Zeyi Says

My ride or die and I planned to meet at 7:30 pm at SOBs Night Club in Tribeca, New York because Zeyi was performing in a showcase hosted by radio personality Miabelle. For anyone up & coming artist out there, performing at this place is like a rite of passage. I’ve been to this place so many times when I was out here in these streets so that night was an excuse to relive the days when we were outside, outside. I always get good vibes and meet new connections at this music hall. Zeyi blessed the stage with unreleased tracks that sound like a mix between underground 90s hip hop and modern gospel rap. I don’t really remember the words but the hook is a bop. During his time in quarantine, the up & coming artist is working on his craft, taking virtual acting classes, and is super active in the men’s ministry at Trinity Church. Go inside out FT call.

Violet Summer Zine: How are you spending your days in quarantine? Zeyi: I enjoy being around people. I need human interactions. So me and Corona are not mixing.

VSZ: Yes me too! So how has it impacted your schedule? I know you were planning on going on tour Zeyi: Yes. SXSW was canceled. It’s so much stuff I haven’t gotten to!

VSZ: What are some of the lessons you’ve learned in the last few months? It seems like your rap style is transpiring into an inspirational rap sound.

Zeyi: I had a whole album release event last February but I was convicted in my heart on my walk with God to not release the music. It sucked because I had a listening party and I ended up not releasing any of the music. On that

mixtape I had a song called “Amen.” I wanted my music to be relatable to the nigga on the bloc to my pastor. I don’t want my parents to cringe because my music is explicit. My music sits in the gap of still being raw and it’s not displeasing to God. It layers to this.

Violet Summer Zine: I’ve been seeing a lot about Trinity posts on your social feeds, tell me about this congregation.

Zeyi: I’m a member and I host two connect groups. I got baptized at Trinity on July 9, 2018. And I started serving on the greeters’ team and now I’m on a growth track team. You learn about God’s purpose in your life through our educational courses that are led by church members. I host a men’s connect group in my apartment on Mondays at 9 pm.

VSZ: And you teach in a ministry!? Zeyi: Yes, I teach people how to tap into their spiritual gifts. It’s just about speaking in tongues. You can have a spiritual gift of hospitality and those gifts translate to characteristics and personality traits of biblical characters.

VSZ: Did you grow up religious? Zeyi: I did not. I grew up with my family going to church and getting us out of the house. It was almost like a chore for me.

VSZ: What are your favorite bible verses? Zeyi: I don’t have a favorite; I’m bad at remembering. But I love the bible stories and what they represent, like the story of King Nebuchadnezzar.

VSZ: Did you have any apprehension from your friends for becoming active in the church?

Zeyi: Yes, any sudden change in what you devote your time to is going to show. And of course, my friends had questions but then I took them to church to experience it for themselves. I’ve learned that those judgemental thoughts were just lies of the enemy. They made me live in a state of concern about what people will think about “this church dude.” However, if you start to notice when you give Jesus your time, talent, and treasure, that’s only going to lift you up.

VSZ: Amen!! Are you releasing any new projects? Zeyi: I created a brand new project actually. We are waiting to release it and I’m waiting to get back into the studio to finish it.

Follow Zeyi on Instagram for his next move: @zeyisays.