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

Zaire Huruku: Some say I was born in Rwanda, and some say I was born in Goma, Zaire. But it’s a story that I don’t quite know because I lost my family at a young age. I spent my childhood in Rwanda, until I was a toddler. Then, we moved to Goma. At the time, I believe my parents were still in college, so they went back and forth. From time to time, I would stay with my grandparents in the village. I would spend a few weeks there and learn about my origins and where I come from. My grandparents used to sing, so therefore I sang with them most of the time. In the village, when you work, you sing, and the work goes faster that way. I was also inspired seeing what musicians were doing with their tambourines in church, and was intrigued when my father let me dance with the Zulus. I wanted to do that, but my father wanted me to focus on school. I believe I always had music in me. I’d sing a lot, and watch music videos, but my mom would get so mad at me, telling me it was devil music. She wanted me to do church music. So I also did singing and dancing in church. There are so many times in my life that have shown me that I am destined to be a singer. When I was a child, I would sing songs in English and in French. I did not know what the English songs meant. Sometimes I would sing Boys II Men, and I was too young to be singing about that, so I would get in trouble with my parents.

 

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

Zaire Huruku: I used to be called Siral AfricanChild. Siral is Laris spelled backward, which is my middle name. In the United States, it’s my first name. But, I thought it was too long and not very catchy– plus I was getting myself into trouble when I called myself that. Therefore, I tried to figure out what a name that people would respect would be. I want to become the greatest storyteller in music, so therefore I needed to have a name that had a lot of history to it, good and bad. Stories cannot always be perfect, and that’s what makes them beautiful. One day I was just sitting writing a song, and I thought, I always carry my flag of Zaire with me, and I never let it go, so why am I so attached to a flag? Then, I started looking into it, what it stands for, its meaning. So I went and looked for the meaning of Zaire, and once I knew the meaning, I decided that I wanted my music to carry that meaning with it. I decided to call myself Zaire. I’m well aware that people say it’s the name of the old country, but that’s where I was born, and I’m representing its meaning and its culture, not the person who ran it, even though I’ve been told I look like Mobutu. I want to be a storyteller, and I want to tell people about Zaire, because I lived there for 10 years and I know the history. I also keep updated on what’s going on there now, because I always want to know, so I don’t forget where I come from. Zaire was once my home, and I carry that in my heart. That’s how I came up with Zaire Huruku. Huruku is a word that I mixed with Kihutu and Rishuru, because I was interested in knowing my origins, being a Hutu, and my grandparents lived there, where I used to visit. I had the greatest time there, because I always enjoyed learning from elders.

 

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

Zaire Huruku: I had never done online music sharing, because I didn’t know how it works. I wouldn’t mind if people could share their music, it’s a part of appreciating someone else’s art, even if it’s for free. At first I didn’t give my music away for free, because I believe that I’ve put a lot of work into it and invested a lot in it, and it feels like me selling myself short. A lot of people do not know what it takes to write and sing a beautiful song, and all the work that goes into creating it. I want to show that my work is worth paying for. It’s the truth, my songs are about things that have really happened, it’s not fantasy, it’s real. So I would think that people would pay for something real, I know I would. I’d buy their music instead of downloading it for free, because I appreciate their creation and the time they put in. But the world that we live in today, people are not too interested in knowing about other’s struggles, because they’re too busy trying to figure out their own life. But sometimes it’s nice if they can take the time and notice there are people out there who go through worse.

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?

Zaire Huruku: I’m still a local artist looking to make it, so someone should share those tips with me! I’d be grateful. I don’t have that much experience. I’m hoping that I will find people to guide me as I evolve further in my career.

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

Zaire Huruku: My songwriting process is that I listen to a beat, and then I go for it. I freestyle, and when I like the beat, I write to it. Or I will go back to lyrics I’ve written before and try them out with those beats, and develop the idea. Then I go from there. It makes it easier than starting from scratch. That’s why I’m always writing so I have constant ideas to choose from. Some ideas might work with certain beats. It just depends on the way I feel what kind of song I’m going to write that day. It’s a fun process, especially when you are making mistakes or you can’t quite get the tune or melody. Since English is my fourth language, I sometimes have a hard time pronouncing the word, so it takes me a couple times to get it, but I enjoy the process and the creation.

 

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

Zaire Huruku: I do have a website, ZaireHuruku.com. You can find me on almost any online platform, like iTunes, Spotify, Amazon music, and Google Play. I also post my music on Soundcloud, Bandcamp and Youtube, and have Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. You can also watch my music video for my song, Anywhere, on my Youtube channel, and the video I just released, Born and Raised. I love feedback, so leave a comment on any of my pages if you like what you hear or have any advice.

 

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

Zaire Huruku: I would invest in making more music, and rebuilding the parts of my country that have been destroyed by war. I’d also buy some important buildings and areas where history has occurred, but have been abandoned for no one to preserve. I want to preserve my country’s history, so when we have visitors, they will know the beautiful culture we have. My music will also help me rebuild my country by bringing people together. I’m creating awareness that they need to stop with the gunplay and the violence. At the end of the day, we’re all human beings. We are all born to a mother and a father, we all feel the same pain when we lose them. So why keep doing it to each other?

 

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

Zaire Huruku: I’ve been doing what feels right, and figuring out along the way what works best for me. In addition to promoting my music on social networking websites, I promote my music constantly in different ways. I’m always passing out flyers, made by Hannah, my girlfriend, and cds with a few of my songs on them. I also go to shows and try to meet people in the industry. I call radio stations and send them my music. I constantly promote myself and talk to all kinds of people to get my music out there.

 

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

Zaire Huruku: I just released my second music video for a song called Born and Raised off of the EP I released earlier this year. I’m currently working on songs for my next album. I believe it’s going to take me on a nice journey, that will teach me to be more in touch with my emotions, and so I can learn to just let it go. I’ve been trying to teach myself to let it go. I’ve tried psychiatrists, but I believe music is the best therapy and the only way I can start feeling a little bit of peace. I’ve carried my pain for 15 years. Now I’m learning to let it go, so I can live my life and move forward. I’ve also launched a Kickstarter project to raise $1000 to fund my next album, so check that out.

 

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

Zaire Huruku: If I weren’t doing music, I’d be working with refugees and immigrants. Because I once was a refugee coming to America, I know how it feels and I want to give back. I’d also be helping orphans, because I’m one as well. But I am blessed to have a mother and father who love me. Sometimes they can be a pain, but I adore them. That’s how African parents are, very strict. I still hope I can change my mom’s heart about doing music. I guess I’ve got to sing a beautiful tune to her to change her mind. One day I will.

 

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

Zaire Huruku: Lately it has been difficult. I just got fired from both of my jobs (lol). But I’ve realized that maybe this is a sign I need to be working full time on my music. I had been wanting to try that out for a long time, and now this is my opportunity. I’ve been working harder than ever on promoting my music and writing songs. I have more time now to dedicate to my music, working on my album, connecting with other musicians, promoting my EP, and making music videos. Lately my main responsibility has been to my music, so I’ve been putting all my focus there.

 

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

Zaire Huruku: Fans should look forward to more mature and beautiful music from me, more music videos, and the launch of the clothing line I’m creating with my girlfriend. We’ll be selling African inspired t-shirts with the Zaire Huruku logo we created to embody who I am and the image of Afro Elegance that I want my music to present to the world.