Zuri Allen Star- photo by Michael Helms
Zuri Allen Star is on the cusp of independently releasing her debut album aptly titled “My Number One.” The album is full of magnetically charged pop melodies with a savvy urban edge and thought provoking lyrics. Co-written by singer, songwriter and lyricist Zuri Allen Star, the album is raw, dynamic and intimate.
Zuri began writing lyrics and melodies shortly after one of her brothers passed away at age 6. She remembers growing up with a lot of blues and soul music in her household. Recalling “after so much crying it seemed that singing was such a better release of my emotions and it appeared to make those around me happier.”
Around the age of 10 Zuri began taking voice and piano lessons to fulfill her desire to be a well-rounded performer. Her passion and strong willed personality kept her singing and performing throughout the years. Zuri says, “singing to me was such a vital necessity, like eating for others. I can always tell when I haven’t been singing, I’m super moody, feisty, and I end up feeling like I’m choking. It’s around this time I usually write these powerful lyrics and then the voice comes out and I’m straight again.”
Zuri sang with numerous bands both as lead and back up, as well as fronting her own cover band that played at local clubs. At age 17 she formed a trio that she co-wrote with and performed some of her first original songs. Zuri said "I spent years on stage with musical theater experience and I've been dancing since the age 5, but there really was no comparison to standing on stage singing material that I wrote, these performances launched me into the next level of fulfillment."
Several lyric filled journals, melody jammed recorders, and countless challenges filled Zuri with the intense determination and passion to write an album. She has spent the past year working with the multi-talented Mike K (Nelly Furtado, Natasha Bedingfield, Krystal Meyers, Hayden Panettiere) who co-wrote, performed, recorded and produced “My Number One.” When asked about the content of the album she says,” I had been writing about my pain in my songs for several years, I really moved away from writing about the past and wrote more about my present life on this album, I had a blast!” Zuri is lyrically influenced by poets such as Rumi and musically inspired by hip-hop, soul, and pop icons. The album has some fantastic collaborations with writing from Zuri Allen Star, Mike K., D.J. Trust, and Dolena K. and performances by Zuri, Mike K., Dolena K., Ashley Garland, Excel, D.J. Trust, Drummer Randy Cooke, and keyboardists Kevin “Toad” Saulnier and Dapo Torimiro.
When asked about her vision for her career she says she titled this album, “My Number One,” because she wants to be clear that she’s just beginning to make her mark. She’s currently writing for herself and other artists, further studying piano and guitar, and perfecting her performance skills. “I would love to continue writing, performing and growing in this passion of mine, I’m making baby waves in comparison to where I’ll be at album number 10. I love hearing my voice as it leaves my lips and I’ve known since I was very young it’s what I wanted to do with my life. It’s really what I love most about this life.”
This singer, songwriter, performer is rising above the noise and has been noted as a pop siren in the past few months with great reviews of her single “Walk With Me”, numerous counts of recognition as a songwriter, and is receiving a lot of major industry interest.
Bio and interview conducted and written by Kool S. Productions
Zuri began writing lyrics and melodies shortly after one of her brothers passed away at age 6. She remembers growing up with a lot of blues and soul music in her household. Recalling “after so much crying it seemed that singing was such a better release of my emotions and it appeared to make those around me happier.”
Around the age of 10 Zuri began taking voice and piano lessons to fulfill her desire to be a well-rounded performer. Her passion and strong willed personality kept her singing and performing throughout the years. Zuri says, “singing to me was such a vital necessity, like eating for others. I can always tell when I haven’t been singing, I’m super moody, feisty, and I end up feeling like I’m choking. It’s around this time I usually write these powerful lyrics and then the voice comes out and I’m straight again.”
Zuri sang with numerous bands both as lead and back up, as well as fronting her own cover band that played at local clubs. At age 17 she formed a trio that she co-wrote with and performed some of her first original songs. Zuri said "I spent years on stage with musical theater experience and I've been dancing since the age 5, but there really was no comparison to standing on stage singing material that I wrote, these performances launched me into the next level of fulfillment."
