Producer/Engineer Spotlight: Zo

Zo is a New Jersey-based producer, engineer, and everything else in between. His moniker is a shorter version of his government name. Remaining locked into his work, Zo keeps in mind that the time he puts in will reflect the outcome of whatever he’s created at that moment. Because of this, he finds himself always booked, busy, and prepared to take on the next task at hand. Ultimately, his musical assistance proves that he’s resilient and open to testing out different sounds. 

Sonically, Zo opts for a melodic sound with minimalistic patterns. 

Sure beats include “Juice,” “Just Stop,” and “Brazy.”

The first beat, “Juice,” utilizes a mile-a-minute tempo, pairing electro synths with a heavy bass and other spacey arrangements. Throughout “Juice,” you’ll hear a warm piano loop lead the soundscape while having assistance by a kick-snare and sporadic hi-hats. Though the pattern remains the same from beginning to end, Zo still leaves fans on edge with the mini-breaks he implements every twelve seconds. Likewise, “Juice” goes the atmospheric route towards the two-minute and nineteen-second mark. This beat fits an artist who carries a musical styling akin to the likes of Lil Uzi Vert or Future. 

Like “Juice,” “Just Stop” carries a fast tempo and is led by a sweet piano arpeggio. Likewise, the beat makes use of hi-hats, kick-snares, intergalactic-inspired synths, and what seems to be a steel pan drum. Running at three-minutes and twenty-five seconds, “Just Stop” is the perfect beat for artists with a similar sound to Young Thug or Playboi Carti. The most notable piece of this soundscape is its solo break-downs. Amid these instances, expect to hear the piano being played in a decrescendo fashion. 

“Brazy” is a phenomenal beat to lay some bars on, especially if your sound resonates with Gunna or Roddy Rich‘s. In all of its three-minute and twenty-eight-second glory, “Brazy” lets a heavy bass and guitar loop take the lead. Likewise, the trap offering throws in electro synths, kick-snares, hi-hats, and an eerie-like plug-in. As a whole, “Brazy” keeps the same pattern while ensuring the eerie-sounding loop stands out from the other elements. Additionally, Zo doesn’t forget to leave a plethora of beat breaks. In turn, “Brazy” gives each arrangement the leeway to be in the spotlight. 

These beats are apart of a 40-track playlist, which you can find here. 

No Gimmicks, his master engineer/mentor, paved the way for Zo to learn more about his craft. The BookZo‘s founder started to engineer, following some freestyle sessions with a few friends on campus. Previously, Zo attended college for three years, majoring in Biology. He thought to himself, “All the work I’m putting into this can go towards something else.” And so, Zo delved into the music realm. Case in point, Zo’s inspired by music and gives cred to two packs of Backwoods for pushing him through all the chaos. He adds there’s no better feeling than being involved and apart of creating music. 

Unlike other engineers, Zo says he automates like crazy. ‘When it comes to my delays, I go start to end. I pick the words I want,” he continues. There’s also a special plug-in he uses, and if you don’t use that specific one, he’s looking the other way. One engineer Zo admires for his plug-ins is Chris Lord Alge, who helped curate several rock records. “I like that he has a rockstar personality but is still an engineer,” Zo adds. 

Thus far, Zo has enjoyed working with everyone. “I’m grateful to be in a position where if we aren’t vibing, I have the option to work with them again or not. I have other friends who engineer as well, so if me and that client aren’t seeing eye-to-eye, I can connect them with someone else. All my clients, I f*ck with them. They’re awesome.”

Likewise, his favorite beat to create is called “MARIA MARIA” by PluHeph. “It was the first time we had met,” he adds. Initially, Zo wasn’t sure about the creative direction PluHeph wanted for the beat, but then PluHeph prompted him to make it from scratch. In the end, Zo created a fire soundscape that garnered much attention and radio plays. As for songs, he enjoyed compiling “Everyday” by JayLoud and BMB Drama. However, if Zo had to pick a theme song, it’d be “D.T.B” by A Boogie Wit The Hoodie. It resonates with his personality when he’s in his bag.

The critical element of being an engineer, in Zo’s opinion, is patience and the willpower to get better with your craft. “The computer, things get deleted, etc. But you have to handle all of it like you’re trying to stop a hurricane. You just got to control it. You’re going to get frustrated,” says Zo. He then adds, “As good as you think you are, you aren’t there yet. You can’t be unwilling to learn new techniques.” While he’s in the studio, Zo likes to sip on some lemonade. 

His recording and production facility, BookZo’s, came to life following Zo’s high demand. Over a year ago, Zo was creating musical masterpieces downstairs in the building that BookZo resides until space upstairs became available. His mentor and brother, Mula, was the one who pushed Zo to go for it. Shortly after, Zo mapped out a design using a 3D program. Looking in, you’ll see neon lights line up against the studio’s door. I recommend going at night because that’s when it really comes to life. 

Moving forward, expect Zo to work on some records with his good friend, JayLoud. For now though, he leaves aspiring producers and engineers with this word of advice:

“If you put 10,000 hours into anything, you’re going to be a master. Keep this in mind always. If you put in 10 hours in, you’ll see the result in 10 hours.”