Finest Freshman: Zakee Simmons

Zakee Simmons is a freshman Audio Production major from Durham, NC and recently became a member of Gentelligence. Zakee shares his passion for music everywhere he goes, as he enjoys writing music, singing, and DJ’ing. You can often find him around campus humming a melody or singing. Ladies, if you love a guy who can sing, Zakee is your guy!

HC: Why did you choose Hampton University?

ZS: Hampton University was the first school that accepted me and I didn’t feel like going through the stage of being overwhelmed to pick one school. I just went with Hampton to eliminate the process.

HC: How has the transition been going from HS to College so far?

ZS: It’s been different. In high school, I always had someone to wake me up, but here it’s difficult waking up at 7 in the morning by yourself and not having someone to wake you up. It’s also a different kind of workload. Everything is on you, you have no help, it’s just you.

HC: How was your first Homecoming?

ZS: My first homecoming was alright, I’m not really a party person. It was cool, the football team won, that’s all I was really anticipating for. I went to Trap Gala and I went to the Race because I had to DJ. it was pretty fun though. I was also the pre-host for the Homecoming Fashion Show.

HC: When did you know that you were musically inclined?

ZS: When I was about 3-years-old, I was at my grandmother’s house and she would always play Michael Jackson and I would always sing or dance to it. Then when I was 5, my god-father taught me how to DJ from there I just stuck with it. Over time I started writing music and singing.

HC: If you could do a collaborate with anyone who would it be?

ZS: I would collaborate with Chris Brown, Brandi, or Beyonce.

HC: What is your favorite song on the Chris Brown’s new album and Why?

ZS: Confidence. Me being a songwriter, I pay attention to the words and how he uses his melodies to get across his point of the song. I thought it was very unique.

HC: Describe your ideal spouse.

ZS: LIKE MY MOMMA! *laughs*, Beautiful, responsible, funny, very caring, generous. Very hard working and passionate about what she does. She has to be a believer in Christ.

HC: Would you consider yourself a ladies man?

ZS: No!

HC: How would you describe your sense of style?

ZS: Different. A lot of people that I know or that I am around don’t dress up a lot, and I dress up just because. Most people would see me and say “What ‘cha got going on?” or “What you about to do?” I’ll say nothing, my styles just different. I wear a lot of blazers, Cole Hanns, different styles of bowties to match either my shirt or my shoes and I always have to wear a watch.

HC: How do you balance staying physically fit now that you are a college student?

ZS: I played football throughout my whole life, so I just continue to work out, go to the gym, do drills on the field. Thursday’s and Friday’s are my weakest days where I don’t have a lot of work or classes so I work out then.

HC: How do you feel about the recent HBCU Homecoming shootings at Norfolk State University?

ZS:  I don’t think anyone deserves to get shot, let alone on a college campus. There’s no one doing badly on a college campus, so why take trouble to a positive place.

HC: What would you like to accomplish during your years at Hampton University?

ZS: I would really love to travel/explore the world and meet different people from all over the world. Make great connections and great friends that’ll hopefully turn into family. I would also like to accomplish hosting and throwing parties.

Be sure to follow on Instagram & Twitter @officialzakee and check out his SoundCloud: Zakee Simmons!

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