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DJ Browder talks with Raleigh based artist Emilio Zapata about his new single "Out the Way" along with some past music memories and why the experiences in his life shaped him to be who he is today. The single was unreleased but debuted at the end of the interview!
Off the Record features interviews with local and national musicians as aired on WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1/HD-2.
00:01
DJ Browder
What is good, everybody? It's DJ Browder. You're listening to WKNC 88.1 FM, HD-1 Raleigh. We're a student run nonprofit radio station based out of North Carolina State University. Today, today we got a special guest in the studio. It's Emilio Zapata. Hey, hey. What's good?
00:21
Emilio Zapata
Good, man. Can't complain. Thank you for having us.
00:23
DJ Browder
Absolutely. And we got some. Some friends here, too. Y'all introduce yourselves.
00:28
Emilio Zapata
Yeah, you gotta go ahead, introduce yourselves.
00:29
Shaquan
Yes, sir. I'm Shaquan.
00:32
Harrison
What's up, everybody? Harrison.
00:33
Emilio Zapata
These are both of my. Two of my closest friends who quite literally probably heard the first anything that I've ever done. So I figured it's only right to.
00:41
DJ Browder
Make sure that there are some real ones, right? Yeah, some real ones in here.
00:44
Emilio Zapata
As real as it gets.
00:45
DJ Browder
So let's start basics. You know, where are y' all from?
00:49
Emilio Zapata
I was actually not born in North Carolina. I was born in Long Island, New York. And my whole entire family kind of migrated down south. Okay. When I was pretty little, my grandmother had seven kids, and my mom was the youngest out of those seven, which makes me the youngest cousin of like 30, you know what I mean? So I had a. A lot of older cousins and older influences always.
01:16
DJ Browder
So how old is your oldest cousin?
01:18
Emilio Zapata
Probably like 40. Wow. Yeah. Okay. And the youngest one is. Is me, actually. There's. There's. There's actually two new cousins that are. That are the babies now, I guess. Yeah. And they're 11 or 12 and 9, something like that. Yeah. Yeah. So I'm not the baby anymore, but family first, man.
01:36
DJ Browder
Family first.
01:37
Harrison
Yeah.
01:38
DJ Browder
You guys are from Raleigh, right? Yeah, yeah.
01:40
Emilio Zapata
So then. Yeah, so once we came down here, I. I mean, I don't know. Honestly, I kind of consider myself to be from North Carolina. This is where I learned how to do everything, you know, I was in. Yeah, right. Might as well be. Everything that I've learned as far as, like, all of my influences, I learned in North Carolina. I learned probably how to write my name in North Carolina. Like, you know, so this is home. This is really where I consider myself to be from and hopefully one day be able to bring a lot of. A lot more light to, you know, and be part of that whole push for nc.
02:09
DJ Browder
I feel the same way, man. I'm the same way. I love this place. I just want to do everything I can for it. And that's we're here for, man.
02:17
Emilio Zapata
Yeah, well, you're definitely doing it, bro. Yeah. I mean, a lot of people that I know personally speak highly of you guys in the station a lot. And so, I mean, you have us here, too. Definitely makes me excited to be a part of just more North Carolina stuff.
02:30
DJ Browder
Absolutely, man. Respect all around. Let's talk about music a little bit. When. When did you start, like, when did music start for you, man?
02:39
Emilio Zapata
So. Really, since I was like, as far as my memory probably goes back, I knew I always wanted to do something, like. I don't know how you explain, maybe something like an entertainment or just. I don't know. I always had really big ambitions, and I knew that for a fact that there was no way in hell that I was gonna be doing any, like, a kind of regular job or you know what I mean? I always knew that there was something more. And so as I got older, it developed more. More and more. And I experienced a lot. Like, I tried a lot of different things. Instruments and, I don't know, I tried to really get my foot in as much as I could at a young age to try to figure out.
03:18
Emilio Zapata
I mean, that's thanks to my mom, who really gave me the room to be able to do that and kind of figure out what I wanted to do. Shout out, moms. Yeah. Thank you, Mama Zapata, for creating a legend. And once we got to about. I would say fifth grade, which is. How old are you in fifth grade, do you think? Like, nine, 10, maybe even.
03:41
DJ Browder
I feel like I turned 10 in fourth grade. I don't know why I remember that.
03:45
Emilio Zapata
I remember I was casting.
03:45
Harrison
Yeah, that sounds right. Because you're definitely not 11 in sixth grade.
03:48
Emilio Zapata
Yeah, yeah, it was. Yeah, it was around fifth grade. And it's probably really when I took, like, a 100% interest in music specifically. And I mean, even from when we. I was little with these guys, we. I mean, together and me separately, would always write lyrics for. I mean, as long as my memory goes back. Honestly, that's dope. And so it's always been music or some form of entertainment. And then I would say not until, what, like, eighth grade, ninth grade year that I really started, like, actually recording music on a laptop that I got. And still pretty early. Yeah, right. Okay. I guess so. Yeah. Ninth grade, freshman year is when I put out my first song.
04:36
Emilio Zapata
And I remember, like, at first, like, guys, like, these were the only people to even, like, know, like, I wasn't really going out of my way to brag. Like, at first it went from, like, freestyling and lunch, you know what I mean? When it was, like, super rap and just Bars and lunch. I mean, it's been a long journey, man. And so then it transferred to. Right. So I made a song in ninth grade, and I was kind of scared, you know, timid at first to show anybody. I mean, I. I don't really think I made it a point to want to be, like, a successful artist at that point, but I kind of always knew that's where it was going.
05:12
Emilio Zapata
So eventually, over time, it just started blossoming into this thing until finally it had to have been one of you guys that, like, convinced me to. Or. Or maybe even showed other people yourselves. And then eventually, it kind of just like, all right, I'm putting music out and took that leap of faith. Yeah, I guess. And I Seriously, I would not have been able to if it wasn't for them, like, telling me, like, dude, you're good. You know, like, you're actually good. Right? You know? And I don't know. I trusted their taste of music because I just. Off of what I knew that we liked good music. You know, we like to listen to good music. So when they told me, like, your stuff is good. Then I was like, all right, maybe I believe it a little bit.
05:47
Emilio Zapata
And then eventually it blossomed into this beautiful thing. And, I mean, still, it feels like my. For every day is, like, my first day of the job, but it's definitely been a long time in the making, bro.
05:57
DJ Browder
Always open to learn, right?
05:58
Emilio Zapata
Always. Yeah.
06:00
DJ Browder
So talk to me. You guys are obviously super close. When did you guys meet? Where did it really all start for y'? All?
06:06
Shaquan
Third grade, man. That's, you know. Yeah, that's what it really was. I mean, all three of us. I mean, I think. I think it was, like, the. The second week of, like, me. I think I was the new one. You know what I'm saying? And we're all in the same. We had a teacher named Mr. Blunt. You know what I'm saying? Hell, yeah, Mr. Blunt. Yeah, shout out to him. But, yeah, it was third grade. I remember me and Amelia were in class, and it was a crazy mess.
06:37
Emilio Zapata
I was.
06:37
Shaquan
Was, you know, weird back then. You know, third grade.
06:40
Emilio Zapata
You always a little weird in third grade.
06:43
Shaquan
Funny fact, though, like, were on a.
06:47
DJ Browder
What was.
06:47
Shaquan
We were on the playground type thing, and this kid. This kid was, like, talking junk to Emilio like that, and I just. I just was not that kid to, like, see other people get bullied and.
06:55
Emilio Zapata
Stuff like that, so.
06:56
Shaquan
And I. I pushed him. You know what I'm saying?
07:00
Emilio Zapata
For me, like, he pushed the ladies out of the way.
07:02
Shaquan
Pushed him out of the way, like, you know, some, like, he be bully type thing. You know what I'm saying?
