Z3NA is Shaping a Generation with Beats from the Heart

Sometimes, the road to sound begins in silence—in longing, in frustration, in the spaces where vision outpaces resource. For Otaigbe Nehizena, professionally known as Z3na, it began with an artist’s dream and a producer’s necessity. When studio doors didn’t open wide enough, he built his own. When others couldn’t capture the music in his head, he taught himself to speak it fluently—beat by beat.

Today, Z3na’s fingerprints can be found on records from Nigeria to France, from Guchi’s rhythm-drenched “Blood Tonic” to Khalid’s “Diversity” EP. Whether working with Ozedikus or helping independent artists find their voice, Z3na brings a rare alchemy: technical mastery and emotional intelligence. His beats don't just move the body—they reach for the soul.

In this conversation, we step inside the creative mind of Z3na: his journey, inspirations, process, and poetic approach to sound.

Q: How did your journey into music production begin?

A: I started out as an artist who couldn’t afford studio sessions, and even when I scraped the funds together, the producers never quite got the sound I had in my head. So I figured why not learn to make it myself? It wasn’t just about saving money, it was about taking control of the vision. That decision flipped everything for me.

Q: When did you start making music?

A: I’d say 2019, just before the lockdown. I got a laptop for school, but all I really wanted to do was make music on it. Then the world shut down and I locked in. No distractions, just me, the laptop, and the beats.

Q: What was the first beat or track you ever made, and how do you feel about it now?

A: I can’t remember the exact first track I ever made, but I clearly remember the first one I uploaded when I decided to go pro. I was still learning, still figuring out my sound, but at that moment, I was proud of it. I played it on repeat like it was gold because for where I was then, it was. That excitement reminded me why I started.

Q: Were there any specific artists or producers that inspired your sound early on?

A: Definitely. Artists like Omah Lay and Oxlade had a huge impact on me, their melodies, their emotion, the way they rode the beat with such finesse. On the production side, I learned a lot from YouTube producers like Chu, Vesh Beats, Hitsound, and Mykah. They were like my virtual mentors before I even knew what a producer tag was.

Q: Can you walk us through your creative process?

A: I usually start with a feeling. I like to know the emotion I’m trying to portray before I touch anything. That makes picking sounds easier, more intentional. Other times, I hear a song and think, “How would this sound if I produced it?” Then I flip the idea and make it mine. It’s a mix of mood and imagination.

Q: What tools or software do you swear by in the studio?

A: I use FL Studio a lot, and when I’m working with samples, I switch to Ableton Live, it just handles them better. I wouldn’t say I swear by any specific DAW or tools though, because the landscape keeps evolving. But right now, I really love SoundID by Sonarworks. It helps me calibrate my monitors and headphones so my mixes stay consistent, no matter where I’m working.

Q: What’s your approach when collaborating with artists—do you lead the direction or bounce off their energy?

A: First off, I have to genuinely like their music otherwise, it feels forced. Once that’s there, I try to understand who they are and what they’re about. I usually ask what they’re looking to create, and from there, we build something together. It’s less about control and more about connection, the best ideas come when we’re both on the same wavelength.

Q: Would you say you have a signature sound? How did it evolve?

A: I’ve always made music based on emotion and feeling, so I didn’t think I had a “signature sound” at first. But over time, it started to take shape unintentionally. Lately, people have been telling me they can recognize my sound, and I’ve started to hear it too. It’s like my emotions found their own sonic fingerprint.

Q: Is there a project or song you feel has defined your career so far?

A: I’d say working with Nej on her album. I had three songs on there, and it was surreal seeing that she genuinely connected with my sound. That kind of validation hits different. The album ended up going Gold, and that moment really reminded me that what I’m creating is resonating on a bigger scale.

Q: You named one of your beats ‘Majo.’ What usually inspires the names you give to your beats?

A: Titles come from vibes. Sometimes it’s a word that captures the energy/ emotion. Other times it’s how the beat feels romantic, rebellious, spiritual. Naming is part poetry, part instinct.

Q: Do you think the title shapes how someone hears the beat?

A: Yeah, I think it does. A title sets the mood, it kind of gets you ready for what’s coming. Before the first sound even hits, your mind’s already in a certain space, and that changes how you receive the beat.

Q: Which artists (past or present) would be a dream to work with?

A: I’d say Emeli Sandé—her 2016 album was pure emotion, from the instrumentals to the lyrics. It felt honest, powerful, and timeless. I’d also love to work with TAR1Q. The way he tells stories through emotions really resonates with me. Both of them create from a deep place, and that’s the kind of energy I connect with.

Q: How do you see your role in shaping the sound of this generation?

A: Being on YouTube has allowed me to reach a lot of new and upcoming artists, many of them have made songs, even developed their sound, using my instrumentals. It’s humbling to know that my beats are part of someone’s creative journey. In a way, I’m helping shape the sound of this generation one artist at a time.

Conclusion

Z3na remains rooted in feeling—proof that music doesn’t have to shout to be heard. His journey is for the heart. With every beat he names, every artist he uplifts, Z3na quietly reminds us that the future of sound will not just be loud—it will be intentional, personal, and powerfully human.