Over the past three years, Seattle-based rapper and hip-hop artist, Zodic, has poured his heart and soul into his new album titled Hierarchy. Throughout his journey of producing the album, which isn’t different from the overall theme of his life, he reflects on overcoming numerous obstacles, sacrifices, and challenges. With a firm belief in his vision and ideas, Zodic embarked on a creative odyssey that has culminated in the release of his highly anticipated 12-track artistic work. In this article, we delve into the story behind the making of Zodic's album, exploring his inspirations, creative process, personal growth, and the valuable lessons he wishes to share with aspiring artists alike.

The concept behind the album is all about conquering social hierarchies that are set up for us in society. To start, the album’s cover was created by Gold Kidd, an artist from Vancouver. Inspired by a photoshoot in Seattle during the summertime, the image portrays a powerful staircase—a metaphor for reaching new heights and embodying the strength and determination to pursue one's dreams. Zodic invites listeners to click on the cover art while experiencing the album, allowing the visuals to enhance the immersive musical experience.

Zodic's album is a testament to his desire for musical variety and his emotional depth and expression style. With each track acting as a chapter in a larger narrative, the album seamlessly blends different styles, ranging from angry and introspective to happy and upbeat to, at times, cheeky and outright. Zodic's writing process is deeply intertwined with his personal experiences, allowing him to channel his emotions and thoughts into his music. With each song, he unleashes different challenges of navigating tough times and hard emotions. Something of which allows for relatability from his audiences right off the bat.

The album's opening track, "Melody," sets the stage for Zodic's return from his 2021 album, instantly captivating listeners with its introduction. Collaborating with a friend from high school who supplied the beats, Zodic seamlessly weaves his own unique style and perspective into the music. While some songs originated from existing beats, Zodic's true artistic expression shines through on tracks like "Mad Mad," where he built the beat from scratch, infusing it with his personal rhythm and energy. This is followed by songs like Enigma, which hold more lo-fi elements and reflective lyrics that express morose over the harder lessons of life.

Recognizing the need to take his craft seriously and elevate his work, Zodic invested his time and energy into honing his skills and pushing his creative boundaries. Learning from past projects, he embarked on a journey to discover his unique sound and style, breaking free from conventional norms and embracing his own artistic vision. The album represents a significant milestone in Zodic's growth and self-discovery. “I became a better person through adversity,” said Zodic. The self-awareness aspect explored in the album allowed him to specifically connect with his own inner child, and pull from his own childhood experiences: “when you’re a kid, nobody’s giving you straight answers, deflecting from you, you gotta find ways to figure out things in unique ways, stretch your mind, and look at same puzzle diff sides and angles to get the answers, because most people will not help you. But if you’re determined to figure out your path and the answers, or where to go, people will show you. They may not go with you, but they will show you. And that’s what’s been poured into this album – from the time of my childhood to now, the lessons learned and the defiance of creative expression, it’s all there. It’s all connected together.”

To those facing similar circumstances, Zodic offers his advice: find the things that truly resonate with you and hold onto them. Whether it's a passion for art, music, or any other form of self-expression, never let anyone steer you away from what brings you joy and fulfillment. Embrace the creative process, explore different perspectives, and defy societal boundaries that may attempt to confine your imagination. Zodic emphasizes the importance of being genuine, honest, and continuously striving for self-improvement while treating oneself and others with kindness.

Overcoming the Heirarchy of Societal Expectations

Zodic acknowledges the societal pressure on men, particularly men of color, to suppress their emotions. The power of expressing oneself authentically, and by sharing his vulnerabilities, Zodic harnesses this album to challenge societal norms and encourages other men to embrace their emotions.

What’s Next for Zodic?

Z: Dropping the rest of the album. I would like to let my name be heard and just try to take the next step in artistry. I would like to focus on my feature film, seeing how it can get done while trying to get a foothold in the music industry. Either way, I’m ready to continue achieving greatness for myself.

Hierarchy’s Tracklist

1. Melody

2. Down Deep

3. Deez Snakes

4. Party Upstairs

5. Mad Mad

6. Flawless Interlude

7. The Standard

8. Nobody's Problem

9. Desire

10. Make it (One Day)

11. ENIGMA

12. Don't/Always (Do)

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