Jamaican alternative rap artiste ZenXave is redefining the musical terrains that the island is known for with his vulnerable, new sound, which can be witnessed in his new release ‘All of Me’.

From making fake grills with foil paper and imitating rappers like Twista, Mike Jones, Eminem, and Lil Wayne to entering the rap world himself, making music that serves as diary entrees for the artiste, he has paved his own way in Jamaica’s music industry.

“Genre-bending”, “culture-shaking”, and “bold and provocative”, are some words often used to describe the up-and-coming talent, ZenXave and his sound. His new song, ‘All of Me’ is an embodiment of these accolades.

Who is ZenXave?

Growing up in the vibrant culture of Broken Hurst, Mandeville, and spending his high-school years in Clarendon, where he attended Garvey Maceo High, ZenXave’s journey with music, first stemmed from a love of dancing. There was also some influence from his close friend, rapper and producer, Neptune who played a key role in ZenXave’s love of rap music.

“I’m a Jamaican born and bred underground hip hop/alternative artist, producer, and songwriter,” ZenXave said in an interview with Our Today, listing his many talents.

 “The type of music I make expresses the deeper parts of who I am—the hidden darkness, pain, discomfort, hate, anything lingering deep within the caves of my heart,” he said.

ZenXave’s unique personality shines through in his music. He describes his musical approach as him cultivating a sound that digs into the deeper, hidden, parts of the human experience.

Anything can be a muse

ZenXave’s creative process is as spontaneous as it is thoughtful. Song ideas strike at any moment, inspired by everyday interactions and observations. 

“My writing styles come at random because song ideas or concepts can hit me anywhere, anytime,” ZenXave explains. “From conversations with friends to encounters with strangers, every interaction becomes a potential muse.”

This spontaneity is captured in voice recordings, and jottings being made in creative moments, preserving the raw emotion and inspiration for future compositions.

‘All Of Me’…pain

Music, for ZenXave, is deeply personal and therapeutic.

Overcoming a shy personality to share his art with the world was a massive achievement in his personal evolution. “My music is very precious to me, so I never truly grasped the idea of sharing my art with ‘the world’.”

ZenXave’s latest song, ‘All Of Me,’ was written and recorded by himself, mixed and mastered by fellow artiste and friend, Kadence. The song is a reflection of personal and professional struggles. 

Written after a heated argument with his brother, the song encapsulates the pressures of life, the longing to be present for loved ones, and the internal turmoil of balancing responsibilities.

“”All of Me’ speaks from a personal perspective in which I have become overwhelmed with the daily work schedule that takes away from the important things in life. It expresses how hard things can sometimes get when trying to balance everything. It also expresses the fear of failure.” ZenXave noted.

“It’s also a reminder to always stay focused and rearrange things to accomplish what has already been written,” he said.

The song begins with a voice note to a friend where ZenXave was having a particularly hard day. It highlights his vulnerability and how the support of a close friend made a difference during times of uncertainty.

“This particular morning felt unbearably overwhelming, and during my episode, he phoned me, and I sought refuge in just him to calm myself and my thoughts,” he said.

ZenXave, a Jamaican, loves his homeland and culture. Dancehall was an important part of his formative years, and he has a strong appreciation for it, though it is not his preferred genre through which to express himself musically.

“I was always into the newest Jamaican songs and dances as a kid, but once I was exposed to rap music and entered my ‘Drake era’, I knew that I could do it…I could create music that wasn’t just words that sounded good on a beat… I could create music that would make you feel.”

This raw honesty permeates ‘All Of Me‘, making it a cathartic piece for both ZenXave and his listeners.

Take a listen to ‘All Of Me’: