User:DatKiddz

D.Z. a/k/a Dan Zanka

Bio

D.Z. is a unique voice that is quickly breaking into the hip hop game. Instead of talking about guns and drugs like many other rappers today, D.Z. seeks to have a positive influence on his listeners. “I just want to have fun and for people to have fun in return whey they pop in my CD,” says D.Z. “I’ve got the club songs that make you want to dance, but I also have the kind of tracks that make you think about life.”

Dan Zanka, known in the hip hop world as D.Z., was born in South Bend, Indiana on October 24th, 1986. As a child, he loved sports, including baseball, basketball and golf, but music was his first love. Growing up listenig to legendary performers such as Prince, AC/DC and Michael Jackson through the influence of his father, D.Z. appreciated music from a young age.

In 2001, in D.Z.’s freshman year of high school, he decided he wanted to become involved in hip hop. “I credit Dr. Dre’s Chronic 2001 for my interest in getting involved in hip hop,” says D.Z. “Throughout high school, I was known for freestyle battles during the lunch hour. Crowds of people would gather around the lunch table to see me go against anybody who wanted a take.”

After graduating from Clay High School, he decided to move from his hometown of South Bend to Murfreesboro, Tennessee to attend Middle Tennessee State University in order to pursue a degree in Production and Technology from the renowned Recording Industry program. After learning valuable production skills, D.Z. began working on his album, Doin It to Make It, which was recorded and produced by D.Z. himself and released in September of 2008. “I say it took 8 years to make, because this has been one big process of developing myself as a producer and artist,” says D.Z. “A lot of experiences in life have shaped into the person I am today, and I try my best to convey that through my music.”

The biggest song off Doin It to Make It is the club hit, “Jolly Rancher”. “The basis of the song is about a female who uses her looks to get what she wants, and after she gets it all, she’s off to the next victim,” says D.Z. However, his favorite track off the album is “Got Me Goin”, a song about a one night stand. “The best is crazy and I really like the laid back flow of it,” says D.Z.

D.Z. has high hopes for his future in the music industry. “I see myself as being the hottest producer in the rap game, as well as an artist,” says D.Z. “As long as I’m making music, that’s all that matters. You’ve got to do what you love.”

Album

Title: "Doin It To Make It"

Release Date: Sept 08