After a little more than two years in the music industry professionally, singer Zoe Anthony Gilbert has recorded over 100 songs and released more than 30. As impressive as it sounds for the 22-year-old, it is nothing compared to his dream of one day performing at the American Super Bowl.
Zoe (pronounced Zoy) is from the little community of Zorg on the Essequibo Coast. Though he grew up in church with his mother and other relatives singing, they were never as serious about the art form. Zoe, however, is trying to make a career out of his passion.
While he was at the Suddie Primary School, his teachers picked up on his talent and often encouraged him to participate in calypso competitions on behalf of the school, which he did. By the time Zoe began attending the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School, he did not need much encouragement to get onstage. Whenever there was an occasion and the school celebrated with a concert, he was expected to perform. Before he left secondary school, Zoe and several other friends created a group called Trilla Park Music. The group toured several places around Guyana performing wherever they went. Trilla Park Music has since dissolved. However, fellow group member, Nick ‘B-Nick’ Augustine still remains serious about music and would from time to time collaborate with Zoe on various music projects. Recently, the duo worked together “Ride or Die”, which was described as an Afro-centric/Dancehall fusion.
“Ride or Die”, which was released several weeks ago on YouTube and Facebook, is about wanting to find a soulmate who will stick it out in a relationship come what may.
Aside from the two mentioned genres, the singer has also dropped singles that are HipHop, Reggae and Conscious. However, he is most comfortable singing soul music since his voice could more be described as uplifting and soft.
A video recording of Zoe doing an R&B song called “Silence” which was posted to Facebook a while back dripped with both emotion and fire. If anything, Zoe has great potential for garnering an international audience that loves that kind of music. Those kinds of songs are not often appreciated here, Zoe said, though it is Guyanese he hopes to have the most support from. While “Silence” received a good deal of praise, there were those who would prefer more of a Caribbean tempo song.
If one listens to this singer’s mesmerizing voice, there are clues as to who some of his inspirations in music are. It came as no surprise when he listed Michael Jackson, Chris Brown, The Weeknd, Bob Marley, and Nigerian singer Burner Boy among his musical muses.
The journey for the singer is far from a smooth road. As much as he and his family care about each other, they are not all too supportive of him trying to build a career in music. Though he did not give the reason for this, it is common for Guyanese parents to not be supportive as they do not believe the local industry is designed in such a way for singers to successfully follow their dreams, a common reason shared by other local artistes. While he struggles to make his dream a reality, Zoe also looks forward to the day when his family will come around to accepting his choice and see that with perseverance, anything is possible.
As it relates to support from the local industry, the singer said that while the majority of Guyanese may not be in favour of the genres he prefers to sing or like the idea of him infusing Afro-centric beats with other genres to create his own original beat, he believes that Guyanese are becoming more supportive of the arts and that for him is a step in the right direction. It gives him the hope he needs to believe that one day whether on the local or the international stage, he will have the biggest support from his people.
As someone whose hobbies include reading philosophical books, the kind of messages he sends through his songs are important to Zoe. Sometimes his songs highlight various social issues he knows are affecting the ordinary Guyanese. Other times, they tell the stories of his journey so far, whether good or bad. All of his experiences, the artiste said, have provided him with more knowledge which he only wishes to share with others.
But for an artiste who is not where he wants to be in the industry, how does he make a living? Zoe is an entrepreneur who operates a food snackette. Being his own boss gives him the time he needs to work on his music.
Over the last few years, the singer has performed at various concerts in Linden, Bartica and along the Essequibo Coast. Concerts and gigs came to a standstill with the restrictions stemming from COVID-19, but Zoe used the down time as a year of reflection and revival. Music, the singer said, has instilled various disciplines in him but more so it serves as a spiritual realm.
At present, Zoe and Nick are collaborating on other upcoming projects. All of his recordings are done at his home. There is no big set up, Zoe explained, but he has all of the necessary equipment he needs to get his recordings done. Most of his songs, the singer disclosed, are created using tracks that were already built. He is working on arranging and composing his own music. Zoe is also looking to work with other producers going forward as he works on becoming a household name here and someday as planned, performing at the American Super Bowl.
Sagittarian-born, when he is not reading in his free time, Zoe can be found enjoying nature.
Zoe can be followed on Facebook or on YouTube at Earth Angel X where he has shared some of his songs, freestyled songs and on various ideologies.