07:05
Emilio Zapata
And he's being modest. He's being polite. I'm trying to be polite.
07:10
DJ Browder
He laid it into him, right?
07:11
Emilio Zapata
Oh, yeah, yeah. And that was when I knew, like, even from that day, you know, there's always that person in the room that you kind of hit it off with off gate, you know, and so that alone, you know, that day on the playground, he really, like, saved me from a bully then. I'm pretty sure ever since, he quite literally helped me get off the ground from that. We've been friends. That's what, like, over a decade ago.
07:33
DJ Browder
Yeah. It has to be.
07:34
Emilio Zapata
Yeah. And how crazy. We met and me and Harrison met in summer camp.
07:38
Shaquan
Yeah.
07:39
Harrison
Between kindergarten and first grade.
07:41
DJ Browder
Wow.
07:41
Emilio Zapata
Yeah. At the ymca. Yeah.
07:43
DJ Browder
That's real.
07:44
Emilio Zapata
Yeah. I've been. Oh, man. With these three guys alone, bro, I've probably seen, you know, God willing, be able to just as much more. But seeing a lifetime of things with these guys, like, most definitely, I've done everything together.
07:59
Shaquan
Journey. Most definitely. The thing about it, this, man, is all about hard work, man. Like, your journey has been nothing but, you know, sticking to it.
08:06
Emilio Zapata
Thank you.
08:06
Shaquan
It's not. It's not a day that he ain't. Don't take off.
08:09
Harrison
Like.
08:11
Emilio Zapata
You got to love what you do. And then, you know, it won't really feel like.
08:14
DJ Browder
No doubt. No doubt. That's real authentic energy right there, man.
08:18
Emilio Zapata
Clocked in, baby.
08:19
DJ Browder
For sure, bro.
08:19
Emilio Zapata
The lights go out.
08:20
DJ Browder
You got to have that team, too, man. The support, you know, that's just the recipe for success.
08:26
Emilio Zapata
Yeah. Shout out to Exotic, too. He just messaged me, by the way. Thank you, Exotic, for all the hard work that you contribute to my music, and then more specifically, for being able to help us get here today, too. I wouldn't have met Mr. Browder if it wasn't for exotic facts. Mr. Browder. That sounds a little shout out to my dog.
08:42
Harrison
Yeah.
08:42
Emilio Zapata
Thank you guys for having us here, man.
08:44
DJ Browder
Yeah, no doubt. Exotic was here last time on the interview. Your music, man. I had it on the set last week. I love the stuff, man. I love what you're doing nowadays. Thank you. I mean, I kind of want to break the ice, man. I know we got something coming up soon.
08:59
Emilio Zapata
Yeah, yeah, yeah. So I'm getting ready to put out a single. And being that I'm shooting to be a representation of North Carolina, I keep trying to find new ways to have a heavy impact and I think that. So, okay, so we're. I'll just. I'll say it. We're doing the single. They're gonna premiere it here on the station. And I think that alone is gonna be a beautiful thing. You know, I think it's gonna be a great way to collide our platforms and put it out. But the single's coming. It's. It's kind of like a lovey dovey, like Valentine's Day feel, but not something that you're gonna be like, grabbing a box of tissues for. It's, you know, it's upbeat, nice, colorful. It's called out the Way.
09:44
Emilio Zapata
And if you want, I can go into a little bit more detail what that whole song is about.
09:49
DJ Browder
I would love to, but actually we'll save it a little bit because we're gonna. We're gonna have a debut preview of the single out the Way at the end of the interview. So if you're listening, stick around for that. That's the new. New.
10:02
Emilio Zapata
Yeah, yeah.
10:02
DJ Browder
Can we start back now? Maybe a little bit of a journey throughout how you've grown to get to this point to drop this single. Like what? Yeah, here I'll give you a question. Where. What was the first song for you? Whether it be a single or maybe it was even like an album where it was like, we're kind of moving here. Like, this is like you really started kind of gaining some traction.
10:28
Emilio Zapata
That song was conceited. It was a song that I put out in 2017. Actually. Harrison was there when I made it, and. And so Shout out to Oak City Studio. First of all, before I even go into the story, I can't even explain this without giving them the utmost credit. They're the best, most resourceful, most talented. But yeah, Shout out to Rob Jag, Adrian Exotic, Mark. Yeah, man. So in 2017, that song was conceded and I went there to go record it. This was the first session that I'd ever had in a real, like, studio. And I didn't really know what to expect, you know, and I definitely wasn't expecting to make that like. And we'll. I'm sure we'll listen to it together. I'll play it for you after. Even if it doesn't get played in this, I'll play it for you after.
11:14
Emilio Zapata
But yeah, it's on all my social medias and streaming services, so you guys can go listen to it. But. So I definitely wasn't expecting to make that. Like I said, within that whole transition of me getting ready to put music out it was a mixture between like the barsy type of stuff and with like a lot of 808s and. And just like, I don't know, heavy. Heavy drums and stuff like that. But slowly I progressed into doing what I always wanted to do was make the music that I like to listen to, which is, you know, like really like singing and like melodic type of music. Like an actual. Something like a full song, you know what I mean?
11:53
DJ Browder
And that's kind of what caught my eye. Yeah, when I heard your sound.
11:57
Emilio Zapata
That means it's working. I guess something's working. But so, yeah, I made two songs in this session, right. And the first one was complete bars, like going in heavy. I kind of wanted to test the waters, you know, because at the time that's what I was 100% comfortable with. And I was like, all right, well, you know, I'm just gonna play it safe and kind of get a vibe of the studio, see how everything feels and sounds. And so I made that and then really in my mind I had this song and I was like, I really think this could be something, you know. And so I was like, all right, put that other beat on. Which was. Ended up being conceited and I mean, the rest is history, bro. I put it out maybe like two weeks later.
12:38
Emilio Zapata
And I remember that was the first time that I'd seen a song of mine that had like 20,000 streams. Like, seeing that, like the 20 and the K, like, was like a big thing for me. I remember. Or even seeing the 10 and the K, you know, like, yeah, I was always type of person that got motivated by every. Like, it's so easy for me to get motivated, man. I saw it when I saw a thousand plays, that was enough for me. Like, alright, so my friends knew that it was good, right? So I'm like, all right, maybe other people think it's good. And then you go put out a song and 100 people think it's good and it's like, okay, that's cool. So then you get a thousand streams and it's just like this constant thing.
13:08
Emilio Zapata
It's like, dude, I'm convinced at this point that a billion people could find something to like in some of my music. And. But that was the first song that really did anything for me, you know? And I mean, that's nothing compared to what I hope to achieve. But it was at the time very special for me. And that was. It conceded. Yeah, that was a song.
13:25
DJ Browder
And the first studio session ever for you.
13:27
Emilio Zapata
First studio session ever kind of.
13:29
DJ Browder
Or not really.
13:29
Emilio Zapata
Yeah. First professional studio session. Okay. Before that, I mean, it was just me in my room recording with a laptop and. And, like, a microphone that I probably got from Sam Ash or something like that.
13:39
Harrison
Photo.
13:40
Emilio Zapata
Word. Yeah.
13:41
DJ Browder
So where did it kind of go from there then? Once you started, you know, you said you were getting motivation. It sounded like kind of lit a fire under you a little bit.
13:47
Emilio Zapata
Yeah. Oh, yeah.
13:48
DJ Browder
What was your next step? There was.
13:50
Emilio Zapata
I linked up with some guys in the city and we did a couple shows and started gaining some traction. And I just kept pumping songs out, man. Just kept pumping songs out with other artists in the city and stuff like that and kind of started getting a little name. And now I feel like leading up into this song, it's a little. It's a little different, you know, it's a different playing field. It's. I really feel like everything personally in my career is getting ready to make a shift, you know, for the next level and hopefully break that glass ceiling and then eventually be able to come back and put the magnifying glass back on the city. But.
