In our last conversation Zacari and I spoke about his favourite song off of Bliss. “I would say my favourite song right now is Reverse. I think it’s one of the best songs I’ve ever written.”
From there, we began to discuss the project name. Zacari shares that he had the name of the album for quite some time. “I had the name Bliss for a while. There were alternatives, which I’ll probably use in the future, but Bliss was definitely the main choice.”
The project consists of 17 songs, with guest verses from Ty Dolla $ign, Doechii, Beam, Ab-Soul, Blxst and Isaiah Rashad. “I make so many songs on a weekly basis. The main thing with the album and choosing the songs for it – I wanted to make sure they weren’t just tracks I was writing, but that they reflected parts of my life,” he adds.
The process of finalising a project can often be lengthy, especially when changes have to be made. Zacari gives insight into how things work at TDE (Top Dawg Entertainment). “I have to play the songs to the label executives. Even during the process of creating projects, I send songs and we’re consistently updating one another. That way, we’re bouncing ideas off each other. I play the songs for my manager and other people as well.”
With so many people involved in the process, constructive criticism is inevitable. “I have to deal with it all the time, especially from people I’ve been working with for a long time and those I respect in the industry. I love getting feedback on my music.”
Just coming off tour with fellow label mate SiR, Zacari shares where he currently draws inspiration from. “I just finished a tour with SiR, and that was very inspiring. I arrived back in LA from fishing, so I even found some inspiration in doing something like that.” He goes on to explain how the tour was: “The tour was amazing, man. I was happy to be on the road and I learnt so much while being on this tour. Being able to see how SiR does things – the vocal exercises – is really inspiring. And for me to go out and perform my songs… his fans were great.”
Preparation for tours can be stressful, as life on the road is completely different. Zacari shares how he prepared for this one in particular. “There are a lot of rehearsals a month before the actual tour. I tried to record less too, leading up to it. I stopped creating so many new songs and focused on my health. It’s a draining experience being on a bus for an extended period of time. The meals you eat are different. I went to the gym a lot to make sure I was healthy. SiR also had a workout programme, so while on the road we hit the gym too. I know that if I feel healthy, I can perform well – and that means I’m going to have a good show.”
Speaking on imposter syndrome, Zacari shares that he is grateful for the support system around him. “I think what helps me the most is the people I have around me and in my life people who remind me who I am. My family, who I see all the time. My little brother lives with me too.”
He further explains the importance of having a good support structure, especially in the music industry. “I think it’s super important. There were years when I avoided people and just wanted to be by myself. Sometimes I can take that too far – where solitude turns into loneliness. It’s important to have people around who believe in you when you can’t believe in yourself. That’s also what keeps me going and motivated. There’s only so much one person can do.”
In closing, Bliss is more than just an album for Zacari – it’s a reflection of his journey, growth, and the experiences that have shaped him. Through vulnerability, discipline, and a strong support system, he continues to evolve as an artist and individual. As he steps into this new chapter, Zacari remains grounded in his purpose, drawing inspiration from both his surroundings and the people closest to him.