Published by Scout Booth
Still waters, deep and lyrics, and unexpected DMs — Zirra takes the E-Seat.
In today’s exclusive interview feature from Scout Booth, we have Zirra on our E-Seat.
We sit with the artist, the storyteller, the still water, as he opens up about life beyond the mic. We dived into his creative process, the mystery behind his sound, the strangest DM he’s ever received, and why he thinks Portable would actually make a great collab (yes, really).
Let’s get into it!
Scout Booth: Hi Zirra, how are you doing today? Zirra: “I’m great Gem, how are you?”
Scout Booth: I’m great as well. So we all know Zirra the musician but who is Zirra beyond the mic? Who are you when the Wi-Fi is off?
Zirra: “Well if I do say so myself, I’m a really chilled guy who loves being around friends, family, and beautiful women. Also lowkey really good at sports.”
Scout Booth: Hnmmm nice. What inspired your name, and does it hold personal meaning?
Zirra: “It’s my real name lol, it’s the name I was given at birth.”
Scout Booth: Oh that’s great. Where are you from?
Zirra: “I’m originally from Adamawa state but I was born and brought up in Lagos.”
Scout Booth: Adamawa? Wow, that’s so cool. So what does Zirra mean in your language? I believe Adamawa speaks Hausa, right?
Zirra: It means second born son and the full name is Zirindza which means a joy to behold.”
Scout Booth: That’s interesting! Let’s talk music. Your sound blends R&B, soul, and alté, right? What do you call this sound and how do you balance these genres without losing your identity?
Zirra: “I feel like my sound blends a lot more than all those genres but I feel like identity is defined more from your delivery if anything else. So I just continued to work on my delivery.”
Scout Booth: How would you describe your sound to someone hearing you for the first time?
Zirra: “It’s like still water. Looks normal but you can drown in it if you get deep enough.”
Scout Booth: Okayyyyyyyy, yeah I do agree to that. And also, there’s something to how you write. What’s your writing process like? Do you write from personal experience, imagination, or a blend of both?
Zirra: “Mostly personal experience, but I also make some songs based on imagination. It really depends on the type of beat I’m hearing.”
Scout Booth: What’s one lyric you’ve written that made you pause and go, “Damn, I’m actually good at this”?
Zirra: “‘Cause I got bread falling out the sky like manna, man’s taking over Tony Montana, Black star I’m Asamoah to Ghana…” I made those lines when I was 15 and it was received pretty well amongst my social circles at the time.”
Scout Booth: What message do you hope people take away from your music?
Zirra: “To always stay positive.”
Scout Booth: Uhnmm, good! Quick one, Zirra! Have you ever maybe lied in a song just to make it sound deeper?
Zirra: “Nope. Unless it’s a fun song, in that case it’s not a lie, it’s just imagination.”
Scout Booth: Who or what are your biggest musical influences?
Zirra: “Michael Jackson.”
Scout Booth: I know everyone has a downside. Have you ever made a song you regretted or maybe never wanted anyone to hear?
Zirra: “Yeah, there’s a song I have with my ex that every time I hear it, it takes me back to the time we used to spend together.”
Scout Booth: Really? Give us the deets, spill the tea.
Zirra: “It’s called Overdosing. It’s a good song but it just makes me feel a way. But it’s real sha.”
Scout Booth: Hnmmm, okay. If your music had a smell, what would it be?
Zirra: “A very nice inviting oud perfume.”
Scout Booth: What’s the weirdest DM you’ve ever received?
Zirra: “Probably a gay fan sending me a pic of their dick after they finished masturbating to one of my songs. They sent a VN too.”
Scout Booth: Oh what? Uhm, that’s a thing? Okayyyy, interesting. It seems you’ve such interesting fans.
Uhm, talking about weird, what about you? What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever done?
Zirra: “Lol I do a lot of weird shit on a daily.”
Scout Booth: Uhn uhn, so which is the weirdest of them all?
Zirra: “I used to drink 2 shots of absinthe before every outing. Apparently, that’s a bit odd lol.”
Scout Booth: Oh wow, you’re such an interesting personality. What’s one thing people always assume about you that’s totally false?
Zirra: “That I’m a playboy.”
Scout Booth: Oh wait, you mean that’s not true? Oh my! Pinch me.
What’s the most touching thing a fan has ever said or done for you?
Zirra: “Encouraged me.”
Scout Booth: On some Fanmily shii, that’s cute.
Yeah, let’s talk from the Buj musiccccccccc. You and Odumodu Blvck came up in the same city, both pushing unique sounds. Ever felt like your lanes clashed, or has it been mutual respect all the way?
Zirra: “Firstly I need to correct you there, I grew up in Texas, Lagos, Manchester, and Dubai. I lived in Abuja for 2 years but I have a lot of family and fans there including my parents. So Abuja is basically my second home regardless of anything. I don’t think me and Odumodu have a personal issue to be very honest. He’s abused me publicly, I’ve abused him publicly, and it was left at that. And he’s not unique in that situation. I feel like there’s a lot of respect for the craft on both sides. I still feel like he said some dumb shit sha. But then again who doesn’t.”
Scout Booth: I mean we once saw some Instagram story post that insinuated there might still be turbulence in that sea.
Zirra: “It’s because he came for my friends in a disrespectful manner and I basically backed my friends. As I’m sure he’d do if I was to come for anyone on his side.”
Scout Booth: If I gave you a blank verse and told you to choose between Odumodu and Portable to jump on it, who would you go with and why?
Zirra: “Portable. Cause that’ll be interesting.”
Scout Booth: So Omo Araromi it is, okayyy.
As an indie and alté artiste, I can imagine there might be some rough paths. So what challenges do indie artists like you face in Nigeria’s music industry?
Zirra: “Lack of funds. A lack of funds tends to dull creativity in a way, especially if you are trying to do big things.”
Scout Booth: Are there any ways you propose can help ease this?
Zirra: “I started my own label.”
Scout Booth: We’ve heard lots of alté artists say they would love to do the music without putting a face to it. What’s your take on fame, and is it something you want?
Zirra: “Fame is fame. Like anything it has its ups and it has its downs. People want to be famous their whole life and get fame and hate it. It affects people differently. It can change some people. It may not change the next person. It’s fickle because it’s man-given and I don’t think people should focus on the man-given things of life.”
Scout Booth: Zirra, quick one! To be underrated forever or go viral once and then disappear?
Zirra: “Underrated forever.”
Scout Booth: What’s one thing about Zirra that the world hasn’t seen yet but will soon?
Zirra: “Only God knows.”
Scout Booth: Any last words to your fans? what should they expect next, and what’s something you wish they knew about you?
Zirra: “Thank you for all your support, thanks for being with me since my teen years and here’s to many more years to come. The only thing I want them to know is I wish I could drop a lot more music for them and I’m constantly thinking of new ways to accomplish that. Positivity only. New album soon.”
Scout Booth: It’s been such a good ride and an amazing conversation, Zirra. We love to see all you’re working on, and we’re wishing you well and cheering you on all the way.
Zirra: “Yeah, same here, had a good time chatting with you guys, love what you’re doing, big up yourselves.”
Stay connected with Zirra!
Follow him on TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter (now X) and stream his projects on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.
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