Zoric Is Here to Stay: From Humble Beginnings to a Soul-Stirring Sound That Transcends BordersI love the spirituality of art; there’s always the backstory of discovery and being called into your purpose — and it was just the same for Zoric.
We had a sit-down with Zoric for The Book.
The Book is not just another Interview series, it’s a conscious documentation, an intentional carving in the annals of music history. It’s about the journeys, experiences, the stories and knowledge that shapes our Industry today. We believe these change makers should be documented. Every story is unique!
My conversation with him started off light. I wanted to know the how and when — the foundation of it all. And for Zoric?? the church played a major role. Safe to say, it was his first interaction with the world of music.
“It was my first connection to sound and in primary school I found myself drawn to the hand drums and that is where everything started to come alive. The rhythm, the movement and the emotion unlocked something creatively in me. It taught me how to feel music, not just play it.”
But did he know he wanted to make a career off music?
Let me paint a picture: Zoric grew up in the northern part of Nigeria, and it’s not very common for people to choose music as a career path there. It could have been difficult, or chances are he wouldn’t have thought much into the talent.
But there was a moment when Zoric actually began to see music as more than a talent — it became a passion.
“The moment I realized I could not stop writing songs even when I wanted to, that is when I knew this was not a hobby it was a purpose. Music chose me.”
On what fuels his artistry, Zoric solidifies that it’s the love and support from his parents.
“They gave me love and I am using that love to build something bigger than myself.”
According to Zoric:
“The sound is Afro-soul, a fusion of soulful elements of Afrobeat, blended with emotion, rhythm and storytelling. It is music that speaks to the spirit. Every melody, every lyric is crafted to touch the soul to carry every listener through feelings they did not even know they needed to feel. It is rooted in the African experience, but it reaches beyond borders. It is heartfelt, honest and deeply human.”
But talent alone isn’t always enough — especially when you’re coming from a place rarely spotlighted in the Nigerian mainstream. Being based in the North, Zoric had to put in the extra.
“Coming from a region that’s underrepresented, it’s not just about talent — it’s about access. Opportunities are limited, resources are scarce, and sometimes it feels like you’re screaming into the void, hoping someone hears you,” he shares. “But even with that, I kept creating because I believe in the message, I believe in the sound, and I believe that one day, the right ears will listen.”
That unwavering belief brings us to HERE TO STAY — his debut EP, a project that feels more like a testimony than a tracklist. It’s a body of work that unpacks the internal tug-of-war between desire and identity.
“HERE TO STAY is me exploring the balance and the battle between the things we chase and the things we feel,” Zoric says. “Love, money, and struggle are all connected. We chase love but get hurt, we chase money but lose ourselves. And through it all, we are just trying to survive and stay true. My music speaks to that tension — the highs and lows — and the lessons that come with it. I am telling stories about what it means to want more, to feel too much, and to keep going.”
One of the project’s defining moments came during a period of emotional overwhelm — a moment it all clicked and came together.
“The sound felt honest, the stories felt necessary and that is when I knew this was not just a collection of songs but a chapter of my life that needed to be heard.”
Among the tracks, one stands out not just for its sonics, but for its backstory. Track 1, he says, is closest to his heart — his baby, you might call it.
“It was born out of a low moment,” he recounts. “I was feeling down at the time. Then a friend, out of nowhere, called me, singing one of my songs back to me. That moment gave me a sense of relief I couldn’t even explain. It reminded me why I started doing this — how powerful my music really is. Right after that call, the inspiration just poured out of me and the song came to life. It was like healing through sound, both for me and I hope for anyone who listens.”
When listeners press play on this EP, Zoric aims to provide an experience — freedom, a journey of togetherness even.
“I want listeners to feel something real, whether it’s pain or joy. My music is a space where emotions are safe to exist, and I want them to know they are not alone in whatever they are going through.”
And if you’re discovering Zoric for the first time through this EP, know this:
“I am someone who creates from my truth. My sound is different because it comes from real-life experiences, real emotions, and a deep need to connect with my listeners. I’m not here to chase trends. I’m here to tell stories, to make people feel, and to leave something lasting.”
“As a person, I’m growing, learning, hurting, healing — and all of that finds its way into my songs. I’m not perfect, but I’m honest. And through every track, I hope you feel a little more seen, understood, or inspired to be yourself too.”
Zoric’s story is a reminder that purpose has no borders, and real art always finds a way. From the hand drums of primary school to the soulful echoes of HERE TO STAY, he is building a legacy rooted in truth, resilience, and heart. This is just the beginning — and Zoric is here not just to make music, but to make meaning.
Interview conducted by A&R Duty
Written by Andrea Andy