Croydon Musician ZLYAH Thrilled to Contribute to Kanye West's 'Vultures'

Emerging from the vibrant Croydon music scene, Zayn Raja, who performs under the moniker ZLYAH, has recently experienced a career milestone by collaborating with hip hop heavyweight, Kanye West, on his new album 'Vultures'. Raja's journey from a local artist to an international collaborator began with an unexpected FaceTime call that catapulted him into the heart of West's creative process.

Unexpected Call Leads to International Collab

It was a regular day for Zayn Raja when he got the news of a lifetime. While speaking with his sister, Raja's managers, Nicholas Laws and Richard Santoro, informed him through FaceTime about West's interest in his talent. Raja's unreleased track 'Crushing' had caught the attention of Kanye, prompting an invitation to fly out to Dubai and contribute to 'Vultures'. Raja's enthusiasm was palpable as he recounted the surreal moment he realized he would be working with one of his musical inspirations.

Studio Synergy: Kanye West and ZLYAH

One unforgettable experience for Raja was walking into a Dubai studio only to find music icons like Kanye West, will.i.am, and Ty Dolla Sign enjoying his song. West even offered Raja constructive feedback, requesting the files to work on the song further. During the album's writing sessions, Raja worked alongside seven to nine writers, helping shape the chorus of the song 'Carnival' which featured on the 'Vultures 1' album released on February 9.

From Croydon to International Stage

Raja’s involvement wasn't without its challenges as he adapted to writing for another artist—a first for him. With encouragement from producer and writer Anthony Killhoffer, Raja expanded his horizons, collaborating with established Chicago writers like Cyhi The Prynce and Bump J. This new partnership resulted in a prolific day where they created five songs together. For Raja, whose style leans toward R&B with touches of pop and soul, this was a significant step in his music career.

Kanye West's 'Vultures' Creates Industry Buzz

'Vultures 1' has since garnered significant attention, featuring artists such as North West, Quavo, Playboi Carti, and Travis Scott. Meanwhile, Raja continues his musical journey, heading to Italy to record for his upcoming EP. The buzz around 'Vultures' and its high-profile collaborations marks a vivid highlight in Zayn Raja's evolving music story.

Croydon, Musician, Collaboration