"To define is to stagnate. So I probably would say I don’t define myself, says Zanillya. She may avoid defining herself, but her music does it for her. Zanillya is a rapper, singer-songwriter, producer based in Amsterdam. Beloved by tastemakers across the board from Sway Calloway, Toddla T, Jack Saunders, Jamz Supernova to Future Classic, Wonderland, Fred Perry, i-D and DUMMY as well as receiving radio support from the likes of BBC 1Xtra and BBC 6 Music.
ABOUT
As the arts begin to drive mental illness out of the shadows Caribbean - Macedonian, rapper/singer-songwriter/ producer Zanillya is determined to be at the vanguard of this change. As the daughter of late Disco legend Bobby Farrell (Boney M), the reality of the music industry was imprinted on her from an early age, she witnessed first-hand the beauty and excitement, but also the dark side of it all. Yet it is by creating music that she feels she can come to terms with her own lows.
The ever evolving artist has crafted an uncompromising sound that sits across a number of genres, nodding to Dancehall, DemBow, Hip-Hop and R&B. Last spring Zanillya released the contagious and energetic new cut ‘Dushi Bida’. It's her first track in Papiamento, the Portuguese-based creole language spoken in the Dutch Caribbean, but that’s heavily influenced by Spanish.
In January, with her group MariaDennis, she unleashed "Get Bossy" on Defected Records, followed by "Mira Mira" in February on Waxploitation. Featuring platinum singer-songwriter Sam Bruno and 3x Latin Grammy winner, platinum producer Don Elektron, the track found its place in the new Apple TV X Major Soccer League ad, starring Leo Messi. March saw the release of her collaboration with Regard, garnering attention from industry giants like R3hab, Armin van Buuren, and Tiesto, landing spots on Apple Music's best songs and various Spotify curated playlists.
April marked the arrival of her solo single "Practice,"radiating a captivating blend of moody yet hopeful energy, blending Hip-Hop, Grime, and Dancehall seamlessly. Zanillya's unmistakable Caribbean flair shines through, reminiscent of her previous bop ‘Nothing To Lose’ that landed her a spot on the acclaimed US series Grown-ish. Gearing up to release her sophomore EP, Zanillya will be showcasing a different side to her already versatile sound.
PRESS
From capturing the attention of music listeners since 2018 with “For You” and “In It 4 a Lifetime”, to accumulating support from key tastemakers and a dedicated fan base alike, it’s just the start for this emerging artist, as the triple threat’s passion and creative abilities see her stand firm in her notable presence in the scene.
Zanillya needs to be true to herself. Releasing a slew of dancehall-tinged tropical pop burners, she's marked herself out as a vocalist to watch, with her hook-heavy R&B approach blessed with colossal potential. The result is curiously idiosyncratic, the sound of a newcomer taking club tropes and melding them to her own life, her own outlook.
- CLASH
PLACEMENTS
Working tirelessly on her music over the last few years, Zanillya's music has been used by major brands like FIFA, UEFA, Nike, Colgate, Vodafone, Smilf, Showtime, MTV, River Island, Grown - Ish, Ray Ban and many more.
Management
Licensing/ Sync Zanillya
Licensing/ Sync MariaDennis