Finish the song. Even if you think it’s bad, or if it’s actually bad. That’s not the point of writing anyways, ha. There is value and a reward for those who finish songs.
When you feel uninspired go to those who are and find your inspiration again. Inspiration is everywhere and can be found in the simplest of things if you are willing to look.
The ideas that you think ‘aren’t that good’ or ‘wouldn’t translate well’… go back to those, there might be gold there.
You have nothing to prove. Be where you are at and aim for growth over being impressive. Jesus has you in this specific moment in time for a reason. Rest and do everything from the posture of knowing you are a daughter.
Have humility. Ask more questions. You need all of the help that you can get. People have gone before you and are more than willing to give you advice and help you.
As a part of our series about “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became An Artist” I had the pleasure of interviewing Zahriya Zachary.
Born and raised in Spring, Texas, Bethel Music’s Zahriya Zachary didn’t come from a musical family, but her love for music began at the early age of six while learning to play the piano. She began leading worship when she was a freshman in college, and throughout that time, she began volunteering on her church’s worship team, while she learned more about what it means to have a worshiper’s heart.
Zachary recently released her highly anticipated debut full-length album, “REDISCOVERY,” a 13-track collection that includes her previously released singles “Better Than I Thought” and “Shine On Me” featuring Edward Rivera. Through “REDISCOVERY,” Zachary reflects on her journey over the past three years, with each song representing a thought, discovery, or moment she’s had with God. With a pop-forward sound and vertically focused lyrics, the album is filled with messages of hope and honesty, unveiling the hard truths of surrender while highlighting the joy and freedom it brings.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
I grew up in Houston, Texas with a wonderfully dedicated and loving mom. My family has always been super tight knit and lovers of Jesus. I did not come from a musical family, but my family loved music — R&B, Gospel and Soul were the soundtracks of my childhood. I have countless memories of listening to albums from top to bottom on repeat. I started becoming fascinated with music around the age of six, and that is when my journey with piano began. I have been in love with music ever since then.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
I was attending Texas Tech University and at the time I was a sophomore, majoring in Philosophy with the intention of becoming a lawyer. I grew up in church my whole life but the idea of being a worship leader never crossed my mind. One day I was on my way to class and I felt the Lord stop me and He said, “I will bless whatever you choose, I just want you to know that I would love for you to do worship. Whether you do law or worship I will bless you.” I remember asking myself, “what does that even mean??” Haha. I felt such a wave of faith, that I immediately called my mom and told her that I was not going to law school and that I was going to pursue worship. I had no idea that the ‘yes’ I gave in the unknown would lead to where my life is today.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
I have had a few full circle moments in my career. Just coming into contact and being able to connect with people who influenced me as a kid. I feel like it is very rare that you get to meet your heroes. One night I was backstage at a conference, and CeCe Winans was backstage, and I had the opportunity to meet her. Before I could even say ‘hi,’ she knew who I was. I about nearly fell over from sheer shock. I had a beautiful moment with her just feeling deep gratitude for that moment I got to have. To be encouraged by the people we look up to and have admired is a rare gift.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
I just released my first full length album titled ‘Rediscovery,’ and I am incredibly proud of it. I am having fun learning what it means for me to be an artist and to share what I’ve created with the Lord. I have also been in the dreaming phase of what a Christmas project might look like so stay tuned for that! It may or may not happen.
Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?
I think that some of the most interesting people I have met are the people who have been in music, and just creativity in general, who have been going for 20 years or longer. I am always intrigued by those people, because being an artist and a creative is a commitment, and I look up to people who have been committed to their craft for the long haul, and more specifically, those who are thriving in their personal lives, family life and their relationship with Jesus. Being around people like that gives me hope, and also something to look forward to. It feels like approaching a 100-year-old tree and marveling at how it made it that long and is still thriving.
Where do you draw inspiration from? Can you share a story about that?
I draw inspiration from things that deeply move me. I will sometimes go on Spotify or YouTube and just look at an artist I have never heard of, or even music that I would not normally listen to, and find inspiration there. Some of my most favorite artists to date have come from me taking a random wormhole or two, ha. It’s just the best feeling to try something new.
I also love to find inspiration through books that I am reading. Currently, I have been reading ‘Bright Evening Star’ by Madeleine L’Engle. I have been parked at this book for quite some time now, and I have felt deeply inspired by it.
How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?
I don’t really consider my success my own. I am deeply grateful to the Lord that He would give me songs and language not only for myself, but for His church and His people. I have received countless messages about people listening to my music and being healed, encountering Jesus, and being set free. I believe the highest point of goodness is that people would come into contact with Jesus and encounter Him. That they would know the radical, life-saving hope that is found only in Him. I’ve found that any goodness that has come from my gifts has come only through serving God and His people and giving those gifts away.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
- Finish the song. Even if you think it’s bad, or if it’s actually bad. That’s not the point of writing anyways, ha. There is value and a reward for those who finish songs.
- When you feel uninspired go to those who are and find your inspiration again. Inspiration is everywhere and can be found in the simplest of things if you are willing to look.
- The ideas that you think ‘aren’t that good’ or ‘wouldn’t translate well’… go back to those, there might be gold there.
- You have nothing to prove. Be where you are at and aim for growth over being impressive. Jesus has you in this specific moment in time for a reason. Rest and do everything from the posture of knowing you are a daughter.
- Have humility. Ask more questions. You need all of the help that you can get. People have gone before you and are more than willing to give you advice and help you.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I have a long-term goal of creating a non-profit of sorts that supports people and also the families and friends of those that wrestle with mental illnesses. Where there could even be basic information of what that person is going through, as well as resources to help. I found in my own journey, that trying to explain to others what was happening was one of the most difficult parts. The moment when you need surrounding the most, it can just be hard to find the language to let people in. I would love to give people hope, and also language to close the gap that so many are facing.
We have been blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she just might see this.
I would love to meet Alicia Keys. I have looked up to her since I was a little girl. She is a huge reason why I even wanted to learn how to play the piano. I have a great deal of respect for her as a singer, songwriter, producer and all of her other endeavors she does with excellence. She’s just incredible and to meet her and just say “thank you” in person would be a gift.
What is the best way our readers can follow you on social media?
My instagram is @zahriya.zachary; youtube, facebook and tiktok are all under “Zahriya Zachary.”
Zahriya Zachary: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became An Artist was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.