14:28
DJ Browder
Yes.
14:29
Emilio Zapata
So, yeah, so this. I mean, I'm trying to think. Yeah. I mean. Yeah, I don't know. It's been a long journey, man. I'm just. I'm thankful to be here and still love what I do, you know? That's how that's all that matters.
14:40
DJ Browder
Yeah.
14:40
Emilio Zapata
That's really all that matters.
14:41
DJ Browder
Have you always gone by Emilio?
14:43
Emilio Zapata
Yeah, that's my artist name. That's my real name. Yeah, I've always gone by that. And I never really wanted, like, some, like, a fake stage name. I mean, some of my closest, like, friends call me Milo for, like, a nickname, but that's, like. It's more family stuff. But as. I mean, as far as music, it's just. It's me, man. This is real as it gets. It's just facts. It's just me. Can't fix you.
15:04
DJ Browder
Authentic.
15:05
Emilio Zapata
Yeah. Michael Jackson doesn't have a stage name.
15:07
DJ Browder
Exactly. I was gonna say that, actually.
15:10
Emilio Zapata
Great minds think alike.
15:12
DJ Browder
So you're talking about dropping songs, you know, I take it you've probably dropped a lot of music since then. 2017.
15:20
Emilio Zapata
Yeah.
15:20
DJ Browder
Oh, yeah. You wanna take me through, like, kind of. What makes you decide, you know, like, should I be pushing singles or should I be pushing albums? Cause, I mean, I've dipped into your discography and you have a mix for sure. What kind of makes you decide to do one or the other?
15:42
Emilio Zapata
It really just depends how I feel like now at this point, it's Definitely going to be the. The single game. I've got into a nice little rhythm at this point where it's like a single in a music video. And I think even doing stuff like this. Excuse me. Is gonna add to the. To that kind of like spinning tornado. And it's just easier to catch momentum when it's one package, you know what I mean? An album takes a lot of attention. It takes a lot of time, a lot of marketing. A lot of marketing, you know, and. Which is stuff that I have songs now that I've been sitting on for two years because I know, like, okay, this will sound good on an album, but I need to make sure that it gets what it deserves.
16:29
Emilio Zapata
And I feel like there's other things that I can do strategically to get me to a point where, okay, now this song is in a way better position than it could have been two years ago when. You know what I mean? And so I'm trying to play it like chess a little bit. But, yeah, I mean, I definitely think for right now, it's a single game.
16:45
DJ Browder
For sure. Word.
16:46
Emilio Zapata
For sure. For sure.
16:47
DJ Browder
I think that's smart, too.
16:48
Emilio Zapata
Thank you.
16:49
DJ Browder
So kind of curious also, like, when it comes to your creative process. Yeah. Shadow Oak City Studio.
16:56
Emilio Zapata
Yeah.
16:57
DJ Browder
When you're going into the studio, man, what kind of. Nowadays, maybe is your process?
17:04
Emilio Zapata
My process. It really depends, like I said, on my mood. But these days in the past year, I was really just. I was really obsessed with this. The whole idea of going in there and creating something from scratch, you know, I mean, and just really trying to get the most raw feel in a song that I could and really trying not to write any lyrics, you know what I mean? And kind of just going off the top and off, like, wing it, really. But as I'm developing as a person in the past year, it's getting to the point where I feel like I can't afford to be. To miss one millisecond of an opportunity to make sure that the song is perfect. And so now it's.
17:48
Emilio Zapata
It's kind of took a 180, and I'm really specific and kind of dialed when it comes to how I'm creating a song as far as just, like, lyric content, cadences, and stuff like that. But, yeah, I used to. I can do the whole, like, freestyle thing and make a song in 10 minutes, but after a while, I mean, it's fun. And if I. There's a session. If there's a session where. Where it's like a big block of time, maybe even like four hours. Then I would love to do that with the producer. I mean, there's a lot of talented producers in the city that. We've made countless songs like that and been good hits on the spot. I mean, me and Mark. Shout out to Beats by Mark. He's the literal goat.
18:24
Emilio Zapata
When you Google goat on Google Images, Mark's picture will probably come up. I'm just warning you, man. Besides just being a talented producer, he is probably one of the most genuine guys that I've met in the music world. And anytime that me and him work together, it's always. It's like butter, bro. I don't know.
18:41
DJ Browder
But yeah, I've had the privilege of meeting him too. He's a great guy.
18:44
Emilio Zapata
Yeah, man. I mean, you can just tell as soon as you meet him. He's one of a kind. And so, yeah, I kind of. I kind of got off track a little bit. I kind of lost my train of thought. Shout out to Mark, though. But yeah, no, okay. So there's been plenty of times where me and a producer will sit down and we'll make a song from scratch. Like with. I've done that with Jag and Adrian countless times with Rob. I mean, made countless records just on the spot. And especially when it's with some. If it's like another artist that we're getting on the song, it's always a nice. A nice vibe in the studio to just kind of make it from scratch. It feels like making it from scratch is kind of like part of the.
19:21
Emilio Zapata
Part of the song, you know, like, it makes it a little bit more special. But now I'm to the point where I'm really trying to become a working, you know, oil greasy machine that just pumps out hits. And I feel like having all that time to really just freestyle stuff on the spot gave me the space to. Now I'm able to go and actually, like write a song from start to finish in a much more professional manner.
19:45
DJ Browder
Nice. Yeah, I totally get that. And so you're talking about this well oiled machine. You're getting traction going. Where do you kind of see things going in the future for you? Like, what are some goals you have set right now?
20:00
Emilio Zapata
I definitely want to. I mean, quite frankly, bro, I want to be like the biggest artist that there is.
20:09
Shaquan
Like, to be completely honest, man is ready, man. I'm trying to tell you, like the way he talks, the way. Yeah, I like that it's been like this since.
20:17
Emilio Zapata
It's been a long time coming like this. There's nothing since the Beginning, like, that's it. Like, I want to be. I want to be the face of everything. I want to be, like a mogul. I want to be able to eventually. I mean, there's so many. I'll talk about a few, like, short term goals.
20:31
DJ Browder
Like, do you have any plans for a project coming soon?
20:34
Emilio Zapata
Yeah. So, I mean, on the music side of things, we're. We're doing some singles now, but I definitely think it's going to lead into a project by the end of this year. I think that's where it's going. But I just need to make sure that there's a good home for it. I need to make sure that it's getting released in the right way with the right people. And I think if it makes sense, then 100%. But for now, I think I'm pretty safe with just doing singles and we'll see where it goes. But yeah, man, I mean, the list of goals that I have are endless. I really want to be the biggest artist that exists one day.
21:07
DJ Browder
I love that. That's awesome.
21:09
Emilio Zapata
Thank you.
21:09
DJ Browder
And it'll keep you hungry for a while, you know? I mean, for real, if you love it, man, that's why not.
21:16
Emilio Zapata
Yeah.
21:17
DJ Browder
I mean, seriously, no one can stop you.
21:18
Emilio Zapata
Thank you. Right. I mean, that's such a. That's like such a generalized way. Sorry, that's just a generalized thing. But I mean, I don't know, man. That's. I mean. But you think me hungry.
21:28
DJ Browder
You think it's generalized by, like. I don't hear a lot of people say that. I don't think people come up in here and we'll say that.
21:35
Emilio Zapata
So there can only be one, Right?
21:38
DJ Browder
That's true. What. What kind of experiences, plural, I guess, have you had with, like, shows rocking out?
21:49
Shaquan
Every last one. My guy.
21:51
Emilio Zapata
Oh, man.
21:51
DJ Browder
When was the last show?
21:53
Emilio Zapata
Last show was that I performed at. Yeah, it was in the festival that I personally performed at. But I mean. All right, I'll tell you a funny show story. So I'll tell you two. One time I got kicked out of my own show.
22:10
Harrison
Oh, my gosh.
22:10
Emilio Zapata
And at Lincoln Theater. Shout out to Lincoln Theater in downtown Raleigh. So, I mean, if you know anything about us, like, personally, we're really family oriented. Right. And so there's. There's a few of us, you know, there's a lot of us, but there's a few of us, I guess. And we're very. We're a very tightly knit family only because that's how it is in real life.
22:31
Harrison
We're Very.
22:32
Emilio Zapata
We love each other. You know what I mean? And I don't know, man. When people act up to one another, to say the least, we all kind of, as a family decide to take it upon ourselves and say, okay, this is a group task that we're gonna figure out. Yeah, I respect that. Yeah. To say the least. But. So I'm on stage, and I see one of my boys. Should I say his name? Yeah, I'm gonna put him on blast. Castle. I see one of my boys. Castle, Right. And he was in college at the time.
23:01
DJ Browder
Shout out, Castle.
23:02
Emilio Zapata
Shout out to Castle. Man. That is.
23:05
DJ Browder
You said Matt Castle?
23:06
Emilio Zapata
No, his name is Castle.
23:07
DJ Browder
Okay. Yeah, someone said that.
23:08
Emilio Zapata
That's his first name. His first name.
23:09
DJ Browder
He's a football player. I was like, wow.
23:10
Harrison
Okay.
23:11
Emilio Zapata
Right. No, he plays football. Like, soccer, though. Like, you know how we say it in Spanish? Yeah, yeah, football. Football. And so Castle was in the crowd, and he gets into it with a guy. And at this point, when you're on stage, right, and the way that most venues are set up, the lighting and stuff like that, it's so hard to see into the crowd. So I somehow, by the grace of God, get a glimpse of just Castle and another human just throwing shots at each other. And I didn't, at that point, know it happened. And this was. Mind you, I was a lot younger and a little stupider. I took it upon myself to do a spear dive into the crowd right where the target was, as if I had locked on, like, a fighter pilot.
23:58
Emilio Zapata
And my hand, it just, like, became this. This, like. I don't know, this spear. And I speared. Dove into this kid. And I mean, it didn't. It took seconds before the security grabbed. Grabbed me up and then brought me outside mid song. Midso. Yeah, I was probably. I probably had to put the mic down and. And then. Yeah, so I walked in the back door and came back in and continued to perform. But, I mean, it was in the moment. There's a. I have a video somewhere that I can show you. But in the moment, that was like. There was probably, like, what? We were probably, like, 20 deep, and we're all like. It was. It was definitely a moment. It was kind of like you would have thought you were at a heavy metal concert, but, I mean, that was this.
24:38
Emilio Zapata
You know, that's the swag when you're young and you're 17 at that time, too, you know, Especially when all, like, the Florida music was like, the wave. It was just a different time. And were on. We were on some different Stuff. But sure, yeah, now we're a little bit more civilized and, you know, there's a lot at stake. But yeah, man, it was fun. And then so there's another story where I was preparing for a concert and there's this balcony, Right. And so I thought to myself, wouldn't it be so cool if I climbed to the top of that balcony and performed a song? So in rehearsal, which is something that we take really serious before we do shows, all the boys made it. Made it a point to be like, I don't think either of you actually would.
25:20
DJ Browder
Where was the show?
25:21
Emilio Zapata
This was it in Raleigh, too. In Death Lincoln again, right? Yeah, it was. Yeah.
25:26
DJ Browder
Before or after the last.
25:27
Emilio Zapata
No, this is after. This is a lot more recent. And then, you know, they said, look, that's a long. It's a long run. That's a long way up to the balcony. You're gonna have to. Because there's a whole route they have to take around the venue to go back in another door and run. And in between songs, it had to be perfect timing, you know, like, it was something that had to be, like, executed properly or it wasn't gonna work. Just the way that the songs transition and stuff like that.
25:49
Harrison
You gotta stay hidden from the crowd.
25:50
Emilio Zapata
Yeah, yeah.
25:51
Harrison
Go outside around the building.
25:52
Emilio Zapata
Yeah. Right. Had to hit the dash mid after you already. I. Anybody that's been on stage, even you guys know from whether you're performing or not, it's like a cardio workout.
25:59
Harrison
Yeah.
26:00
Emilio Zapata
And so I could only imagine on top of that, I had some balcony calisthenics.
26:06
Shaquan
It was crazy. That was crazy that. That was a moment, like up there and you're up top and I think you had. You had. Got a picture?
26:13
Harrison
Yeah, it's on your Instagram, I think.
26:14
Emilio Zapata
Yeah.
26:15
Harrison
Just hanging off the balcony sounds legendary.
26:18
Emilio Zapata
I was like, icicle. I was in all white denim outfit, kind of look like icicle, but. Yeah. So they made. So they set two markers. They were like, okay, from here to this stop sign is. We'll consider that the same distance. Right. So you have to practice running that. So. Bing, bing. Practice, practice. And I had to get it. I think there was a certain specific time that I had to hit it for it to make sense.
26:39
Harrison
That's so funny. I did not know that.
26:40
Emilio Zapata
Yeah, there's a whole warm up.
26:42
Shaquan
I didn't know none of that.
26:43
Emilio Zapata
Yeah, there was a whole warm up. And I'm. And they're like, rooting me on like I'm Rocky chasing the chicken. So push comes to shove, the show is here and the song comes, and it's in the back of my mind, like, okay, I'm gonna have to do it. I'm gonna have to do it. And then a good friend of ours shout out to Draco. I remember him being, I think, Draco. Yeah, I think it was Draco that was outside. And when the time came, I ran out the back door, and it was almost like I felt like. I felt like a real champ running, you know, at that time, there was straight adrenaline. There was no way I wasn't gonna make that.
27:13
Emilio Zapata
I think I probably could have done it twice in the amount of adrenaline that I had in my body at the moment. So I sure enough made it slap Drago's hand on the way out, got up to the balcony, and I just remember looking down like, whoa. Okay, then we're here. You know, this is happening.
27:26
DJ Browder
Can't be scared of heights, right?
27:27
Emilio Zapata
Yeah, not at all.
27:29
Shaquan
The people most definitely wasn't expecting him to be on the.
27:32
Emilio Zapata
Damn. Yeah. And so they switched to the whole crowd.
27:33
DJ Browder
Shit.
27:34
Emilio Zapata
Yeah. They switched the lighting last minute and put, like, a spotlight up, almost like a bat signal.
27:38
DJ Browder
Wow.
27:39
Shaquan
And then things like that. That's like. Like the creative things that he think of. Like, stuff you think of, like. You know what I'm saying? Like, right, I'm gonna come out on the balcony, like. You know what I'm saying?
27:48
Emilio Zapata
Yeah, that's.
27:48
DJ Browder
And then imagine the experience for everyone else, too. You're really setting a scene there. I mean, you're adding elements to enhance it for everyone else, for sure.
27:57
Emilio Zapata
I'm trying. I appreciate that. Yeah. Yeah, man.
28:01
DJ Browder
When's the next show?
28:03
Emilio Zapata
You know, That's a good question. It's also. Yeah. A little tricky right now with what we got going on, but I don't know. I don't personally have any plans soon. Maybe in the summertime. I'm going to take this time to really try to focus on the content side of things, you know what I mean? And really try to build that digital empire. And so that way, when we do come to the live experience, it's 10 times bigger than it would have been any other way.
28:36
Shaquan
Yes, sir.
28:36
DJ Browder
A fresh catalog, too.
28:38
Emilio Zapata
Right? Right.
28:40
DJ Browder
Word. When that's set in stone, you know, you got to let me know, shout it out here, you know, during a set or something.
28:47
Emilio Zapata
Yeah. I mean, and consider you guys definitely. I'll give you tickets, whatever.
28:50
DJ Browder
That'd be awesome.
28:51
Emilio Zapata
Whatever it takes.
28:52
DJ Browder
Well, we're gonna take a little break, do a little air break, tune into some Emilio, let's do it. You got a request?
29:00
Emilio Zapata
Yeah, let's do it. You can do it anyways.
29:03
DJ Browder
The song Anyways by Emilio.
29:05
Emilio Zapata
Yeah. 100 clean. It's beautiful, man. Thank you.
29:07
DJ Browder
You listen to DJ Browder. It's the beat Cave. Hope you all enjoy.
29:23
Music
[Emilio Zapata – Anyways]
32:04
DJ Browder
All right, we're back. That was a banger.
32:08
Emilio Zapata
Thank you.
32:08
DJ Browder
What went into that song?
32:12
Emilio Zapata
Oh, man, that song is the. Is the prequel to this new one that's coming out. I'll Put it like that. So at the. I would say, what, the end of the 20, 19, 20, something like that. At the end of one of those years, I was. No, it had to be the end. It was the end of 2020. And I was going through, to say the least, I was going through probably two of the hardest things that I've probably had to experience in my recent life. And one of those things was a breakup and a breakup with someone that I was with for a long time. And this song came from that. I mean, to say the least, I went out to LA for a little bit and spent some time there and, you know, for a multitude of reasons, main one being music.
33:06
Emilio Zapata
Another one was definitely a little bit of soul searching, which LA may not be the best place for it, but.
33:14
DJ Browder
Still good though.
33:14
Emilio Zapata
Yeah. Soul searching to travel. I wanted to see the world and really try to, you know, figure this thing out and make it work.
33:22
DJ Browder
And we can't stay in Raleigh forever.
33:24
Emilio Zapata
No, definitely not. And so, yeah, this song is kind of talking about that. This song. I basically feel like I'm in an. I feel like I'm in the airplane on the. Leaving Raleigh to go to LA in that time period. Every time that I listen to this song is what I feel like it's me getting on that plane. That's what I feel like getting on that plane to go take that leap of faith. Leaving behind a lot. You know, everything is here and sometimes you need to leave things behind to kind of show you what they really meant to you in the first place. And maybe even if that's not intentional, I feel like a lot of times it's ended up being like that for me.
34:02
Emilio Zapata
And you find that you learn a lot more and, you know, nothing is ever a loss, especially not in relationships with people. My only advice would just be appreciate people while you have them. Whether it's like a romantic relationship or friendship, whatever the case is, you know, nothing is guaranteed. I think that we've all been taught that probably in one way or another, and it could be taken really quick. So. Yeah, that's real, that song. Yeah. Thank you, bro. That song was. Definitely. Was a breakup song, I guess. And then relatable.
34:30
DJ Browder
Yeah, I think a lot of people can relate with that.
34:32
Emilio Zapata
Yeah, I appreciate that.
34:34
DJ Browder
What? Just going to your identity with the music, your sound.
34:40
Emilio Zapata
Yeah.
34:40
DJ Browder
I'm just curious what has been like your inspirations, like, who are some people maybe that you guys have all grown up listening to?
34:51
Emilio Zapata
Like, well, name a few and then you guys agree with me. Okay, so or disagree. Well, I'll start with. So my. My mom is the reason why I listen to a lot of the music that I do. And she put me on to a lot of, like, funk music, like Prince and Earth, Wind and Fire.
35:17
Harrison
You're not going to leave that there, are you?
35:19
Emilio Zapata
Yeah, I'm going to leave it. I'm going to leave it there. Yeah, I'm going to leave it there for now. And so that's a story I have to tell you off here. I know where you're going with that. Yeah, so. So, yeah, I got a lot of inspiration from my mom's music choices. And my dad is from South America. Actually, he's not from. That's another part of my heritage and background, too, is I'm Colombian. And my dad comes from Columbia, South America. And when he came to the States, probably when he was in his 20s, I think. I think classic rock and roll was probably like the coolest thing since sliced bread, you know, like, and that was. I mean, he loves classic rock, like, anything like 80s rock and roll, like Led Zeppelin and Guns N Roses. And so a mixture of that.
36:07
Emilio Zapata
And then throughout. My cousins, right, take it a step down from the parents of the cousins. I was the youngest, right? So I'm getting all the apples falling from the tree, all the hip hop, the punk rock, early 2000s hip hop, and then it kind of developed into this big ball of influence. Like, I swear to you, I literally am one of those people who will listen to anything like country music, even at this point. And I've recently come to grow to country music. Shout out to Jamie, my boy, another one of my close friends. He's the reason that I probably him and Luke, another one of my close friends, are the reason that I listen to country music probably to this day. And I mean, sometimes I enjoy it, bro.
36:43
DJ Browder
Can't stay in a box, you know?
36:44
Emilio Zapata
No, I like good music. Like, if it sounds good, I don't care if it's somebody tapping their fingers together, like, if it sounds like. If it makes me feel something, you know, I don't care what the name of it is, I'll listen to it. And so, yeah, I mean, my influences literally range from anything. And as I got into my, like, personal collection of music, it became more of the, like, the Lil Wayne. I know that we all grew up. I mean, us three definitely grew up on Lil Wayne Heavy, all of, like, the early 2000 rap. And my older cousin Sam was the one listening to, like, punk rock and stuff like that. So he put me onto the punk rock and now it's like this big blend of, like, everything. Of everything, bro. It's a part of it. It's just me.
37:25
Emilio Zapata
It's my own sound. I feel like I'm really, if anything, I'm happy with the fact that I've been able to etch out my own sound, you know what I mean? And, like, really have my own sound. A lot of, you know, for sure, something that I feel like actually comes from, you know, my soul. Like, something that's me. And I feel like it's my soul crying, like, every time I'm on a song, whether it's happy, sad, you know, whatever. But it's literally me. I'm bleeding out onto the song, which I want the listener to feel. And that only comes from all the influence and the space that I've been so gracefully given. To be able to learn as much as I can.
38:00
Emilio Zapata
That's the biggest asset I have, is the amount that I've been able to learn from, you know, life, the world around me. Right.
38:06
DJ Browder
It is crazy, man. Like, that whole higher power you're talking about, soul. I mean, like, going from what you're doing in the booth and that one little audio file just go. And then explode, touching all these people's ears everywhere. I mean, there's got to be something bigger to that. It is a power, for sure. And I think the best way to describe it is soul, like you're saying. I mean, it's literally like a type of energy. It's got a beer that's kind of traveling through. It's gotta be touching people, you know.
38:36
Shaquan
I don't know one person that even. Like our parents and people who just listen to. He can touch anybody's like, you know what I'm saying? The music he makes, anybody can listen to, you know what I'm saying? His music is for everybody.
38:49
Emilio Zapata
Thank you, bro.
38:50
Shaquan
You know, like, most of.
38:51
Emilio Zapata
I mean, like I said, I get my work ethic from my pops. I get my love from my mother, but this is all me. I don't know. It's gotta be spirit. It's gotta be God or so. I don't know, man. It's something like I said earlier, there's.
39:06
Shaquan
Nothing else he ever done every day besides music that I know of, you know what I'm saying?
39:13
Emilio Zapata
Every day.
39:14
DJ Browder
And it'll pay off. It will. And that's real. That's the realest way to do it.
39:18
Emilio Zapata
And I appreciate that.
39:19
DJ Browder
I feel like one thing I've learned a lot is you just can't really take shortcuts.
39:23
Emilio Zapata
Yeah.
39:23
DJ Browder
In this game, the game and cheaters will get exposed one way or another. You're true to yourself. It'll all pay off.
39:30
Emilio Zapata
Yeah. I always tell people, like, a lot of people are curious, like, I feel like get stuck in this cycle of just being lazy and saying, I, well, I want to do this, you know, But I mean, there is no cheat code, bro. The only cheat code I've come to find is taken the long way is taken. This, you know, I mean, is really putting in hours of whatever it is that you may want to do that is the cheat code. Hard work is the cheat code. Determination and consistency. And eventually you'll figure it out, or you'll figure out this isn't what I should be doing.
40:01
DJ Browder
So now I'm curious hearing you say that. I mean, hard work, you're mentioning, like, laziness, kind of the flip of the coin there, right? I mean, the reality is, as an artist, sometimes the creativity is dry, you know, I mean, maybe motivations low. I know I've had that experience just from creating, producing. You know, sometimes you go through ruts where you can just 100%, 100%, what have you done? Or what are some strategies you use to get you through that, keep you know, pushing.
40:33
Shaquan
Give him that story. Like, I mean, bro, you've changed. I mean, the way you look, the way you go about things, give them that.
40:39
Emilio Zapata
Okay, so when I was a kid, I was a little overweight and I was the class clown, to say the least, right? So there was. There was a while when I was trying to make music at first, like a very short period of time where I had to kind of like, really put my. Kick my foot in the door for people to take me serious. You know, if you're the class clown and just the chubby class clown or whatever. Right. That is another thing too, that taught me young, like, okay, what you put out about yourself is really important because it'll stick. And so maybe I felt like, okay, people weren't taking me serious. And after so long and etching away, etching it away at this project of mine, right.
41:27
Emilio Zapata
It's almost like you figure out a recipe for people to take you serious and you realize at one point that all it is just hard work, you know, and anytime that I've ever, like, there's been so many times, like through as a young kid where, you know, when I was out of shape, I got made fun of just like anybody. And you know, that's really. It builds your character Bro, and it gets you to a point. I mean, and then now as you get older, you experience things, and, you know, that's a whole different ball game. Like, experience loss and real problems. Not just like little kid, you know, people making fun of you, whatever facts. But throughout all of that, one thing that keeps me motivated is literally just like, my own spirit and past experiences, knowing that I've gone through.
42:18
Emilio Zapata
I mean, especially in the past few years, bro, with some of the stuff that we've, like, been through. It's to the point now where I feel like I've had my spirit tested so much that if it was gonna break.
42:28
Shaquan
Yeah.
42:29
Emilio Zapata
It would have by now.
42:30
Shaquan
Exactly.
42:30
Emilio Zapata
So I try to dial back into that same little chubby kid, you know, or that kid who was hurt when his homie passed away. Yeah. Or when the girl that he cared about broke his heart. Like, my. My work ethic now is to the point, and my head is to the point now where it's like a cinder block, bro. It's probably hot. Like. Yeah. When you not like, it's, I'm dialed. It's I'm good. I promise you, as long as my family is healthy and safe, you know, I'm good. There is nothing that can break my spirit. And so I use that chubby kid. I use that. Whatever that hurt kid as, I guess, as an example of what not to do.
43:07
Emilio Zapata
And if I was able to get to a point now where I feel like, you know, good with myself, then there's nothing, you know, I don't, God willing, you know, knock on wood. But it's like I said, as long as my family is safe and healthy, I'll always find a way to persevere. And I feel like that's another thing I want to do throughout my career, is give kids an example of that they can literally, like, there is no reason you can't achieve your goals. Even if you feel like there's no way I could be that kid or I'm out of shape or this person doesn't like me, whatever the situation is, I guarantee you with enough hard work and enough effort, somebody's going to take you serious.
43:43
Emilio Zapata
And then at that point, when one person takes you serious or you have that feeling in your chest like, okay, I might be doing something right, you need to look at that and say, okay, if this person feels that way, hundred people can. If a hundred people can, thousand people can. If a thousand people can, a million can. And eventually, somewhere you get to the point where it's like, okay, I really could be the biggest in the world or the. But not, you know, start building some confidence. Right. And I'm not saying it's not to be the biggest in the world. It's not a race. Just be the best version of yourself to yourself.
44:09
Emilio Zapata
So that way, when you do look in the mirror, when you are in a room by yourself and you have those thoughts in your head, you're happy with that person, whatever it takes. And a lot of times people know, like, people know, like, okay, this would beneficial for me if I just put a little bit more work in and did this. I'd be happier, but it's just that second step of just doing it. And you're gonna be so much happier when you take that extra time. So just push through. One thing that keeps me going is the gym. I like the gym a lot. And to work on my physical body. Yeah, I mean, that's like. The gym is my. Is my second passion. Like my physical health. That and fashion are my three, probably three, like, top passions.
44:46
Emilio Zapata
It goes music and then working out the gym and then like, yeah, clothes and stuff like that. But yeah, man. So the gym helps me a lot. And just past experience, man. Pushing through, pushing through helps me push through the next time.
45:00
DJ Browder
That's real. Yeah, that's. That's what's up. A lot of things I'm thinking about there. One thing, it's like the biggest in the world goal. I feel like from hearing what you're just talking about right now, it's like a lot of people might think like, that's cocky or something, but it's like, it really. It shouldn't bother you if that's someone's goal. First off, like, everyone makes what we are. Like you're saying you're putting it out. You should be able to create whatever it is. No one can tell you differently. But also it's like goals sometimes are like the ceiling, you know? So why would you set a goal? Yeah, that would limit it, like, if that. I think I love hearing that goal from you because it's like, there is no ceiling. There shouldn't be a ceiling.
45:45
DJ Browder
I hope that would inspire a lot of other people too.
45:47
Emilio Zapata
I hope so. And like I said, you don't have to be the best or the best looking or the best, whatever. Just be the. To other people. What I'm saying is be the best to you. Like, if I can be the best version of myself, I seriously, I mean, on paper, yeah, I want to be the biggest in the world, but as long as I'M happy and I'm doing good things for myself and the people that I love and care about. And, you know, leaving the world in a better place than you found, it's really the only goal, man. Just be the best version of yourself, whatever it is that you're doing, and.
46:16
DJ Browder
Never apologize for it either. Unapologetic.
46:19
Emilio Zapata
Definitely.
46:23
DJ Browder
You mentioned fashion. Yeah, I'm not a huge fashion guy. I try to, you know, be stylish or whatever, but not really, man, you got the turtleneck. You know, I'm trying to paint a picture. I like the jacket. What are kind of some. Maybe go to brands or. Do you have any or what? Take me through.
46:45
Emilio Zapata
So I've really been taking the gym really serious in the past year, and I train six days out of seven and do, like, resistance training and cardio training and stuff like that. So I'm really into, like, athletic clothes right now. But right now, I'm not wearing that. I'm wearing, like, more, I guess, fancy stuff.
47:02
Shaquan
But. But don't. Don't let this man's fools you now. He can. He can.
47:06
DJ Browder
He can.
47:06
Shaquan
He can. He can model now, most definitely. I'm trying to push it on him right now. Somebody to, you know, put you on something like, man, this. This man is photogenic, for real.
47:17
Emilio Zapata
Thank you. I appreciate that. Yeah, I, like. I don't know. It really depends where I'll wear anything. Like, I'm not a person that needs to wear, like, designer brands. I swear to you, I will look like Rick Rubin when I am successful. I will be in my house, in the backyard with no shirt on, just some shorts. Like, I'm good in some shirt and some warm weather. This, you know, this is almost like costume, man. It doesn't mean nothing, bro, but I like to dress up a lot, you know, it's nice, depending on the vibe.
47:43
DJ Browder
It's art.
