Zeddy Will is a rising star in the game. With his undeniable charisma, infectious personality, and tireless work ethic, the sky’s the limit for the multi-talented 21-year-old.
A native of Queensbridge, Zeddy is an influencer, actor, and rapper on his way to leaving a major imprint in the entertainment industry. His meteoric rise has catapulted him from the streets of New York to becoming one of the most sought-after personalities on social media.
As a popular content creator, Zeddy has amassed a massive following of millions on TikTok and Instagram and is now ready to take the music industry by storm.
Already known for his viral song “Freak You” and his most recent song “Cha Cha,” a remake of the late DJ Casper’s classic line dance song, had been moving rapidly up the making an impact at number 13 on Billboard’s TikTok Chart. Also, currently trending as the number one YouTube “Artist on the Rise.”
BET.com spoke with Zeddy about growing up in Queensbridge, creating his viral hit, the truth about his baby mothers, and his advice for upcoming influencers.
BET.com: You were born in Queensbridge which is known for producing some of the greatest stars in hip-hop. How was it growing up there?
Zeddy Will: Queensbridge was fun as a kid. My mom was a dance teacher and everybody knew that if I did anything wrong to give her the report and she would give me a beating [Laughs]. Everybody would tell on me if I was doing something wrong. She was making sure I stayed out of trouble. I played on the playgrounds there and went to schools out there but we left right before high school when my mom moved us to Harlem. When I go back, they always show love just like they did when I was younger, and they are just proud of me. So I love Queenbridge. That’s where it all started.
BET:com: There are so many legends in rap music that come from Queensbridge. How does it feel to be a part of that legacy?
Zeddy Will: So when I started making music, I found out that Nas and MC Shan were from the same neighborhood and classic albums like Illmatic came from the same place. Now I feel like it’s more for me to do because we didn’t have anyone from Queensbridge on the scene in a long time. So, I just feel like I have more of a responsibility to put the bridge on my back and keep the legacy going. That’s what I’m trying to do, and I’m having fun with it. It means a lot to me and I’m just trying to carry it on.
BET.com: I read that you attended Howard University. How was it to attend an HBCU?
Zeddy Will: I went to Howard for my freshman year, and that was the best. It was one of the best years of my life. I was 19 years old and the culture was so amazing and interesting. There were a lot of ups and downs, but that’s just college. But the people were so supportive, and it was just fun. I loved the girls [Laughs]. That was my main thing. Class was a vibe, too. saw people dressing up with their best shoes and crazy outfits just to go to class for 45 minutes. I already had the Instagram and the TikTok fame, so it was just extra fun. I loved being at my dorms, and I’m glad I had the normal experience as a college kid. I was on a track team as well. I was waking up for practice at six in the morning. I was just doing normal things that a normal college athlete would do.
BET.com: Who are some of your biggest influences that inspired you to pursue a music career?
Zeddy Will: On the entertainment side, I love Will Smith and Jim Carrey. The Mask is one of my favorite movies. Will Smith being from where he’s from, but not being a product of his environment, inspired me as a kid from New York. On the music side, I love Eminem. He’s just amazing. My favorite artist right now is 21 Savage. I just love his story. I love his love for his mother, which is the same love I got from my mother. He is different.
BET:com: “Cha Cha” has blown up everywhere. What was the creative process behind reworking the song?
Zeddy Will: Originally, my mom gave me the beat. I already knew what the “Cha Cha Slide” was but when she said, “You’re going out the On a Radar platform and I think you should be different because you are different. So you need to do this right here.” At first, I was hesitant and I didn’t want rap over this beat. I didn’t think it would resonate because it was old school. My mom said nobody was doing this type of stuff, and I was going to kill it. The delivery on the song is just me, and you’ll be hearing those types of bars for the rest of my music career. It’s just about having fun. I didn’t think too hard about it because it was originally a freestyle. So I just did my thing and it turned out to be what it was. The kids love it, the grown folks love it, and everybody’s rockin’ with it.
BET.com: When did you know the song had taken off?
Zeddy Will: On the first day on Instagram and YouTube, the reactions were crazy. I think the video had about 100K views on the first day. I was like, “This is something different.” I didn’t know it would do this. I thought the first freestyle I did would go, but this was different.
BET.com: Along with the “Cha Cha,” you received much attention lately for people thinking you had a baby shower for your five expecting mothers. Did you think the PR stunt would take off the way it did?
Zeddy Will: [Laughs] Noooooo! There’s no way I would have five baby mommas. BTS was published on social media, and the news took off running. Don’t believe everything you see on the internet.
BET:com: You just released the official video for “Cha Cha Slide,” and your career has How have you been able to manage your success?
Zeddy Will: I feel like the two of the biggest things for me are just knowing how fast everything can go and not forgetting my day job. Chanel and the rest of my team helped me remember that I have to write and create songs no matter what else I have going on. I’m always in the studio. I’m in here making songs every day. I think the second biggest thing is staying loyal to the people who got me to the point. I’m sticking with them and trusting them because they always believed in me. Although I have had some success, I have a long way to go. But with this little success, I won’t start bugging out. I’m just staying the course.
BET.com: What advice would you give young influencers and creatives who want to make a name for themselves in the industry?
Zeddy Will: It’s hard for people to enter another realm and keep being themselves. If you continue to be yourself and keep doing what you were doing to get your fans originally, they will transfer over with you. Your music has got to be who you are because it’s harder for them to follow you if it’s not who you are. My main advice would be to stick to your own content. I originally was a comedian, but my music isn’t that far off from that. I’m still saying some funny stuff that resonates with my audience. I’m not making music about shooting people or running around in the street [Laughs]. Also, ask for help. That’s a big thing, too. I always ask influences who have more followers than me for help. We can’t be afraid to learn from someone else.