Interview with rapper Double Zulu: "On DBZ 3.0 I wanted to prove things to myself"

Lyrics evoking his loneliness, his relationship with his loved ones, his doubts… this is the challenge that Double Zulu has given itself for its new EP DBZ 3.0 released on December 8th. A goal he explains to Justfocus:

It is the third installment in the DBZ series… What has changed since the first release in 2019?

The first is a compilation of songs without artistic direction, I recorded 13 tracks and I put everything direct without choosing… I wanted to prove that I was capable of rapping. In DBZ 2 there is a little more art direction, I am more mature and less on technique. Regarding DBZ 3.0 which closes the series, I rap with the heart, more with the brain… This time I wanted to prove things to myself… See if I was able to release a 10-track project with real art direction from start to finish. For each project I have to have an evolution.  

And how did you work on this EP?

I started working on it a year and a half ago with a first piece Monkey in winter. It was supposed to be an EP of 5 introspective tracks but as I moved forward on the project I changed my mind. I decided to address other themes, to bring different colors to make a more complete project.  

You invited Joe Roscoe and Beeby, with whom you had already collaborated. Why them?

I've known Joe Roscoe for a while, I've always enjoyed what he does. While working on the Mojo sound I had trouble finding a chorus and I wanted to invite someone on it… I thought of him because I find him really strong in topline. He suggested to put his verse there too: I gave him carte blanche and it matched! Regarding Beeby, we've known each other for 10 years, he's my brother in rap and it's the 5th time we've collaborated together. We were in the same mood when writing Triple Double. This song is the consecration of our friendship: I am Double Zulu and he is Triple Dollar Boy, so Triple Double… We are very happy with this title!   

About Monkey in Winter you were talking about, it's a sound that addresses loneliness… theme illustrated on the cover made by Biscuit Studio. What does it have to do with this feeling?

Since I was a child I have always been in my bubble and I find myself there again when I make music. I work almost all the time alone, it's the only way for me to concentrate… so it amplifies my solitary side. This EP represents my crossing of the desert, at that time I lived a situation a little rented. Through the cover and my titles I share a moment of my life. 

We hear that you really open up in Mojo for example, you say "I don't neglect my mental health anymore". Was it difficult to do?

It's a real job! I said ok I know how to rap it's good… But we are in a time where people need to identify, to feel that they have experienced the same things as you. It was a real challenge! In my previous projects I opened up stealthily, but I wanted to say more.  

And we get more and more into your thoughts over the titles…

The project is conceived like an hourglass, being more and more introspective… But without calculation: everything happened naturally. There is also a mirror effect on the prods. The beatmaker who does the intro also does the outro, the one who makes the 4th song does the 6th… It's all in the details.  

At the end we are surprised by Life is beautiful which contrasts with the other pieces, the atmosphere is more joyful. Why this choice?

Despite all the emotions I can feel: sadness, anger… I keep in mind that life is beautiful! I recorded it last and I said to myself that it must be the final title, it sounds the end of this crossing of the desert.  

It even looks like an opening on a future project

That's totally it! If we look at the cover of the EP there are two panels: one to the left with the names of previous projects, and one to the right with the name of the next one which is a little erased. Moreover, this future project will be entirely realized with the person who produced the sound La vie est belle. The rest is coming!