Meet Zebtdn, 18 year old up and coming artist from Mississauga Ontario. This young musician
found his love of music when he was just 6 years old.
At what age did you first realize you had a passion for music and performing?
The first time I realized I’m into music was at age 6. It was when I heard Chris Brown’s song
“kiss kiss” in 2007. And before then I never heard music, or listen to music. My family friend
just put me on the music video and I instantly loved it. Later
After realizing his passion when he was a child, a little later in his life, Zeb saw the opportunity
to practice his sound by writing a diss track
In Grade 9 there was some girl I didn’t like, cuz she just had an obnoxious tone so I wrote a diss track. After that, I slowly looked up beats on youtube and started writing.
How long after that realization did you take the step into the studio to record your first
song? After writing, I ended up buying a yeti mic not knowing that mic isn’t best suited for recording. But once I bought it, I recorded and released one of my first tracks.
After practicing using free beats on youtube, writing his own original lyrics and getting
equipment; Zeb decided it was time to take it to the next level and release a single.
“I put out my track and it sucked, I was a school wide meme!”
But the young artist did not let the negative feedback stop him from continuing to perfect his craft. I fucking loved it. I slowly got better though, I worked on my flow, my voice, and I still have a long way to go, but I’m a lot better now.
What sparks your inspiration to create? What keeps you getting back into the studio again and again?
The end goal does. My drive is my end goal. I want to look back and say I left a mark. I’ve
always thought my voice had to be heard, so I just keep putting it out there. Also sometimes it could just be a random flash of an idea, and I really want to record it. Certain artists like Lil Uzi Vert, Nav, and Post Malone inspire a lot to work music, but I’m my own inspiration.
From your first single “I just” to your most recent “Break a wave” we can hear a
consistent unique sound from you. In your opinion, what do you think sets your music
apart from other artists in the city?
I’m different because I’m not 100% familiar with my city’s culture. My parents were
overprotective and wouldn’t let me out much, and so, In middle school I was an indoors kid who gamed all day and night. And being that isolated and enjoying my own company helped me grow and be comfortable with who I am as a person. The 18 years old says, once he moved on to high school he was finally able to begin experiencing the culture in Toronto. When I was in high school, I finally started going out A LOT more, and I grew and learned the culture. My music isn’t really even inspired by Toronto’s music scene, it’s more of an LA and Atlanta style. Due to that I’m considering moving to LA, This is seen in my music cuz I write whatever I feel and think, with very little censorship. I’m very expressive, and very true to myself with my music. I thought of the hook to the song Break a Wave on the toilet just came to me.
Taking into consideration everything you’ve experienced in the music industry so far; the good and the bad. what advice can you give to any up and coming young aspiring artists?
I have a ways to go, but so far I’ve learned that in this industry is, just know what you are getting yourself into, this line of work isn’t easy at all which is why you say your friend make a song, and he gives up after. This is a lot of work, and you need a certain drive to make it somewhere in music. and we all would love to just make music, but there’s a whole marketing and business side to this career path which is arguably more important than the music side.
Follow the artist on Instagram @Zebtdn and stream his latest single Break a wave on all streaming platforms.
Written by Esther Louis