We recently connected with Zaida and have shared our conversation below.

Zaida, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I was born into art. My mother is an amazing artist, composer, and musician. I remember sitting on the couch watching my mom’s fingers move graciously throughout the piano keys. It was mesmerizing for me. I learned how to play the piano from my mother when I was 12 years old. From then on, my love for music began, but not for the piano, my love was simply listening to the music.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

My professional musical career began when I was 18 years of age. I was naïve then and I was quickly signed to an independent music label based in Miami. I spent months at a recording studio trying to shape my own style. I started combining my own original poetry with some basic guitar melodies. That was the result of my debut album, “Train Ride,” which was released in 2000. At that time, the independent label wronged me (to keep it short), and as a result, I became my own producer. The trials and tribulations helped me grow as an artist, and mentally, I had to thicken my skin. I then realized that my family were the only people that I could truly count on and trust. I also had to learn how to believe in myself, which in today’s society is quite difficult to do.

Inspired by musicians like Rob Thomas, Pink and Jewel, I am a storyteller in my song-writing. I had a few lessons on her first, used and worn-out classical guitar, and started combining my own original poetry with some basic guitar melodies. That was the result of my debut album, “Train Ride”. As an independent artist, I released an EP called “Little Box of Secrets.” My self-produced singles, take you on a journey from one extreme to the other. “Savannah” is a song about love and loss, while Grammy Considered song “Bulletproof Queen” is an empowering, rock song, showcasing my expressive vocal delivery, as well as my storytelling. My latest release, “Stay,” is a song about a daughter who lost her father and wished he could have stayed a little longer. I hope that while listening to my songs, the listener becomes a traveler.

I believe what sets me apart from others is that I am a storyteller at heart. I can fully express myself to others and to myself through my guitar and lyrics. I truly feel what I am singing. And I have remained humble through all the obstacles that have been thrown in my direction. Although the journey has been challenging, I am not ready to stop showing the people the world through my eyes. I want my music to be the window to my soul for the world to peek in. It is more than just listening to the songs; it is breathing in the words.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect about being an artist is when I see an audience member sing along with my songs. More specifically, when I recently released my song Stay, which is a song about a daughter who lost her father and wished he could have stayed a little longer, a friend called me and thanked me for saying the words she could not find to say, when her father passed away. In that moment, I knew that I succeeded as a songwriter.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

My mom is my biggest fan. I have taken her on my musical journey for many years, and when I have faltered, she has led me back onto that journey. I was very close to taking a break from music altogether when my mom was diagnosed with Leukemia. I was at the hospital every day, with my beat-up classical guitar. After her chemotherapy sessions, I would sing whatever song she wanted to hear. One night she said to me, “I have you sing to me every night you visit because it’s the only time that I feel some normalcy during these sessions.” Even during those tough times, my mom never let me go astray on my dreams.

One night, I was laying in bed, trying to fall asleep, and I had an epiphany. If I give up on music, I am giving up on myself and who I am. I thank my mom for making me bring my guitar to the hospital. My mom has been cancer-free for eight years now. She is my endless song. She encourages me every day to keep striving for the star that is within my soul.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.zaidamusic.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/zaidamusic
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/zaidamusic
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/zaidamusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkB17fGw_VdGI_0partmA2w
• Other: https://soundcloud.com/zaida-music-372783255

Image Credits
Lady Chavez Photography; and Genae Photography