"I Want My Music to Be Visual" — Zenya and Her Fusion of Culture and Sound

Meet Zenya, a professional vocalist and independent musician whose journey has taken her from Australia to Bali, New York, and now Los Angeles. After performing with big bands in Bali and making a name for herself in the New York music scene, she landed gigs with Demi Lovato and spent eight years touring with Justin Timberlake’s band, The Tennessee Kids.

Despite the thrill of touring, Zenya has always focused on her own music, blending African rhythms and island vibes to craft a sound that's uniquely hers. With tracks like “I Still Love You” catching the attention of Dancehall legend Bounty Killer, and after collaborations with artists from Jamaica and Nigeria, she’s now ready to step into the spotlight. In this interview, Zenya opens up about what it really takes to carve out a solo career after touring with the best.

— Can you share how your musical journey began? What first got you into music?

— As a kid, my grandfather used to sing to me all the time—he was my dad's stepdad. I loved listening to him. I also listened to a lot of African music, especially acapella vocals from groups like Ladysmith Black Mambazo and different choirs in Zimbabwe. I became obsessed with vocal arrangements. Eventually, I learned the guitar, wrote poetry, and blended them together. At school, my principal—who was a music teacher—made us all audition, and I ended up as the lead singer in her group. From then on, I was always on stage, recording since I was 14, performing in pubs and clubs. I later moved to Bali and worked with a 10-piece international band, performing every night, which taught me so much about singing and dancing. That experience solidified my path, and I’ve been pursuing music ever since, moving to the States to continue. And here I am, 16 years later!

— You've worked with Justin Timberlake, Demi Lovato, and many others. What did you take from your experience touring with such high-profile artists?

— Especially with Justin Timberlake, we would train from morning till night every day, with hardly a day off for months. It teaches discipline, perseverance, and it shapes you into becoming a more refined artist, singer, and dancer. It shows you that muscle memory will carry you through. If you work hard enough, it becomes second nature, and you can push through anything. Honestly, it activated a part of my brain that made me realize I can do anything—any tour, any show—because it was the hardest training I’ve ever done.

— Can you share the story behind one of your projects or songs?

— There’s a song I wrote a few years ago that I’m going to release soon called "Shebang." I was in the studio with my friend, Cheeky, who was engineering the session. Music is very spiritual for me, and I felt like I was channeling water and mermaids while writing it. The energy in the room was powerful. When we listened back, Cheeky said, “Why do I keep seeing a mermaid when I listen to this song?” I couldn’t believe it—that was exactly what I was channeling. It was such a powerful moment, and it showed me how spiritual and visual music can be.

I want my music to be visual when people hear it. I want them to have an image in their mind every time they press play.

— What are your impressions on working with ISINA?

—  I really loved the quality of everything—from how things were run to how people treated me. Every single time I’ve interacted with the crew, it surpasses my expectations. I’m genuinely impressed with the people and the level of professionalism at ISINA. It’s been such a positive experience for me.

In an industry that’s not always kind, ISINA has made me feel truly celebrated, and that’s something we all deserve.