Several lyric filled journals, melody jammed recorders, and countless challenges filled Zuri with the intense determination and passion to write an album. She has spent the past year working with the multi-talented Mike K (Nelly Furtado, Natasha Bedingfield, Krystal Meyers, Hayden Panettiere) who co-wrote, performed, recorded and produced “My Number One.” When asked about the content of the album she says,” I had been writing about my pain in my songs for several years, I really moved away from writing about the past and wrote more about my present life on this album, I had a blast!” Zuri is lyrically influenced by poets such as Rumi and musically inspired by hip-hop, soul, and pop icons. The album has some fantastic collaborations with writing from Zuri Allen Star, Mike K., D.J. Trust, and Dolena K. and performances by Zuri, Mike K., Dolena K., Ashley Garland, Excel, D.J. Trust, Drummer Randy Cooke, and keyboardists Kevin “Toad” Saulnier and Dapo Torimiro.
When asked about her vision for her career she says she titled this album, “My Number One,” because she wants to be clear that she’s just beginning to make her mark. She’s currently writing for herself and other artists, further studying piano and guitar, and perfecting her performance skills. “I would love to continue writing, performing and growing in this passion of mine, I’m making baby waves in comparison to where I’ll be at album number 10. I love hearing my voice as it leaves my lips and I’ve known since I was very young it’s what I wanted to do with my life. It’s really what I love most about this life.”
This singer, songwriter, performer is rising above the noise and has been noted as a pop siren in the past few months with great reviews of her single “Walk With Me”, numerous counts of recognition as a songwriter, and is receiving a lot of major industry interest.
Bio and interview conducted and written by Kool S. Productions
ZStar's Achievements
Feature on AOL Music
May 2008 Battle for the Roo
May 2008 Pop
May 2008 Contemporary/Soft Rock
More LOVE from AOL and Ourstage.. woo hoo
Today I’m featured on AOL Popeater.. thanks to Ourstage.. You can check it out here… http://www.popeater.com/2008/06/18/ourstage-snapshot-zuri-allen-star
I’m still up on AOL Music too click below or paste the url.. http://music.aol.com/artist/genre/pop
Let’s chat tonight.. 5:30 pm pst http://www.ourstage.com/partyline/zstar
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74 comments
Mike
Frantz
Have great success and God Bless...
Mario G
Thanks for the friendship. There is some great stuff going on here! Keep it up!
- BTS
luv the stuff btw why ur still independent is beyond us
TYB
i hope by that ur not implying our stuff is a load of bullocks :p
TYB
You know I love ya!
Great music and thanx for the freindship!!
Good Luck,
Dole
All the best to you,
Kevin Carr
You're very beautiful on top of that! See you in the judges chambers.
Thanks for being a friend. Best wishes to you always.
Regards,
Darrell Morris
Ewen
I miss thee also... I am coming to the judges chambers. There shall be a Riot I say!!
*Mwah*
Good life!
Drop over anytime.
Best,
Cindy
Manager/ Reality Addiction
New fan here...
Best,
Alyssa
good to be friends
mike fanz
It's official.. Kelley and Meagan.. checking in.. Soon this site will be filled with Team Shine for Zuri Allen Star members.. now that we've figured out how everything works.. lol. We are CRAZY about you!!!
kiss kiss, K & M
Your #1 FAN,
Mario G
We are into your music...GREAT
PD
I'm sure I'll rap with ya again soon!
-Steve
Stay in touch ... and Be Safe.
Your,
Word Man in Athens
ps. See ya in the Judge's Chambers .. LoL!
Best of luck knock em' dead sexy!!! Love ya, M
With Lotsa Luv from Greece,
Your one and only Word Man
-TBP
Great music please write more. Great voice!
Steven
Cheers!
Best wishes from Scotland
Alan
Have a great day!!
-James
JUST STOPPING BY TO SHOW SOME LOVE.
HOPE ALL IS GOING WELL.
GOOD LUCK TO YOU.
DICARLO
I JUST LOVE YOU!! YOU ARE MUSICALLY DELICIOUS!!!
ALL THE BEST TO YOU!
LOLxoxoxo
DAVID (YOUR PIANO WIZARD) KELLY
Peace~
1 Voyce
You got edge girl! woah! Love it! Have a great week! Stay LOUD All the best, Dave Pep
You got edge girl! woah! Love it! Have a great week! Stay LOUD All the best, Dave Pep
You have a different provocative edgy attitude in your deliverance, You're totally original, YOU TOTALLY ROCK!
Thank you for your friendship and support as it means everything! I Live and Breathe for the Music!
I hope you enjoy my new CD release of "Drama" A Mood enhancing instrumental Piano Keyboard Roller Coaster Ride with a wicked little twist? Enjoy!
sincerely,
David Kelly
Sincerely,
Arioch