47:44
Emilio Zapata
Yeah, it's all right. It's another way of. It's like. It's another way of expressing yourself.
47:47
DJ Browder
Right.
47:48
Emilio Zapata
You know, we didn't. Our ancestors didn't have these freaking big, bulky clothes on. All they had were, like, little napkins and. I don't need this. I'm good. I could go out. Look, I'll go out in the forest, and as long as the weather, you know, permits, right? And some shorts, I'm good. And Harrison honestly taught me that, too. This man literally wears anything like, he doesn't care, bro. And whether it was in school or the concert, whatever, all his outfit, he would be the freshest guy and always looked like the Most comfortable with what he was wearing because you could just tell it was something that he just wanted to put on, whether it's pajama pants or a wife beater, like. And that's one thing that I took away from him a little bit, honestly, for myself, bro, is to just be comfortable.
48:29
Emilio Zapata
Whatever it is that you're wearing, as long as you're.
48:30
Harrison
I'll be chilling.
48:31
DJ Browder
Yeah, I feel that.
48:34
Harrison
For real.
48:34
Emilio Zapata
As long as you're comfortable, that's all that matter.
48:36
DJ Browder
That's right. You guys ever get into, like, thrift shopping?
48:39
Shaquan
Oh, yeah.
48:40
Harrison
We went hard for a while.
48:43
DJ Browder
I kind of discovered that right before the pandemic. I mean, just because there's so much stigma around, you know, spending the money.
48:52
Emilio Zapata
Yeah.
48:52
DJ Browder
But I feel like the biggest part of fashion sometimes is kind of finding the right. Those jams. People don't know the price tag at the end of the day.
49:00
Emilio Zapata
I mean, if you're wearing something because of what the price tag is, you're not even really. I think that's kind of pointless. Yes.
49:06
Harrison
When I first got my license, we used to go every day and go through. I mean, there's the Goodwills and all that.
49:11
Emilio Zapata
Yeah. There's two good thrift shops by where we grew up and.
49:15
Shaquan
Yeah. I just got this yesterday from the thrift shop. I was just telling. To tell him in the car.
49:19
DJ Browder
I need to hit it, man. It's been a minute. Yeah.
49:22
Emilio Zapata
Honestly, I think I ordered all this stuff. Like, I'm. These pants. Like, I'll find stuff randomly. I'm wearing some Nikes, some Wrangler pants from Walmart.
49:31
Harrison
Yeah, Walmart got them pants, y'.
49:32
Shaquan
All.
49:33
Emilio Zapata
Walmart, I promise Guamar, as my Latino say. And yeah, dude, whatever feels right. And I. That's. I would love to give that advice to anybody else. I know a lot of kids are probably. There's. I mean, that's one of the biggest things when you're young. Right. Is like whatever the trend is to wear at the time. But just wear whatever you're comfortable with, man. Confidence breeds success. Success breeds confidence. Girls like it when you're confident. I think girls like a confident man in a pair of pajamas and a wife beater than the guy who looks like he's stiff and can't, you know, There you go. Can't even have a conversation with you. And whatever he's wearing because he's. You ain't comfortable in it, man. I don't know.
50:10
DJ Browder
You heard the man switching things up a little bit. Well, you've kind of talked about the Gym. Because I was meaning to ask you, I mean, what are some hobbies outside of music? I mean, I can tell you got that love for music, but there's got to be some other stuff, some interest, some love for other things, you know?
50:29
Emilio Zapata
Look, honestly, I love, love. I'm a family man. You know, I love being. And when I say family, I don't mean, excuse me, just blood related family. I mean, you know, my tribe. I love being with my closest friends. At this point, it's not even friends. They're just family. I love being with them. Whatever it is, as long as I'm doing it with them, I'm cool. That music, the gym, of course, is number one. But we already talked about that. But yeah, man, just physical training and being with the guys and just plotting on the world like it's never. It's never ever a dull moment. And I feel like personally that I'm at the point right now where I want to have as little hobbies as possible right now and focus on my one craft that I.
51:18
Emilio Zapata
That I know can go a long way. That way, by the time that I am 40 or 35, whatever, I'll be, you know, I'll be comfortable. And maybe comfortable is a horrible word because I don't think I ever want to be comfortable, but just, you know, have time to be able then to go pick up new hobbies or whatever. Right now I'm really locked in, bro. I think, I mean, I like the.
51:41
DJ Browder
Way you said that. I mean, because I think a horrible stigma with music that I've just growing up, I've always thought of as like music and hobby. It always is. Like music is with the hobbies. I don't think it should always have to be like that. And I like hearing you talk about that, how it's like you don't really need hobbies. Like, some people might even look at people like us who are really into music. I was like, oh, it's a music to your hobbies. Like, no, I mean, music's like life, you know.
52:12
Emilio Zapata
Right, right. That's why you just got to find something that you like that you're actually passionate about and it'll fill all those gaps. It'll be at your hobby or your, you know, employee or everything. Let's find whatever it is that you love. Even if at the time it's a person or just anything, you know, that you can give your heart to, then it'll fill those things. It'll be your hobby, it'll be your job, it'll be Your responsibility, you know?
52:34
DJ Browder
Yeah, for sure. You guys like big sports guys at all?
52:39
Emilio Zapata
Not really.
52:39
Harrison
I'm a big basketball guy.
52:41
Emilio Zapata
Okay, Harrison. I mean, I'm starting. In the past year, I'm starting to get into sports. Like Shaquan grew up playing basketball, football. Harrison. I mean, I grew up playing some.
52:52
Harrison
Sports too, but we all grew up skating too.
52:55
Emilio Zapata
Yeah, we all grew up. That's a whole another lifetime that I would love to get into. But I don't know if we got all that much time.
53:01
DJ Browder
I mean, that's the hobby I was trying to crack right there.
53:03
Emilio Zapata
Oh, yeah, yeah, Maybe. Yeah, man. Okay, So, I mean, we. A big reason that we all even know each other in the first place is because of this skate park and.
53:13
Harrison
The town that we really built our friendship.
53:15
Emilio Zapata
That's where everything happened. The first fights that we probably got into, the first anything where. That's where like all the real greasy hours were.
53:22
DJ Browder
Delicious Skate Park.
53:23
Emilio Zapata
Yeah, it was Delicious Skate Park. And so that was something that when were younger, while still trying to figure out, you know, the next development of it, whether it was the music or the sport that we wanted to play, whatever the case was, that was the home, you know, like, that's the home base. That's where everybody's at when they talk about. When you hear stories about like, oh, yeah, in the neighborhood, like, that was the neighbor. I don't know how to explain. Like, that was the home, you know, the community. That was the community. Right. And so everything happened there. Some of our first kisses probably were there, like, everything, bro. And yeah, so we definitely used to get rowdy and get a lot of sweating in at an early age, which I think was very beneficial in the long run.
54:06
Emilio Zapata
And as far as, like, sports, physical, active hobbies, like, that was a big one. We were little. But now I'm starting to like sports. I like watching sports now. I like the UFC a lot. I like basketball a lot. Harrison's a big basketball guy also part time professional 2k player.
54:27
DJ Browder
Okay, sorry.
54:28
Emilio Zapata
Yeah, going hard, for sure. It's a funny story, actually, speaking of sports. So were playing 2k one time, and long story short, he hit me with a half court shot.
54:41
Harrison
It was full court.
54:42
Emilio Zapata
Oh, it was full court.
54:43
Harrison
Yes, it was.
54:44
Emilio Zapata
Yeah.
54:45
Shaquan
Let him know.
54:45
Emilio Zapata
That's even worse. Not 11. That's even worse. It was a full court shot with LeBron.
54:51
Harrison
Yeah, Mr. James.
54:52
Shaquan
Yeah.
54:53
Emilio Zapata
And it went in. And that was a really.
