Growing up in Wilmington, Delaware, Honcho Zay describes his childhood as a pretty typical upbringing. Raised by his mother alongside his three siblings, he also had heavily involved grandparents who played an important role in his life. Although his family experienced the everyday struggles that came with growing up in the hood, his mother made sure they never felt like they were missing anything. Losing his grandfather, affectionately known as Poppop, in 2015 was a major moment for the family, but the foundation they built together has stayed with him.
Music has been part of Honcho Zay’s life for as long as he can remember. He jokes that he was writing gangster raps in his school notebooks as early as elementary school, even getting in trouble with teachers for it. By high school, he was recording music with friends and uploading songs to SoundCloud. Although the passion was always there, he didn’t begin taking music seriously until after leaving college.
Growing up, Honcho Zay was heavily influenced by Meek Mill, whom he considers his favorite artist, along with the many lyricists coming out of Philadelphia. He also paid close attention to Delaware’s own music scene. Watching local artists build their names and create opportunities inspired him to become part of that movement. He wanted his own entry into what he describes as a VIP club of artists representing Delaware.
When it comes to his sound, Honcho Zay has developed his own way of describing what he brings to the table. While he once viewed himself strictly as a lyricist, he now considers himself the type of rapper who creates the music people already imagine themselves making. Those freestyles in the hotbox, the random bars people record for social media, and those moments when you feel like you have something worth saying are all things he understands. The difference is that he turns those ideas, feelings, and charisma into complete records.
Over the years, he’s continued developing his sound through sessions at Base and a studio in Maryland where he’s recently started recording. He also prefers working with one engineer, allowing him to create wherever the opportunity presents itself as long as his trusted collaborator is there.
Outside of music, Bancroft Park was one of the main places that shaped his younger years. Like many kids growing up in the neighborhood, he and his friends spent countless days and nights there, chasing their basketball dreams and believing they were all destined for the NBA. He also spent time traveling throughout Delaware, from Wilmington to Dover, usually alongside the same circle of friends.
Today, Honcho Zay is focused on getting his latest body of work, “Ran Outta Storage,” in front of more listeners. The project currently has a free 13-song version available through Untitled and SoundCloud, along with a 20-song version available for purchase and download. His approach is simple: he doesn’t believe in throwaway music. If you’ve run out of storage, it’s time to put the music out. His previous single, “Mortal Kombat,” released in March, is also part of his recent catalog.
As he continues pushing his music and building his name, Honcho Zay makes it clear that he understands the importance of the people who have been there along the way. He gives thanks to God first, along with his brothers Freak and $b, who have been alongside him chasing the same dream for years. He also shows love to the friends who support him outside of music, from showing up to every performance to checking in whenever they can.
Above everything, his family remains his foundation. His appreciation for his mother and siblings is clear, and he stands by the belief that no matter what happens, they will always find a way to get through it together.
