ZinaXkae On the Making Of “Nonstop”
What was the creative process for this particular song?
At the time I was bouncing around a lot — living out of my car, working jobs that were way outside my skill set, recording wherever I could: friends’ houses, audio stores, even ducking into Barnes & Noble when I needed space to think. Eventually I took a leap of faith, left my grandmother’s place, and pushed myself into uncomfortable territory because I knew staying in the same environment would hold me back. A year later, I finally got my own spot, and that’s where Non-Stop was born. The mindset was simple: “Screw it — let’s make this rap thing work.”
What impact do you hope Non-Stop will have on your audience?
I want people to understand that music isn’t just entertainment — it’s art. In art you can play the hero, but you can also play the villain to show people hard truths. Non-Stop represents the darker side of capitalism: how certain jobs — delivery driving, cash-based hustles, service work — can drain the most genuine people and twist them into something they don’t want to be. It’s not anti-capitalist; it’s a mirror held up to the grind.
What was your favorite moment in making the music video?
The final scene. I reveal my real-life self against the character I created — bat over my shoulder, an unhinged grin as I back away from the camera. The transitions in that moment gave me nostalgia, like an old-school MTV video. It hammered home everything I wanted the song to say.
How would you describe your musical style or genre?
I’d call it hip-hop at the core, but I bend it with trap and EDM frequencies that most rappers don’t use. Each track is its own experiment — different tones, different styles. I never want to box myself in. I like the idea that I sound like a whole different person every time.
Where do you find inspiration for your songs or musical ideas?
Life outside. That’s the simplest way to put it. Working jobs, going to kickbacks, shooting pool, hitting arcades, even showing up in spaces that make me uncomfortable — that’s where the stories come from. The more you live, the sharper your music becomes. My advice to young artists: go outside. Life will give you the lessons your songs need.
