Today we’d like to introduce you to Izaiah (ZAÏ) Fortenberry.
Hi Izaiah (ZAÏ), so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
When I was 8 years old my aunt on my mom’s side was playin the piano and I just began to sing the song she was playing. That’s when she and my whole family found out I had the talent and gift of singing. As black families do she called the whole family and everyone was so joyful and happy. From that moment on I knew I had a gift and used it every day of my life. In 2020 I began writing the blueprint of my first ever EP “Emotional Baggage” which was later released in February 2023. I always knew I wanted to be an artist it just felt like it was engraved inside of me. So releasing that first project really felt like me taking the step into my new life and stepping into my purpose. Ever since then I haven’t stopped releasing music it’s a passion of mine and I love creating art for others to enjoy. Looking up to artist like Beyonce, Aaliyah, Durand and so many more I want to make people happy and create community just like them. The way their music makes me feel is the same way I want my music to touch people.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been very rocky actually. Being an independent artist is one of the hardest but most rewarding things you can do. You have to invest in yourself and bet on yourself because no one else really will. It’s hard staying committed to the goal because no one is listening and certain family doesn’t support. It gets discouraging and quite depressing at times. The biggest struggle I had was really trusting and believing in myself and knowing that the audience will come when the time is right. Staying the course when the course looks scary. Believing in your God given talent and knowing that you are blessed with the gift of songwriting and singing for a reason. Also spending sooooo much time, energy and money on something you don’t know will actually work. It’s so rewarding but it was definitely mentally draining. Now I’m at a point where I’m extremely happy with my growth and will continue to make art no matter who does or doesn’t listen.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m an independent R&B artist here in Houston Texas. I specialize in making art from the soul and making my experiences into something beautiful turning my pain into art my scars into sounds.
I’m most proud of my first ever album “Trauma Dump” I wrote that album after a very dark depressive episode and turned my emotions into music and allowed my experience to get turned into something beautiful. It was my first ever album and I will always be proud of that piece of work because it’s personal. It was all real and raw emotions put into music. I created all the beats, lyrics, and promo and it felt so good just getting that out there.
I feel like what sets me apart from others is my ability to be myself in every room I step into. Being black, gay, and a man in America I have to be authentically myself 24/7. I can’t allow the thoughts and opinions of people I don’t even know to change the way I step into a room and present myself. In order for me to build the community and fanbase I want I have to be authentically myself because no one else will.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My Grandma lord rest her soul. She is my main motivation for why I keep going and why I do what I do everyday. She spoke life into me and her words repeat in my head everyday. She overhead me singing one day and came into my room and said “I heard you singing, don’t stop you have a God given talent make sure you use it”. She knew I was gifted from the start so everything I do is for her and I know if she was alive today she would be my biggest cheerleader. Her spirit is with me everyday and I do this all for her and I hope she’s smiling down on me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/izaiah_f
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zaiiizayyy?igsh=MWJsMHk2Mmp3eDIyeg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@wonderfulworldofzai?si=ldCuM6VT-VKo_UBw
