Adapting to the impact that COVID-19 has had on the music industry has proven difficult for all artists this year, but Brooklyn rapper and fashion model Cezur III took the challenge in stride. Releasing a handful of new singles so far this year, Cezur III most recently dropped his latest track, “Drinks On Me” featuring Jessica Universe, which will make fans long for the time that they can go out and have a carefree night with friends once more. Until then, jamming to “Drinks On Me” in the comfort of our own home will have to do, and we certainly aren’t complaining.
With “Drinks On Me” out now, Cezur III has his sights set on his debut EP, BK Baby, coming early next year. With the release of BK Baby fast approaching, we caught up with Cezur III to discuss the creation of the EP, his hometown of Brooklyn and the obstacles of writing and releasing new music in 2020. Read the full interview and listen to “Drinks On Me” now below.
Prelude Press: 2020 has been an incredibly challenging year in the music industry, but you’ve been making the most of it with the release of a handful of new singles and even your upcoming EP, BK Baby. Did you need to switch gears or change plans at all this year? What did that look like for you?
Cezur III: We love a challenge over here but this was one nobody could escape. Typically, we have a blueprint of what we want to accomplish and a timeline that keeps us honest. Obviously the pandemic threw a spanner in the works so we went back to the drawing board and here we are. Traveling and hopping in sessions all while being conscious of what’s going on has been the biggest adjustment.
Most recently, you released your new single, “Drinks On Me” with Jessica Universe. What was Jessica able to bring to the table with this track?
For me music is a collaborative process. Even on the records where it’s just me, I can accredit the end product to the producer, the instrumentalist, engineer, so forth and so on. But with Jessica, I think she’s a natural star. We actually sent this record out to Jessica and she hit us back with a wavey voice note immediately. I knew I had to get her on the record because she has so much swag . It’s actually crazy.
What would you like for listeners to take away from “Drinks On Me”?
Just remember to enjoy life no matter what’s going on. When you hear the record and catch the vibe you want to drop the top and feel the breeze. All of this will pass and when it does the drinks on me.
You’re getting ready to release your debut EP, BK Baby. As it will be some of the first music that many people hear from you, what goals did you have in mind when you first began working on it?
We officially set out to make a project starting in February of this year, but I started putting together ideas last year when I was still working out of Alex Da Kid’s “Kid In a Korner” mansion in LA. This project is definitely an introduction to me and we made sure to have fun with it. We’re involved in a lot, being bi-costal, the music, modeling, the fashion and our crazy ideas, so we wanted to give a peep into that and pull out a chair at our table.
I assume the title BK Baby is an homage to your hometown of Brooklyn. How has the music scene in Brooklyn inspired the music that you’re creating now?
Absolutely, anyone from Brooklyn (or NYC) knows we have this crazy hometown pride that we carry with us whenever we leave the city. I just make whatever my heart calls me to create at any given moment. Growing up, I had an eclectic taste between jazz, R&B, rock, disco, hip hop, and others. Brooklyn has always been electric and as a whole it’s a part of me and what I do. I think this EP will put many things into perspective, but we’ll continue to blend genres and push the boundaries.
I’m excited to have people hear my spirit, hear the growth and the emotion that went into it. We covered a lot of the spectrum purposely not leaving anyone out, so if they surrender themselves to the record they will feel more than I can say.
Did you come across any challenges when working on the EP? What was the most exciting or rewarding part of the recording process?
There was this one thing called COVID and it was a motherf***** haha, but the challenge that revealed itself was keeping everyone’s energy up, keeping the excitement at a level needed to put out what we wanted. That’s what kept us in touch, but I think it snowballed into one of the coolest feats of the album; all the different producers and sessionists felt included and seen, and that translates not only for the project, but in everything we do. Like I said, we love a challenge.
With 2020 coming to a close and BK Baby arriving soon, do you have any big plans or goals for the months ahead?
Well after I release BK BABY, I hope to go on tour. I want to spend much of next year doing shows across the world; performing is the best part of making the music. Beyond that, I’m working to release our premiere bags. We’ve been perfecting our ZERO58: Body Kits for some time, and I think we’re ready for the world to have them.
Thank you for taking the time to chat with us! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Check out BK BABY when it drops ! Follow me @ CEZURiii and lets tap in.
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