Minneapolis-based trans artist, producer, singer, and rapper ZORA (she/her) announces her remarkable, entirely self-produced debut album, Z1, today. The 22-year-old artist teased the release a few weeks ago with the incredible single “RUNNITUP,” and now she shares the album’s hypnotic second track, “Happiest I’ve Ever Been.”

Touching on themes of mental health and getting through the darkness, ZORA explains, “Happiest I’ve Ever Been” was one of the first songs I wrote for this album. I had a pretty jarring mental health scare in the summer of 2021, and landed myself in the hospital over the 4th of July weekend. Once I got out, I used songwriting as a way to cope with my circumstances and speak up about what I had gone through, no matter how intense it was. I wanted to make a song that sounded carefree, fun, and relaxing, accompanied by some of the darkest lyrics you’ve ever heard. Haha.” 

ZORA aims to spread awareness, positivity, and freedom of expression through her music. It is ZORA’s central belief that people are only truly happy when they’re able to be exactly who they are, at all times. ZORA implements these messages in her lyricism and hopes to be able to impact the lives of others in a positive way, no matter how widespread. 

Z1 will be released on June 17th via Get Better Records, in celebration of both Pride and Black Music Month. Pre-order it now HERE.

Photo Courtesy: William Hawk