After releasing her debut EP Revenge Season in 2019, twenty-two year old Keziah Zoe Meyers, also known as lordkez, has quickly become a big name in the music scene. Having spent her early years in South Africa and the majority of her adolescence in Abu Dhabi, lordkez is a multifaceted vocalist whose work carefully collates a variety of cultures and inspirations, combining soulful vocals and effortlessly expressed emotions to produce incredible music which her innate talent pours through. To lordkez, music is therapy: ‘My approach to making music is rooted deeply in self expression’, she says. ‘I generally make music in the moment and make songs that represent me at any given time. When people listen, I can only hope that it makes them feel good, helps them feel a release and inspires them to express themselves’. Her previous project, Charcotta, was revered by Africa’s biggest hip-hop music magazine Hype Mag, British GQ, Clash Magazine, and others, and now she’s back with a brand new EP, JUICEBOX.
Q: How did you get into music and how has it led you to where you are now?
LORDKEZ: My first experience in music was through my grandfather and the church. I would play instruments and instantly fell in love with chord progressions and melodies. Once that bug bit me, I never let go and I started making songs and realized that I’m pretty good at this. I’m so grateful for music in my life. It’s literally the only thing in life that keeps me together and keeps me focused on the future. It is a blessing to make music.
Q: What is the music scene like in South Africa and did it influence your work and sound?
LORDKEZ: The music scene has been developing for a while now and over the last few years it has really made some big strides, with new sounds developing, new artists rising and a lot of us are getting some good traction internationally which is a good sign for our industry. I wouldn’t say that the music scene influenced my sound, but it definitely influenced me as a person, which inevitably reflects in my music through the nuances in melodies, writing and things like that.
Q: What is the creative process like behind your music?
LORDKEZ: I generally start my process with connecting to a beat, then I find the best melody idea. I might mumble it while figuring out the mood I am trying to represent. Once I find that, I will start writing. I write on my phone or on my notepads. I love writing lyrics down, it helps me take it seriously. Most of the time I find the hook to the songs I make while writing the melodies; whatever feels like it needs to come back, I bring it back and see if it fits the pocket I am working in at that time. My favorite part is developing the melodies. It’s so creative and fun. I also love writing the lyrics, but this is a little more grueling because I take them seriously. I need to say something and I need to mean it.
Q: What was the inspiration behind your new EP JUICEBOX?
LORDKEZ: The inspiration was my mood while creating the music. I felt like I wanted to make something cute – something that my girls can vibe to, do their make-up to, play in the car and sing along together to. That was really the reason I made this little piece of art. It’s really dope to see that people have received it well and understand what I hoped to achieve with it. I am always going to make music in-line with how I feel because it’s my release and my therapy.
Q: Is there a story behind the name lordkez?
LORDKEZ: Yes, there is! Back in the day when I was looking to start my Instagram page, I needed a name. Everyone online was calling themselves “King” and “Queen” and I wasn’t feeling that. I wanted to be something more, something that wasn’t limited to gender or perception. I felt like I am a “lord”, and so “lordkez” was born. It wasn’t that deep.
Q: What would you like to see more of in the creative and music industry?
LORDKEZ: I think the major challenges we face as artists is access to certain industry platforms such as radio and TV. Those are usually exclusively for larger household names, but that’s changing slowly alongside the rise of independent artists. Outside of that, I think more spaces for women is ALWAYS a good thing, I am all for that. I think the best way to improve the state of any industry is collaboration with purpose. I think as artists we can make things happen quicker through strong and purposeful collaborations.
Q: How did you go about creating Rice Krispies and how does it feel to you to see your work out in the world?
LORDKEZ: This was such a fun process. JUICEBOX was actually just three songs at first, but I went to the studio with my friend and producer, Mars Baby, and we started working on a song. He made a beat and as soon as I heard what he was doing I said, “this beat sounds like rice krispies”. Then I had an idea for a melody immediately and I started writing to it. We actually finished the whole song (it was just me on it at first) and then we played it to my executive producer and manager. He immediately loved the energy and said that the song needs to be added to JUICEBOX. He also suggested that we get Money Badoo on it because it would compliment the song’s aesthetic and sound. I was happy to hear that because I have been trying to find the right song for me and her to do together. She came over to my studio over the next few days and we got it done. I love it so much!
Q: What have you been up to recently?
LORDKEZ: Lately, I have been in the studio finding some new inspiration for my album which I am always working towards. I have also been working on some new content pieces that I would like to release – just cute little acoustic songs that I write on my guitar from time to time. Other than that, I am pushing my new EP JUICEBOX and giving it the chance to grow and find the people that relate.
Q: I know you’re a very talented artist and poet. Apart from making music, what other creative projects do you enjoy working on?
LORDKEZ: Fashion! I make outfits from time to time, I love clothing and making fits that express how I feel. I will release a clothing line one day, but first I need to get very good at making these fire outfits.
Q: Plans for the future of lordkez?
LORDKEZ: The plan for lordkez is to keep growing and keep discovering myself through every session and every release. The plan is to develop personally and to translate that professionally. I want to be the best version of the creative I am.
