luhh Shawn and called ourselves the O.G. Boys. Around that time I was hearing about BreezePark, too. I can’t even imagine the thought of seeing how everybody is now-still flourishing in things we want to do. We’re still showing the care that we have for all this shit.
Hiawatha is my grandfather’s middle name. His name actually meant something that pertained to water, which is crazy because my name is Zeno Waves. He passed away around 2020-2021. Right afterwards, I wanted to figure something out that would keep the legacy. Something that would keep his name alive, and something that I could always go back to. That’s where it came from. I started off using Shopify. It gave me a good start. But in future references, I want to tap in with actual venders. Sometimes when you’re wearing too many different hats, not everything is going to fall in line how you want it to. That’s why I chose to put a hold on it, for now. I actually started that when I didn’t even have a job. All my savings, I put into the business. It helped because of the notoriety, but on the backend, the bills still have to get paid.
Grooverelly: Who in your life has been the most encouraging to you on your journey?
Zeno: Mom dukes. I don’t care how much she gets on my nerves, I love her. You have to love anyone who’s gonna be in your corner, tell you when you’re wrong, what you need to perfect, or even just to give you love.
Grooverelly: When it comes to creating songs, what’s the most important aspect of the process-coming up with an idea/concept, or the execution of the idea/concept?
Zeno: It’s a balance of both, but it’s also executing the feeling of what the beat is telling me. The main thing that I always focus on, is the hook. The hook will set the precedent for whatever is being talked about, regardless.
Grooverelly: What new music are you looking forward to hearing this year? What have you been excited about thus far, in terms of releases?
Zeno: Kendick needs to drop, asap. Speaking of asap, A$AP Rocky. Travis Scott. J. Cole needs to drop. I need Vultures 2 and 3.
Grooverelly: What else can we expect from you this year? What are some of your creative goals for 2024?
Zeno: More music, more collaborations with different artists and videographers. I’m working on an EP at the moment. I want the other EP that I want to work on to be more serious and more vulnerable-giving enough but not too much. I still want to challenge myself and grow, creatively. And also stay true to myself, too.
