In the cutthroat music industry, dedication and perseverance are the two most essential qualities an artist should have, aside from skills and talent. Unfortunately, many people assume that making music and being a successful artist is an easy path, but musicians know better. Entering the industry with open eyes, American rapper OWKZ shows other artists how consistency is key to his success.
OWKZ, a stage name that stands for One-Way King Zo, was born in Detroit, Michigan, and raised in the vibrant and colorful city of Las Vegas, Nevada. This lively city became the background upon which he built his songs. He shared, “Everywhere you look, you can find inspiration for a song or an interesting story to tell. Of course, I also use some personal experiences for my music, but I also take inspiration from the people and the things around me.”
Since he started making music three years ago, OWKZ has been very consistent with his releases. “I drop a new album every six to eight months. And for two years, I have released a new music video every couple of weeks. All this is done independently. If that isn’t dedication, I don’t know what is,” he shared proudly.
This hard-hitting artist’s body of work is constantly growing, and he has been working on new music with more established artists like Peezy, another rapper from Detroit. OWKZ’s latest album, The Birth of Zo, has received a lot of positive attention since its release on all major streaming platforms. His latest single, “How I Feel,” is a collaboration with Peezy and is similarly experiencing a lot of love from fans.
When asked about the reasons for his strict work ethic, OWKZ revealed how his mother inspired him to work hard. The artist said, “Growing up, I watched my mom struggle to make ends meet. I knew that if I wanted something different, I would have to work hard for it. Even as a kid, I knew I wanted to be my own boss and own a business. Working for someone else didn’t sit well with me at all.”
Aside from his incredible body of work in music, OWKZ also started a clothing line called ONEWAY DRIP and an independent record label called ONEWAYSOUND. He hopes to one day expand these businesses, producing more apparel for his brand and signing more artists.
His professionalism and work ethic make him stand out from all the other newcomers in the industry, but OWKZ believes that his authenticity is what keeps fans coming back to his music. He said, “I’m genuine in all my encounters. I lead by example, and I don’t brag about anything. I just let my music speak for itself.”
With songs inspired by his life experience, OWKZ is able to reach many people who are in the same situation he had growing up. “I make music for people who want to change their situation for the better and accomplish their goals. I wanted to do something positive and creative that would put me in a position to help others, and that is what music has given me.”
OWKZ is an American rapper. His latest album, The Birth of Zo, and all his music is available on Spotify and YouTube.
