Zantelly
In an era where trends shift overnight and authenticity is becoming increasingly rare, Jamaican-born artist Zantelly is carving his own lane with fearless consistency, conscious energy, and a sound deeply rooted in culture while reaching far beyond borders.
During an electrifying and deeply insightful conversation on The Booth Radio Live hosted by TrapGAD alongside co-hosts Fela Tuff Soul of Tuff Buzz Entertainment, Ash Cash, and Kirv TopBoss, the rising artist opened up about his journey from Drapers, Portland in Jamaica to stages across Canada — revealing not only the grind behind the music, but the spirit that fuels it.
What unfolded was more than an interview. It was a raw testimony of sacrifice, resilience, discipline, and artistic purpose.
A Sound Born in the Heart of Jamaica
Growing up in Drapers, Portland, Zantelly described music as something inseparable from Jamaican life itself.
With sound systems booming through the community and music flowing through everyday culture, his passion developed naturally from a young age. Influenced by reggae and dancehall icons such as Capleton, Buju Banton, Anthony B, Sean Paul and Barrington Levy, he quickly became fascinated not just by lyrics, but by stage command, crowd control, and the spiritual energy music could create.
At just 14 years old, Zantelly won a local music competition — a defining moment that confirmed music was more than a hobby.
But unlike many artists chasing hype, his mindset remained grounded.
“I’m not better than anybody,” he explained during the interview. “Everybody has their own sound. I just wanted to find mine.”
That humility would later become one of his strongest assets.
Listen : Zantelly Presents The Message Reggae Mixtape (Mixed by DjAk) 2025
More Than an Artist — A Survivor
One of the most powerful moments of the interview came when Zantelly spoke candidly about the realities independent artists face behind the scenes.
Now living in Canada after migrating shortly before the COVID era, he explained that balancing music, fatherhood, bills, performances, recording sessions, and survival has required relentless sacrifice.
The artist revealed that he currently works two jobs while still recording consistently, performing live, selling merchandise, and investing heavily into his craft independently.
“You can’t stop,” he said passionately. “The bills don’t stop. The dream doesn’t stop either.”
Rather than complain, Zantelly channels that pressure into productivity. His strategy is simple: stay active, stay recording, stay evolving.
That mentality is reflected in his massive catalog — a catalog he considers essential in today’s digital music era.
According to him, versatility and consistency are what separate surviving artists from forgotten ones.
Listen : Zantelly - Rapture (intro on the message mixtape 2024)
Conscious Music in a Controversial Era
While modern dancehall often leans heavily into negativity, hypersexualization, violence, and fraud culture, Zantelly intentionally maintains balance in his music.
And his reasoning struck a chord with listeners worldwide.
“My mother is Christian,” he explained. “I still want my family to listen to my music.”
That perspective revealed the deeper philosophy behind his artistry.
Though capable of creating energetic dance records and street anthems, Zantelly remains intentional about protecting substance within his catalog. His music carries themes of celebration, struggle, perseverance, spirituality, and upliftment without abandoning entertainment value.
It is precisely that balance that has allowed him to resonate with both younger audiences and older generations alike.
In fact, one of the most memorable stories he shared involved performing in Ottawa during a Jamaican celebration where elderly attendees rose from their seats — some with walking sticks in hand — dancing joyfully in the rain during his performance.
For him, moments like those matter more than numbers.
“That energy,” he said, “that’s everything.”
Watch : Zantelly X universal impress - empress designer (visual) (2026)
The Power of Live Performance
Throughout the interview, one thing became crystal clear: Zantelly lives for the stage.
Whether discussing performing alongside artists like Richie Spice, Tommy Lee Sparta, Governor, and Josie Wales or speaking about the spiritual energy of live instrumentation, his passion for performance radiated through every answer.
To him, live music creates a frequency that recorded tracks simply cannot replicate.
“When the instruments start playing live,” he explained, “it sends energy through people differently.”
That philosophy explains why his performances have become known for crowd interaction, nonstop movement, and emotional connection.
At one point during the conversation, he revealed he once performed nonstop for one hour and forty-five minutes — purely feeding off audience energy.
And judging by the reaction from the hosts themselves, it’s easy to understand why his live performances continue building momentum internationally.
Listen: Zantelly - Nissan Rogue(dancehall 2025 fast & furious riddim prod by #countreehype.)
A Global Mindset with Caribbean Roots
Despite now being based in Canada, Zantelly remains deeply connected to Jamaica and Caribbean culture.
He spoke passionately about staying updated with new sounds, slang, artists, and musical movements back home while simultaneously embracing Afrobeat, soca, reggae fusion, and international influences.
Artists such as Wizkid and Patoranking were credited as major inspirations for his Afro-fusion direction.
This openness to musical evolution has helped him create a sound that feels both Jamaican and global simultaneously.
During the interview, he also revealed ongoing collaborations spanning Ghana, Haiti, Guadeloupe, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States — further proving his international ambitions are already in motion.
And when Africa was mentioned?
The excitement was immediate.
“We want to come to Africa bad,” he said enthusiastically.
Watch : Zantelly - Stand Up (Official Music Video 2024)
Authenticity Above Everything
Perhaps the most important takeaway from the interview was Zantelly’s unwavering commitment to authenticity.
When asked what advice he would give to young artists feeling overlooked, his response was immediate and powerful:
“Be yourself.”
No gimmicks. No pretending. No chasing identities that don’t belong to you.
Just authenticity, confidence, discipline, and persistence.
That message echoed throughout the entire conversation.
Whether speaking about music, survival, performance, or success, Zantelly consistently returned to one core principle: remain genuine and keep working.
And that mentality may very well be the reason his rise feels inevitable.
Listen: Zantelly -Superwoman
The Future Looks Global
With new releases, international collaborations, upcoming performances in Canada, Belize, and Brazil, plus ambitions of eventually touching African soil, Zantelly’s trajectory continues pointing upward.
More importantly, he represents something increasingly valuable in modern music: substance mixed with versatility.
He can create dance records.
He can perform conscious reggae.
He can blend Afrobeat influences.
He can command live stages.
And above all, he understands people.
That combination is rare.
As the interview concluded with unreleased music previews and powerful reflections about faith, hard work, and perseverance, one thing became undeniable:
Zantelly is not simply chasing fame.
He is building legacy.
Interview Credits
Hosted by TrapGAD
Co-Hosted by Fela Tuff Soul (Tuff Buzz), Ash Cash & Kirv TopBoss
Platform: The Booth Radio Live
Sponsors
Tuff Buzz Entertainment
Natty Yard Bashment
Yardie Sessions
Team 4K Shooters
Rasta Bread Man Company
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