Exposed Vocals Interviews Lil Zoot

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an Artist?

 

Lil Zoot: My name is Lil Zoot, also known as Yung Jefe. I grew up in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. I came from nothing. I moved around a lot growing up, and I never stayed in one place long. To be honest, I didn’t want to be a rapper growing up, but music has always been a huge part of my life. Rapping kind of found me, thanks to one of my 10 year brothers, XL Roxy. Rapping really saved my life.

 

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

 

Lil Zoot: Yung Jefe was a nick name given to me by my uncle (Free Jefe)! Lil Zoot was a name given to me by one of my old homies. The inspiration behind it comes from a phrase “Zooted and Booted,” but the reason I was given the name is because I have such positive, energetic attitude. People who know me would say I’m always “turnt up” (I’m always Zooted is how I say it, it’s the Lingo). The whole idea behind the two names is two completely different personalities. Lil Zoot is hot headed and fighting depression, but Yung Jefe is more focused about business. That is where the whole idea of “ZOOTED BUT FOCUSED” comes from. I’m focused on doing better, and God blessed me with the maturity to know I could do bigger things. I talk about that a lot in my music.

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

 

Lil Zoot: Any kind of platform online that helps you promote your music for free is a win in my opinion. Most of the websites are free, like Soundcloud, while some cost money. I really believe that you have to invest in your career for others to want to invest time into your music. You have to spend money to make money. That leads into the next question; not everyone has the money to pay for a mixtape, but almost all of the people you give one to for free are going to take it and listen to it!

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

Lil Zoot: I mean, I am an upcoming artist and I still have so much to learn because I’m young. In my opinion, it is most important to get you music out there! Second, go to clubs, talk to DJs, and meet people to network with. You never know who you’re talking to!

 

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

 

Lil Zoot: I get song inspiration from things I’ve been through and experienced, and things that I see that I disagree with in society. My usual song writing process is pretty simple, I think. First, I listen to the beat and write the song in sections. I then revise it, and go from there. Everyone has their own way to write music, so just find a way that works for you and be different. I write music to help me cope with life, so anytime I’m going through something I write a song. That’s why you can feel my pain in my music, because it’s real.

 

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

 

Lil Zoot: My label is Lingo Entertainment and http://lingoent.wix.com/home is the Lingo website. Everything connected to MONEYMOBLINGO to keep you up to date on booking, shows, and music can be found there! I also use Soundcloud to share music. My personal account is http://soundcloud.com/lilzoot918. http://soundcloud.com/lingoent is the link to Lingo Entertainment’s Soundcloud. They post music from all of their signed artists on there.

 

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?

 

Lil Zoot: To be honest, I don’t like time off, but I’m always grinding in one way or another. If I was given half a  million and a year off I would probably travel the world, study other cultures, and make music. Music is what I love.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

 

Lil Zoot: Once again I’m not an expert at this in any way, but Hip-Hop blogs are an amazing resource to learn from, but I really promote all of my music on social media. Social media is an immensely useful tool in promoting your music. Giving your music away at the mall or local schools in your area to get it out there is free promotion. It’s all about the grind and consistency. That is what works best for me!

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

 

Lil Zoot: What is next for Lil Zoot? I’m going to continue to grind, have faith, and do what I love to do, which making good music! I have several projects that I am working on now, but my first mixtape will be titled “ZOOTED BUT FOCUSED.” There isn’t an exact date for the project yet, but just know that this is going to be a hot summer! You can find out about all things new at our website http://lingoent.wix.com/home to help stay up to date with upcoming projects shows, and anything else you need to know!

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

 

Lil Zoot: Honestly I’d probably be dead or in prison. I can’t imagine my life without music. I was never really good at anything growing up. I feel like God blessed me with a gift, which is my ability to make great music. Greatness in the rap game is destined for me!

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

 

Lil Zoot: Everyone has responsibilities outside of their music. I believe that if this is for you and music is what you love you’ll make time for it. Everywhere I go I’m working on a song even if it’s just four bars here and there. I take music with me everywhere, literally, I guess that’s just how I make it work.

 

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?

 

Lil Zoot:  First off, in 2016, the people should just expect great music. It’s going to be coming fast! I have four projects in the works at the moment, and you can always expect progression from Lil Zoot. I’ll always give my fans my best. I have made a commitment to my fans to get better every song, so that’s the plan!

 

Lil Zoot, also known as Yung Jefé, is a young, upcoming artist hailing from the great state of Oklahoma with big dreams and an old soul.

“You’ll make it when you want it worse than you want to breathe and you grind like no one ever has.