To Kick Off The Month, Zaena x Jason Maek Drop Two Music Videos and talks about Jussie Smollett, Me Too Movement, Southside of Chicago and R. Kelly
Interview conducted April 01, 2019
by Daniel Locke
Chillin’ centers around Jason Maek’s desire to upgrade his standard of living while repeatedly rejecting his friends request to go out. Instead, he would rather save money by staying home and contemplate life. The video transitions from modern day to Motown, as Zaena skats a-la Diana Ross and the Supremes.
Dan: How did you get started in music?
Zaena: I knew I wanted to be a singer since I was 8. I was in my school’s talent show and never looked back since. When I got older I became a ghostwriter for a lot of artists. From there, I decided it was time for me to find my voice and tell my stories. A few years later, here we are.
Jason Maek: Like Zaena, I was a ghostwriter also. That is how we met. I also worked in artist development and artist development at a few labels and as a freelancer.
Who were your influences while growing up?
Zaena: My father. He moved from my war-torn homeland of Lybia to give us a better life here in the states. My mother is amazing because she was so strong to defy her families wishes and date my dad. Her family did not believe in interracial dating.
Jason Maek: Musically – Ray Charles and Nina Simone. Personally, my mom and dad. They worked tons of jobs and moved us out the projects.
What was the first and last concert did you see?
Zaena x Jason Maek. No joke – our own lol. We don’t see a lot of shows because we are always working on music or other content.
How did you two meet?
Zaena: We were both ghostwriters. We had worked on the same projects a few times. One day Jason was working on something and invited me to come by the studio. A few tracks later, here we are.
How did you get your name for your band?
Zaena x Jason Maek: We just used our first names. We were not cool enough for a duo name lol.
What are some of the best places to check out new music live in Chicago?
Zaena: There are so many to pick from. Don’t make me choose lol.
Jason Maek: Virgin Hotel always has great DJ’s and private shows.
How do you keep producing new music 2 times a month?
Zaena: It’s kinda hard, but super fun. We have so many songs inside of us. It’s great to be forced to get those ideas out.
Jason Maek: It’s exciting. Shooting the videos is a lot more challenging than the recording process. But, I love film so Zaena and I are able to get really outside the box creatively.
Being from Chicago. What is you’re feeling about R. Kelly?
Zaena x Jason Maek: He needs to be locked up for life. He is a predator. People like him do not need to be celebrated for anything.
What do you feel about two women running for mayor of Chicago?
Zaena: It is exciting that so many women of color are getting involved in the political process. It could be a great shake up in our city’s political machine.
What do you think is the future of the South side of Chicago?
Jason Maek: We need fewer food deserts, more community centers and after-school programs, more police that look like the residents, better funding for schools, and more independent businesses by owners that look like the community.
Who designed your website?
Zaena x Jason Maek: The big homie Napoleon from Creative New Ideas (super plug).
Zaena x Jason Maek
What is you’re feeling about the Me Too Movement?
Zaena: The stories you are hearing from brave women across the world are things that unfortunately have been happening to women forever. Now, we are just getting a large enough platform for people to hear these stories and actually mobilize to do something about it. I am excited for the day that the stories of women of color are taking a lot more seriously. But, finally they are getting to R Kelly. So that’s a step.
Have you ever been to the Chicago Music Awards?
Zaena x Jason Maek: Yes we have. We attended last year. It is great that a platform like that exists.
Any plans to play anything like the Taste of Chicago or anything bigger?
Zaena x Jason Maek: Maybe. We just got a new booking agent so it’s possible. We have been just so focused on the tour.
Who would be your dream person to join you on stage?
Zaena: Dead: Michael Jackson. Alive: Beyonce, Rihanna, Cardi B. Once again, way too many to mention.
Jason Maek: Dead: Prince. Alive – Red Hot Chill Peppers.
Have you seen the television series “Drop the Mic”. What do you think of it?
Zaena x Jason Maek: We haven’t, but now we have something new to binge watch.
Any feelings about the Jussie Smollett scandal?
Zaena x Jason Maek
Zaena x Jason Maek: If his alleged charges are true. We say alleged because I don’t trust CPD or TMZ who reported the findings. I don’t want the narrative that we should ignore reports of violence against black LGBTQIA people because they might be lying to become a thing. I’ve seen Fox News start this spin. The fact is that violence against black LGBTQIA members is up in the last two years. So if he is lying, he should be locked up. But, we don’t trust the sources the news is coming from.
Also, CPD never can tell me again they can’t find a murder because they solved this case quicker that Scooby Doo Mystery Inc.
How do you see yourself in 5 years?
Zaena x Jason Maek: Growing as artists and making better music.
Anything in closing?
Zaena x Jason Maek: We want to thank everyone who takes the time to listen to our music and watch the videos. That is amazing and we really appreciate your support.
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