Getting to Know… Zayd

Reading Time: 6 min read

In the 448^th Q&A in our Getting to Know… series, we get the inside scoop from Canadian singer/songwriter Zayd.

“My music blends the raw intensity of rock and metal with deep, emotional storytelling. I don’t just play songs—I create moments..” Eloquently stated, Zayd – simply beautiful! He adds, “When people come to my shows, I want them to walk away feeling like they’re part of something bigger—a community, a movement, a family.” That is awesome! We get the inside scoop on Zayd’s beginnings, goals, musical influences, and current, and future musical endeavors. So, without further ado, let’s jump into Getting to Know… Zayd: Interview No. 448!

For those who may not be familiar with you, what would you say makes you distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?

My music blends the raw intensity of rock and metal with deep, emotional storytelling. I don’t just play songs—I create moments. Every track I write comes from a place of real struggle, real pain, and the relentless pursuit of hope. I want my audience to feel something raw and unfiltered, to know they’re not alone in their battles. When people come to my shows, I want them to walk away feeling like they’re part of something bigger—a community, a movement, a family.

Live performances? That’s where I come alive. It’s not just about playing music; it’s about unleashing energy, breaking down walls, and making sure every person in that room feels it. I push myself to the limit—sometimes literally, with how high of a stage I can launch off. I know I’m gonna regret this when I’m older, but right now, it’s the only way I know how to channel all this energy. My goal is simple: to leave everything on that stage and give people a show they’ll never forget.

Okay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. What were some of your goals or visions early?

I’m a solo artist—a rare thing in the rock/metal genre—but everything you hear in my music is 100% me. It’s a one-man army!

I started as a guitarist and songwriter, playing with various bands. Unfortunately, no matter how much energy I invested, the bands kept breaking up. By 2014, I felt drained and quit, thinking my journey was over. In 2015, everything changed. I was with this girl—spoiler alert, she’s now my wife—who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. She told me she loved my voice, something I’d never heard before. Her encouragement gave me the courage to pick up the mic and find my voice.

I recorded my first song, “Father”, in 2016 but fear held me back from releasing it. That changed in 2017 when I met my guitar idol, Mark Tremonti (Creed, Alter Bridge), at a guitar clinic during the Alter Bridge Canada tour. I played “Father” for him, and he said something I’ll never forget: “Let the world decide where this song belongs. Don’t hold back.” Those words ignited my Journey.

From the very beginning, I understood that music wasn’t just a hobby—it was my calling, and I had to treat it like a business. I never wanted to make music just for my friends to hear; I wanted to take it beyond borders, to reach people who needed it. I believe I have something real to share —something that gives people hope. That’s been my vision since day one, and it still drives me today.

Let’s talk more about goals. Have your goals or your perspectives changed since starting? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?

My goals have shifted significantly since I first started. Back then, I was just following what all the “cool kids” were doing—releasing singles and marketing blindly, hoping something would stick. I had passion, but no real direction.

Now, my focus is different. I’ve taken a step back to truly understand the industry, to learn the strategies that actually make an impact. Instead of trying to reach the stars overnight, I’m building this dream step by step, moment by moment.

One of the biggest shifts in my perspective is realizing that this journey isn’t just about me anymore. It’s about building something bigger than myself—a community. That’s what Unity Tribe is. It’s not just a fan base; it’s a movement. A place where people can come together, support each other and walk this journey side by side. My music isn’t just about my struggles and victories anymore—it’s about our struggles, our victories.

At the core of it all, my goal remains the same: to create music that moves people, gives them hope and makes them feel seen. But now, I’m doing it with intention, with strategy, and most importantly, with a family behind me. This isn’t just my journey anymore—it’s for everyone.

Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Whom would you consider some of your biggest musical influences, and how are they influential?

At a very early age, my mom introduced me to Metallica and Iron Maiden, shaping my love for heavy music before I even fully understood what it meant. Those bands became the foundation of my musical DNA—the raw power, the electrifying riffs, the larger-than-life energy. But while they sparked my love for rock and metal, the real turning point came in 2000 when I first listened to Hybrid Theory by Linkin Park.

That album changed everything. The mix of aggression and melody, the emotional depth, the way it blended screaming with vulnerability—it hit me like a lightning bolt. Suddenly, music wasn’t just something I listened to. It was something I felt. Something that spoke to the parts of me I didn’t even know needed a voice. From that moment on, I knew music wasn’t just a passion. It was my purpose.

As I grew, I kept searching for sounds that resonated with me on a deeper level. Alter Bridge, Breaking Benjamin, Skillet, Bullet For My Valentine and Bring Me The Horizon all played a role in shaping my sound. Each band taught me something different. Over time, all these influences fused together, helping me carve out my own sound. A sound that balances intensity with melody, raw emotion with power, and vulnerability with strength. These artists didn’t just shape my taste—they shaped my identity as a musician. And now, I get to take everything they’ve inspired in me and create something new for the next generation to feel.

Ah, the fun stuff. What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance? Feel free to be creative.

My last show of 2023 was one for the books. That night, WWE had a main event in town, and I had no idea that one of my favorite wrestlers, Drew McIntyre, was in the audience. During my set, I got caught up in the energy and climbed onto a table in the crowd—turns out, it was his table. Someone told me after the set, and I couldn’t believe I didn’t recognize him in the moment. By the time I realized, he was already leaving. Definitely a wild experience!

To this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

Right now, I’m taking a break from live shows to focus on releasing music, so I haven’t played “Runaway” live yet. But based on the response it’s getting online, I know it’s going to be a high-energy song when I hit the stage again. Fans have told me it’s the kind of song that makes them want to move, so I can already picture the mosh pit kicking off as soon as that opening riff hits. In the past, my heavier songs always got the biggest reactions, and I expect “Runaway” to follow that trend when I get back to performing live.

Is there anything else awesome, cool, or left-of-center we should know about you? Secret talents or surprising tidbits?

How can I say this without making me sound like crazy! Hmmmmm

I am a dad…..of 6 cats, let’s leave at that, haha.

What are you currently working on or promoting that you can share? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure.

So currently I’m focusing on promoting my very first official EP, Deceit and Desecrate. Deceit and Desecrate is an intense and emotional rock/metal EP, exploring themes of inner conflict, betrayal, and redemption. Through powerful riffs, raw vocals, and haunting melodies, the EP delves into the struggle between past and present selves, the pain of deception, and the journey toward breaking free. Each track carries a deep message, blending heavy instrumentals with heartfelt storytelling to create a dynamic and immersive experience for listeners. As I’m wrapping up the new release, I’ll be starting the writing process of my next EP/album. Also, I’m chatting with different artists around the world about a collab project. So definitely a busy schedule ahead. You can connect with me and follow my journey here: