ZILLA OAKS: THE YEAR OF THE UNDERDOGS
Diving into the rhythmic universe of Zilla Oaks on our first X space interview, we revealed the soul behind the sensational melodies that have captivated music enthusiasts worldwide. From exploring his artistic journey to delving into the creative process, Zilla Oaks shared anecdotes that shed light on the magic behind the music.
On this episode, We spoke with Rodnee Okafor, Aka Zilla Oaks, a fierce musician from Abuja who is gaining momentum in the industry. The “Bank Alert Crooner” has said that since he started in 2011, the results have been fruitful, but the journey is not for the weak.
He is aware that it is a marathon, not a sprint, so he does things consistently and believes that eventually, everyone will see and experience his unique artistry. He detailed the mental energy it took to juggle his musical career with his academics, saying that he had to push back his academic pursuits to focus on his musical interests.
Zilla Oaks intended to study law but switched to international relations because it required less commitment and was easier to juggle with the life of a young, fast-rising superstar. He realized that his love for music was stronger than his urge to choose a profession his parents would approve of. In addition, he disclosed that his parents were not receptive to the idea of music until he presented his father with the statistics, something that African parents are very particular about. His father finally came around after hearing his son’s discography and discovering his monthly streams. Zilla gave us a tour of the creative process of “Gundown,” which was incredibly brilliant because he had extra studio time from a mastering session and used it to create this musical extravaganza that has left everyone in awe of the beauty he created. He described it as a musical representation of his unwavering self-confidence and disregard for other people’s opinions.
He let us know that Clint Eastwood had little impact on his cowboy attire in “Gundown,” but he did like dressing like a Texas ranger when he was a kid growing up in Texas. He also disclosed that his manager and partner, Lodayih Hassan (Lody), keeps a photo of him dressed as a cowboy in the back of her phone as a good luck charm.
Among Zilla’s musical influences are 50 Cent, Jay Z, Lil Wayne, Eminem, and Lil Wayne. He reminisces of a day in school when he and his peers were battling about Eminem, but then an older student encouraged them to stop bickering and listen to Jay Z, whom he realized was about more than just catchy lyrics; rhythm was key.
Even though Zilla and Droxx have been the subject of rumors of animosity due to their penchant for making lighthearted jokes about one another, he has now set the record straight by saying that he has no ill will towards Droxx and that all of the antics are him simply mirroring Droxx’s past behavior towards him.
Regarding the canceled performance at David’s concert, he stated that there were some internal issues with the organization but goes on to add that no one should be blamed because sometimes plans don’t work out the way you expect. He believes that future opportunities will be presented.
He collaborated with a soft life fashion game to produce an outstanding piece, and he said that modeling has always been an integral part of his identity, sometimes he models on the side whenever he has the time and a chance. Some brands he’s worked with “Outside couture” , “False Activity”, “Animvls”, “Ten toes” ,”BHP fashion”, “Cruise Gang” and “Pop Wave.”
In his explanation of the rationale behind releasing two packs, he said that “often you don’t want to do an EP, album, or mixtape but then you have about 2-3 songs you want to release.” Releasing through a pack allows your audience to hear all of the songs, and it’s also a good way to experiment with sounds or different genres to see if your fans would love them.
He is a master of some and a jack of all trades, so he knows firsthand how important it is to be proficient in several genres to remain relevant in the industry. Regarding what we can anticipate from him, he said that this year is going to be jam-packed with two packs and maybe EPs. He’s trying to be cautious not to ruin it, as he had a plethora of projects that were supposed to come out last year, Zilla oaks also disclosed that he officially signed a management deal with the showcase entertainment, he also tells us to be excited because it’s going to be a great year, Zilla Oaks went on to highlight his recent work, saying that he has recorded over 20 songs, some with ‘President Zik’ and ‘Hotyce’ and another with Nigerian hip hop legend Terry the Rap man.since arriving in Jos.
Regarding KVV, who is well-known for being a menace, he promised that the track would be heavy (no disrespect intended to Ice, but KVV shouldn’t be underestimated). Those who are trash-talking him are unfamiliar with him, but his fans are demanding more music from him this year, so we had better be ready because Abuja is about to revolutionize the music industry.
We were curious about how he crossed paths with Lodayih Hassan, his manager and partner, He said they met on the “Big Talk podcast”, hit it off, and eventually started working together. He also added that she’s become, and remains, one of his biggest inspirations and believers in his dreams. As for their romantic relationship, the details are still under wraps, but we wish them all the best.
When we questioned him about convincing his Manager to ditch the Red Devils and become a Gunner for life, he only chuckled and said he had to play the good Samaritan and save her from the inevitable heartbreak that comes with supporting Manchester United.
He also shared his strategy for overcoming creative blocks: “If I haven’t created anything in thirty minutes, I either go smoke, play games, step outside, or spend time with my girl. Then, I come back and bang out something beautiful.”
As we conclude our ethereal voyage into the world of Zilla Oaks, it becomes clear that his music is not just a collection of notes, but an intricate tapestry woven with passion, creativity, and a relentless pursuit of musical excellence. This interview offers readers an intimate glimpse into the mind of a true musical maestro, leaving us eagerly anticipating the incredible Journey Zilla Oaks continues to lead us on.
