Interview with ZayTheBoi : Stories from Seattle, Studio Hustle, and the Track That Saved Him

ZayTheBoi sits down with us to talk about his upcoming album Sunrise, the influences that shaped his sound, and the creative drive that keeps him recording between shifts at his full-time job.

Built from honest moments, animated by emotional beats and a love for storytelling, Sunrise is Zay’s attempt to turn darkness into light — one song at a time. Below: a clean, readable version of our interview.

Q1 — Can you introduce yourself to readers—who is ZayTheBoi in your own words?

I’m ZayTheBoi, a rapper from Seattle. I make music about things that move me emotionally — I tell my stories through the things I like and the feelings I go through.

Q2 — How did you first get into making music, and what inspired you to start rapping?

I’ve always loved music, but my real love started with a show called Steven Universe that I watched growing up. The push to actually start making music came from another rapper, Dizzyeight. He released a song called “No Fear,” and after hearing it I finally had the confidence to try making my own music.

Q3 — Tell us about your stage name—what’s the story behind “ZayTheBoi”?

I didn’t overthink it. At the time my favorite rappers were Breeton Boi and Elijah The Boy, so I kind of combined those influences. Everyone called me Zay growing up — except substitute teachers — so it stuck.

Q4 — How would you describe your sound and style to someone who has never heard your music?

My sound pulls from nerdcore and mainstream artists. Really, it depends on how I’m feeling and what I want the listener to feel. When I make a song I try to match the emotion I’m carrying and make sure that feeling comes across.

Q5 — Your upcoming album Sunrise drops this September — what does this project represent for you?

Sunrise is stories from my life and the things I’ve had to overcome. With each song I hope listeners can relate and know they’re not alone in their struggles.

Q6 — What inspired the title Sunrise? Does it hold a special meaning?

I chose Sunrise because the album is about how after every dark moment, the sun always rises.

Q7 — How is Sunrise different from your previous work or singles?

This record leans more into storytelling about struggle and recovery; it’s more intentional about emotion and connection than some singles I’ve released before.

Q8 — Can you walk us through your creative process when working on this album?

I find an instrumental that really connects to the emotion I want to portray, then I write to the beat and keep the message of the song clear through the process.

Q9 — Were there any challenges you faced while making Sunrise? How did you overcome them?

Definitely. I work a full-time job and don’t have regular studio access, so I had to write after shifts or on my lunch breaks. It was time-consuming, but I made it work by carving out those pockets of time and staying focused.

Q10 — Which track on the album means the most to you personally, and why?

“Down” is one of my favorite songs I’ve ever made. The emotions I was going through while writing it were intense, and I let all of that out on the track.

Q11 — Do you have any collaborations on this album we should look out for?

There are one or two features. They’re all very talented artists with unique sounds — I’ve known them for a few years and gotten close with them, so they felt like a natural fit.

Q12 — What do you hope listeners feel or take away when they hear Sunrise?

The best word I can use is “free.” We all carry a lot of darkness. I hope after hearing Sunrise, some of that dark will fade.

Q13 — As an artist, who are your biggest influences and inspirations?

There’s a lot, but to name a few: Dizzyeight, Chess, Lil Wayne, and J. Cole. They’re artists I’ve listened to daily for years.

Q14 — What motivates you to keep creating and putting your art out there?

Music is my outlet — it helps me identify why I’m feeling something and either move past it or embrace it. It’s a blessing to share that with others.

Q15 — Outside of music, what’s something about you that fans might not know?

I love making things — I build, draw, design, and cook. I’m a very creative person who enjoys bringing projects into the world and seeing them finished.

Q16 — The music scene is competitive — what do you feel sets you apart as an artist?

A lot of artists focus only on making something catchy. I focus on the overall feeling of the song — the real meaning behind it — rather than what just sounds “cool.”

Q17 — What has been your proudest moment in your career so far?

At Summer Con this year I ran into two fans who knew my music. Hearing them talk about it and seeing how it connected with them was one of my best moments.

Q18 — What’s one goal you have for yourself after Sunrise drops?

After Sunrise, I want to make songs with artists I’ve never had the chance to work with before.

Q19 — If you could collaborate with any artist in the world, who would it be and why?

Dizzyeight — I admire the messages in his songs and the technicality of his style. His passion is something I really respect.

Q20 — Finally, what message would you like to give directly to your fans and future listeners?

You are enough. Everyone is beautiful and unique. The world can’t believe in you if you don’t believe in yourself, so go do what makes you happy no matter what anyone else says.

Sunrise arrives this September — an intimate, honest collection from an artist who writes to heal and to connect. Keep an eye out for ZayTheBoi and the release; if you relate to what he’s saying, you’re not alone.

Follow ZayTheBoi :

Instagram

Youtube

Spotify