Zacari Went From Kendrick Lamar's 'LOVE.' To His Own Soft, Fuzzy EP

Zacari is the newest face of Top Dawg Entertainment, house to artists like Kendrick Lamar, SchoolBoy Q, SZA, and Jay Rock. His voice is soft although firm, evident in "LOVE." from Lamar's 2017 album DAMN where he floats on the chorus like feathers in a gust of wind. Today, he's released his debut EP, Run Wild Run Free. With a solitary appearance from Lil Yachty, this seven-track body of work looks to present the brunt of the singer's skills.


Zacari's been working with the TDE roster for some time right now. In 2016, he planned some supporting, weightless vocals to Isaiah Rashad's "What's Wrong" as well as Ab Soul's "Raw (Backwards)." The chemistry must have manifested itself in the repeated comingling as the following year, Zacari would appear on "LOVE." That was his true introduction to the mainstream space. His chorus was stunning, acting as a true plea for affection that felt proper as a substitute opposed to worrisome. The singer told Billboard in 2017 that the song was actually one of the records that he, as well as his producer Teddy Walton who produced the track, played for Lamar throughout their first real session with each other. Kendrick quietly asked for the record soon after mulling over it mentally for several seconds. Little did both of those know that the song would go on to spend 40 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100.


Run Wild Free features Zacari's recently released single, "Don't Trip." Its submissive drums and hesitant use of melodies make it a unique listen in the R & B space; you could hear and taste the classic R & B inspirations as soon as he thrusts into unexplored territory with his stringy voice. There's nothing quite like his voice currently swimming around streaming services. It's easy to be able to see why TDE scooped him up so fast.


Check out his new EP up above.