Passionate Artist
with a Passion for Life
Written by Shawn Thompson
"You never really know how much impact you can have on others just by sharing your experience. I like to put that in my music."
-Andy Z6
Give me three words to describe the AndyZ6 brand?
Exclusive, creative, and romantic. That’s how I approach the words that I write. I try to create a separate world around what I’m creating and tap into myself in order to tap into others. Romance has a sort of drama to it that I like to bring to the work that I create.
What motivated you to become a music artist?
Music has always been my most organic form of creative expression. When I would listen to musicians and hear their stories, it made me feel connected to them and to a part of myself. I find it important to use my experiences to connect to others who have been, or may go through something similar. Even though my story is my own, it may parallel someone else’s journey.
Tell us more about your musical influences and how they have impacted your artistry?
I listened to a lot of R&B growing up. Erykah Badu, Destiny’s Child, and Toni Braxton. Then I started gaining rap influences from people like Jay-Z and Tyler the Creator. There’s more than I could list. I’m not shy when it comes to music, I will give anything a chance.
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Who is your team and how have they motivated and inspired you?
Most of my close friends. We are all really creative people. Some are other musicians, photographers, painters. We bounce off each other. Even if some people don’t get what I create, someone in my circle will. They definitely keep me sharp because we roast everything so we have to be on point with each other. Iriane, my manager, has really pushed me to put music out. I would record and write all the time but from 2014 -17, I didn’t have a desire to be known as an artist. After a while, I realized how much of an impact I could have and the best way to have an impact is to put my art into the world.
Can you tell us about your first song and the development of it?
I’ve been writing songs ever since I was a young kid. Random things I would think of in my mind with no experience. Basic stuff. The first song I recorded and let people hear was inspired by my experience working my first job. I was young and felt undermined and profiled for just being who I was. The first line was something like “I’ll be myself for next halloween…” Pure was one of my earlier songs that I released with my friend Stro. It was a heartfelt song about the impression a person’s love makes on another. I’ve performed it in the past & I actually have it tattooed on me.
What is the process behind your music making?
I went to school for audio engineering so I could learn the ropes as far as recording and engineering my own sessions. I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. I could be chilling out, have an idea come to mind and record it on my voice memo as I get prepared to record or write it out. Sometimes the track can flow and be done in one sitting but there’s been plenty of tracks I’ve worked on for months, sometimes years.
What quote would you say describes you as a person?
I forgot where I heard it but “wherever you are, be there” is the quote. It kind of stuck with me. I’m an analytical person. I’m always in my head. That quote to me helps me to be mindful and stay in the present. Immerse myself in that moment. That has helped me to be grounded and focused.
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What is your involvement in the Black Rights Movement?
Of course I’ve been really active on social media. Sending donations to protestors and sharing information. My main focus has been to share information and keep the Black Lives Matter topic circulating. Instead of writing sober music about black issues, I try to focus on the positive, empowering side of community among the culture. To try and build ourselves as magical black people and to help connect us all as black people. It’s challenging to be hopeful with all that’s happening. It can be traumatic to believe we aren’t being valued as people. I try to maintain joy and happiness about being black. I feel like some forces in the world are trying to strip us of that. We are beautiful black people. I participated in a telethon over the summer and gained knowledge on so many of the current topics going on today.
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What impact would you like to leave on the world with your art?
To explore yourself through your art. Really digging within ourselves to create and to be as authentically creative as possible. You never really know how much of a positive impact you can have on others just by sharing your experience. I like to put that in my music.
What impact would you like to leave on the world with your art?
To explore yourself through your art. Really digging within ourselves to create and to be as authentically creative as possible. You never really know how much of a positive impact you can have on others just by sharing your experience. I like to put that in my music.
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What advice would you give the younger you?
Learn your craft. If you want to make music, really learn your craft. Study. One of the most important things i’ve learned is to create without hindrance by yourself first so that you can collaborate better with others.
What advice would you give to someone who is just starting their journey in the music industry?
Stick with it. It’s not easy because expressing yourself in that way is already hard. Especially in your creative work. Stick with it, have faith and what you create from that is what needs to be created.
Tell us about your future projects
Green flags will be officially released in October 2020. I will be premiering a live performance this month as well. I have a lot of really nice vibes I’ve been experimenting with. Soon, my third project will be out and also doing more live shows. Other than that, I’m just creating everyday.