Zachary Campos is an MC, singer, and songwriter from San Jose, California. His music is a unique combination of old-school hip-hop from the 1980s, classic punk rock from the 1970s, and indie rock from the 2000s.
Zachary has refined his skills while delighting a variety of audiences by performing at assisted living facilities and wineries for a living.
His music is genuine and accessible, drawing from his environment and life experiences. He extends an invitation to his listeners to accompany him on a resilient and self-discovering journey with every song, one moving verse at a time.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zacharycamposmusic?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@zacharycampos/channels
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/00Q3iOBqsEr0SN1OqXX7rI
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/zachary-campos/1660382666
His new alternative hip-hop album Funky MC will be out on March 29th, 2024. Funky MC is a mix of old-school rap and classic punk rock. The first song “Scorching” will be released as a single this Friday, March 22nd, 2024.
Interview by Tim Brown
When and why did you start performing?
I began my music journey at the age of 14 when I began doing theater for my high school. Throughout high school, I went from being cast in ensemble roles, to supporting roles with a few lines, and eventually began landing lead roles. At the age of 18 I started to learn the piano. Not long after I began writing my own music. A couple of years later I picked up the ukulele and the rest is history.
Who are your biggest musical influences?
My biggest influences are the Beastie Boys, Johnny Cash, the Ramones, Jim Croce, Rakim, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, LL COOL J, Pink Floyd, and James Taylor.
What are your favorite albums of all time?
My favorite albums of all time are the Beastie Boys – Check Your Head, Pink Floyd – The Dark Side Of The Moon, Rakim – The Master, Jim Croce – You Don’t Mess Around With Jim, and Johnny Cash – Live at Folsom Prison.
What is your favorite music-related memory?
My favorite music-related memory is of scratching turntables when I was a kid. Good times.
Do you perform in public?
I make my living performing at assisted living facilities and wineries around San Jose, California and Stockton, California. I love to perform and set out to give my audience a different show each time I get on the mic.
What does music mean to you?
Music means the world to me. It’s all I think about and is my greatest passion in life. My goal with music is to create tracks that I myself would listen to. I want to be just like the artists that influence me and hope to influence others in a positive way as well.
Outside of music, what else do you enjoy doing?
Outside of music, I love to read and play video games. My favorite books are Meditations by Marcus Aurelius and The Mastery Of Love by Don Miguel Ruiz. As for video games, I’m a huge fan of Bomb Rush Cyberfunk and Jet Set Radio Future.
Tell us about your latest project!
My latest project is a 10-minute 10-song alternative hip-hop album titled Funky MC. It contains elements of old-school hip-hop, classic punk rock, and indie rock. The songs themselves were written efficiently and with a clear sense of direction. I knew exactly what I wanted the project to sound like before I stepped foot into the studio. I had the time of my life recording it and couldn’t be happier with the end result.
What are your plans for the future?
Not too long ago I found out that I’m going to be a father this fall. My plans for the future are to be a good father to my child, a good partner to my girlfriend, a good son to my parents, a good brother to my sister, a good uncle to my niece, and to live a peaceful life.
M.T.V.rock 