Zena Interview
One of the UK's hottest new talents, Zena, started out as the fourth member of Mis-Teeq but her heart was set on the R&B sound and when the group took the garage route, she left.
She spent most of 2003 shuttling back and forth from the States, working on with some of the biggest names in R&B for her forthcoming album. These included Redzone (Mya, Blu Cantrell, TLC) Kandi (who wrote 'No Scrubs') and Anthony Dent (Destiny's Child).
Fazed caught up with her for a chat...
Official website: www.zenaonline.co.uk
Becky: You’ve been touring in the US. Do you think people act differently towards you over there?
Zena: They really like the English style and they love the English accent! They seemed really intrigued by it-like they can’t understand how I can talk with an English accent and sing sounding American! The reception I got over there was fantastic; I got to meet a lot of different people. I was over there for about a year and a half too, so it all worked out really well.
B: So why’ve you decided to work as a solo artist?
Z: I’ve actually always wanted to be a solo artist. When I moved to London, that was my main goal, I answered an audition for a singer; they didn’t mention it was in a group, and when I got to the audition, that’s what it actually was! Infact, I didn’t actually get to meet the girls until the day we were signing up to become Mysteeq! We weren’t able to meet each other, and bond and get to know one another. There wasn’t any balance in Mis-teeq, everyone seemed to be fighting for the limelight.
It made me unhappy because all the performances were pre-prepped, I had to look, act and do what I was told. The fact that we had to do all of that on top of the relationship the group had was really bad; I couldn’t see how we could move forward as a group like that. There was a lot of bickering in the group. You know what girls’re like!
B: When did you decide to take your R n’ B dreams seriously?
Z: When I was about 16 when my parents and family were nagging “Ooh, you’ve got to start thinking about what you really want to do, go to college!” I was really into art and fashion designing, and I think that’s what they wanted me to do. I’ve been singing since I was eight, and when I left college I really had to decide for myself.
B: I bet a million people have asked you this, but where did you get your name from?
Z: Well not a lot of people have actually asked me this question! My mum named me! It’s an Arab name, and I think it’s supposed to mean something like ‘decoration’ or ‘beautiful’ or something! I don’t know where she got it from; I think she just read it in a book!
B: What’s the most embarrassing thing you’ve ever done?
Z: Ever? I don’t really do embarrassing things, because now I’m in control of my career, if there’s something I really don’t want to do, I don’t have to do it! (Laughs) Although, I did Disney two days ago-I wasn’t embarrassed, but I know I looked really silly! I had to get into a swimming costume and put a snorkel on over the top of my clothes, and put a rubber ring around me. I had to do it all in 30 seconds, and I had big high-heeled boots on!
B: You don’t sound much like a Brummy. Why’s that?
Z: A lot of people have said that to me! I came to London when I was 18 and did telephone work, where I had to lose some of my accent for that. When I go home though, it comes back quite strong. They still think I sound like a Londoner! I can’t hear it!
B: Do you have a boyfriend at the moment, or do you find it quite difficult to do things like that?
Z: I’ve been in a serious relationship for five years. I don’t find it that hard at the moment, because my boyfriend works closely with what I’m doing. I think I’d find it quite hard if I didn’t have a boyfriend! It’s so easy to get caught up with the party circuit. The R n’ B industry itself has got a bad name for goings on at parties! I suppose being in a relationship helps me to be a lot more grounded in the industry. So yeah, I’m really happy!
B: Do you ever get much time to go back home?
Z: Well, at the moment I get to go home a lot because I’m promoting my new single ‘All Around The World’, so I get to go back to Birmingham quite a lot to do radio interviews and things like that. My mum’s always pleased to see me go back obviously! Although, when I was recording the album, I’d go for months on end without seeing my family. Now I’m back in London so it’s not too bad!
B: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Z: Loads of things! I suppose if it had to be absolutely one thing, then I’d change my hair. I’d have longer hair-down to my bum- and looser curls-it takes sooo long to do it because it’s naturally very curly-really frustrating!
B: You’re doing a lot of promotional events and going to all these showbiz parties! Would you say the fame’s gone to your head?
Z: It’s easy for it to get like that, but I know that my family and friends will keep my feet firmly on the ground! I’m just not a diva at heart!
B: Out of all the R n’ B blokes you’ve met, who was the best looking?
Z: Hmm…I’ll have to think about that one! It’d have to be out of…actually, I think it’d have to be Usher. When I met him, it was a bit disappointing; I had my heels on and I was taller than him!
B: Why, how tall’re you?
Z: I’m 5ft 8in, and the shoes would’ve made me 5ft 10in! I felt like a giant because he is pretty small! I was like “aww!”
B: Who’s your idol?
Z: I wouldn’t say I have an idol as such, but I really like Mary J Blige; I love her music, her as an artist, her as a person. I’ve seen her in concert four times! Absolutely brilliant.
B: Your new album’s more of an R n’ B/Pop hybrid. Why’ve you decided to do something like this?
Z: Well, this is my taste in music! Also, I don’t think a lot of people would feel they’d relate to a ‘hard’ R n’ B sound. Having a pop influence isn’t something I disliked at all; I didn’t have to compromise on the feel of the album.
B: Well Zena, thank you very much for taking time to talk to fazed.com-good luck with the new album!
Z: Thankyou!