54:56
DJ Browder
That's demoralizing.
54:58
Emilio Zapata
That was really demoralizing, bro.
54:59
Harrison
He went to sleep.
55:00
Emilio Zapata
I probably did Honestly, that's why.
55:02
Shaquan
That's why I kind of don't even play like 2k no. More like the game used to. Like, I used to feel like it was a glitch, like. Cuz, ain't no way LeBron would have made a full course.
55:10
Harrison
Come on, bro. You know he's making that shot. Y' all know he's making that shot. Let's not do that, cuz he's making the shot.
55:16
Emilio Zapata
Come on, y'.
55:16
Harrison
All.
55:17
Emilio Zapata
Look.
55:17
Shaquan
Come on, my guy.
55:18
Emilio Zapata
I'm not gonna. I'm not gonna stop myself short, but I'm not the biggest fan of LeBron. Yeah.
55:25
Shaquan
Oh, man.
55:27
Emilio Zapata
But shout out to him.
55:29
DJ Browder
Yeah. Yeah, shout out to him.
55:33
Emilio Zapata
I don't know, man. Yeah, sports are. Sports are second to none. It's a. It's a really big. There's a community in all of it.
55:39
DJ Browder
Yes.
55:39
Emilio Zapata
Which I find interesting. In football or. You know, it's just. It's the camaraderie of being with other humans that like the same thing.
55:46
DJ Browder
Yeah, for sure. And like you said, community. I always like thinking about stuff coming back to art also. I feel like skating, you know? Yeah, you can really get into that. There's art and skating, no doubt. I mean, it's making its way into. I mean, I don't want to be wrong. Olympics stuff now. Yeah.
56:04
Emilio Zapata
I mean, what about 20, 24?
56:05
Harrison
It'll be there.
56:06
Emilio Zapata
Yeah. Yeah. What? Did you play any sports?
56:08
DJ Browder
Yeah, I'm a basketball guy.
56:10
Emilio Zapata
Okay.
56:10
DJ Browder
Yeah.
56:11
Emilio Zapata
How's your team?
56:12
DJ Browder
Hornets. I gotta stay local, man. I'm not gonna be one of those. I've been around since Bobcat's days, man. Even when I was a kid, man, like seven years old. I love Gerald Wallace. I don't know, man. Those guys, it was rough times, man, but I made with what we have.
56:30
Harrison
Yeah, they're having fun now.
56:31
DJ Browder
Yeah, for sure.
56:32
Emilio Zapata
Actually, speaking of Charlotte Hornets. It is. It's Friday, January 28th, when we're recording this. And there is A Charlotte Hornets vs LAkers game happening in Charlotte tonight, which I was gonna go to.
56:48
DJ Browder
Oh, my gosh.
56:49
Harrison
And there's one tomorrow or. Yeah, they played two games back to back.
56:53
Shaquan
Oh, that's gonna be.
56:54
DJ Browder
Yeah, that's kind of a statement game. I'll tell you not to get too. Too nerding out into the sports. And all I like is a statement game for Charlotte and la. Yeah, big time.
57:04
Emilio Zapata
That's all, dude. Yeah. Me and another good friend of mine, Owen, shout out to oe. We were gonna. We were thinking about getting some tickets to go, but I think we both ended up being pretty busy this weekend. Yeah. Shout out to oe, man, He's.
57:18
DJ Browder
Imagine they're probably pretty expensive, too. I mean, they love taxing for the Lakers. I know that.
57:24
Emilio Zapata
Yeah. Honestly, when I checked on. I think it was either Tuesday or Wednesday when I checked, because it's kind of last minute even. And I was kind of thinking, I'm like, oh, man, I bet they're gonna be skyrocketed. I was pretty surprised. They weren't too horrible. But, yeah, we're here with the. With the geyser, man. Mr. Browder.
57:41
DJ Browder
Maybe perform out there someday, right?
57:43
Emilio Zapata
I would love to.
57:44
DJ Browder
Spectrum Center. That's a great place.
57:45
Emilio Zapata
There we go. Yeah. Needs to happen. PNC arena needs to happen, too. Yeah.
57:48
DJ Browder
Pnc, if you're listening, man, we're right down the street. Make it happen.
57:52
Emilio Zapata
Yeah. Cotta will give you an experience to remember.
57:57
DJ Browder
Well, we're kind of about that time now in the interview.
58:02
Emilio Zapata
Yeah, man.
58:03
DJ Browder
The much anticipated unreleased single from Emilio.
58:09
Emilio Zapata
Yeah.
58:11
DJ Browder
What was it?
58:12
Emilio Zapata
It's out the Way.
58:13
DJ Browder
Out the Way.
58:14
Emilio Zapata
Out the Way. Yes, sir.
58:15
DJ Browder
Valentine's. When's it dropping?
58:19
Emilio Zapata
There's not a specific date set, but it'll probably be out by the time that you're hearing this. And if that's the case, go listen to that. Break your speakers. Go run to your grandmother, tell her that this is the best thing since sliced jello. Tell her that this is. This is the song that you want to play. Play at your wedding, man. Because I think it's going to be. I don't know, I think it'll be good. In all seriousness, I think it'll be.
58:41
DJ Browder
And if it's not out, you're basically listening. I mean, you're getting a sneak peek right now. If you're listening right now. If it's not out, it's a privilege for you. Listen.
58:50
Emilio Zapata
Yeah, let's just say this. If it's not out, then you listening to this song exclusively on 88.1 will be like buying bitcoin when it was at a dollar. So enjoy. And I hope. I hope that you enjoy it, man. I do this for anybody who listens, whether you know me or not. And I hopefully know a little bit about me, and I hope you enjoy it, man. This is the sequel to that kind of. That breakup stuff that I was talking about that I don't really want to talk about.
59:19
DJ Browder
Well, man, I really appreciate you guys coming through.
59:21
Emilio Zapata
Yeah, brother.
59:22
DJ Browder
Yeah, it's been a great time. Anyone out there who is looking to follow you guys? Maybe on socials. What are we. What are we looking at?
59:33
Emilio Zapata
Yeah, so we can do that. We. So I'm on Instagram at Emilio Zapata underscore E M I, L I O Z A P A T A underscore on everything. Everything worth finding on Spotify and Apple Music. It's just my name, and it's Emilio Zapata. Michael Jackson don't got a stage name. Neither does Zapata. You can. You can find me on. On literally probably anything, bro. Thank you guys so much for having us here. It's. It's been a pleasure, man. I'm glad that we finally got to sit down and talk for a little bit. Very cool. Yeah, man. So, yeah, if you guys read your social.
01:00:09
Shaquan
Well, mine is Newcore Vision 919.
01:00:13
Emilio Zapata
Yes, sir. Yes, sir. And wait, I don't know if we can say his on air.
01:00:17
Harrison
Yeah, my Instagram name got the F. Just say Polo Jeans.
01:00:25
Emilio Zapata
Or for the edited version, say effin.
01:00:28
Harrison
Er in Polo Jeans.
01:00:31
DJ Browder
You heard the man. So you don't have to follow them, but feel free if you want to keep up, you know, like what you heard. Check them out. If you want to get more updates on the Beat Cave future interviews, you're welcome to check my Instagram out at browdermusic. It's been real, man. Great having you in here today.
01:00:52
Emilio Zapata
Yeah, I mean, even better to be here, bro.
01:00:54
DJ Browder
Yeah, man.
01:00:56
Emilio Zapata
Thank you.
01:00:56
DJ Browder
So we're gonna end it out with the track out the way, unreleased. Hope you enjoy. It's a Beat Cave special. You're listening to WKNC 88.1 FM HD1, Raleigh. Peace out, everyone.
01:01:10
Emilio Zapata
Let's do it.
01:01:11
Music
[Emilio Zapata song]