Zanni looks to ‘Rise Again’

Dancehall fusion artiste Zanni doesn't know how to quit and that is why she is banking on her latest single, Rise Again.

"The song is meant to be an inspiration for my journey and, hopefully, an inspiration to others going through their own trials and tribulations," said the artiste, whose given name is Suzanne Parkins.

The spunky singer penned the song at a time when she was experiencing deep, personal struggles and crippling self-doubt.

"But at the same time, there was this unwavering determination to keep going. No matter how hopeless I felt, I never wanted to give up, and that feeling is what I put into the song," she explained.

Zanni has carved out a reputation for fusing R&B, dancehall, soul and reggae into an eclectic mix.

"I'm not your typical dancehall artiste, so my sound and image are less hardcore than what is usually expected. I love hardcore dancehall but when it comes to my music, I prefer to be more suggestive and metaphoric," she said.

She scored a radio hit a few years ago with Lifestyle Party.

Zanni grew up captivated by music, enthralled by her mother's love for the storytelling styles of country and western songs and her father's obsession with soul music. Even though Zanni wanted to start a music career right after high school, her mother had other plans. She insisted that Zanni attend the University of Technology, where she earned a bachelor's degree in hospitality and tourism management. After just two years in the working world, she began her pursuit of a career in music.

"I've always loved to sing and dance, and took every opportunity of being a part of various school productions, among others. While everyone was saying they wanted to be a lawyer or doctor, I was saying I wanted to be a singer. I just knew that's what I wanted to do," she said.

She got her first break with D.A.M Rude Records in 2011, where she was able to release her first single, How I Like It, featuring Blaze, landing her a debut performance at Jonkunu Lounge. She has worked with various producers over the years, and she is compiling songs for an upcoming EP.